Spontaneous movement

Spontaneous movement is one of the most important elements of Taijiwuxigong. We are barely aware that spontaneous movement is part of our daily lives. With every moment we live various parts of our body have spontaneous movement. The pumping of the heart, the breathing and the peristaltic movement of stomach and intestines are all examples of this ‘natural spontaneous movement’. All organs have spontaneous movements; if these movements stopped, we would die! Apart from these kinds of spontaneous movement, practice of Taijiwuxigong can result in spontaneous movements. We call this phenomenon ‘induced spontaneous movement’. In this text the term ‘spontaneous movement’ will always refer to ‘induced spontaneous movement’.

Exercise using a special body posture, in combination with a specific way of breathing and mental attitude or target, can result in a spontaneous movement. Usually, this starts with vibrations in the legs or the lower abdomen. These vibrations will increase as a result of practice and spread throughout the entire body. You may feel changes occurring in respiration, body fluid movement and emotions. These reactions are also referred to as ‘spontaneous reactions’.