YOGA: Ujjayi Method, Cross-Over in Kick

[Summary: I present a method for incorporating a powerful yogic breathing protocol into a Tai Chi framework, for more practical execution than yoga with more accelerated IP intensification.]

One of the most powerful drills presented in the book Bare Metal Minimality is the Tai Chi “heel kick” (Lotus Kick), Chapter 10 - Separate Foot (Note that the ‘Separate Foot’ kick is not the same as ‘Lotus’ or Heel Kick, but the more advanced Heel version is mentioned and taught at the very end of Chapter 10).

Given that I actually did include a pose from Ashtanga Yoga’s 1st Series in the BMM book (Downward Dog) and explained how we can infuse that with Tai Chi principles as an IP engine, the question may arise: why not directly use the Yoga equivalent to the Tai Chi heel kick as the basis? That would be Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana, as shown on the left above.

I could have, because there’s a very powerful Yoga breath protocol that fits together with this kind of single leg kick absolutely perfectly, hand and glove. However, in this case, using the Tai Chi style kick (right side above) as the basis for doing the Yoga breathwork gives far more powerful results.

I will now explain and instruct you how to work the combo of a Yoga breath protocol in the framework of the Tai Chi. Remember at all times that our goal here is strictly IP cultivation - not any of the ‘normal’ mainly physical or psych benefits of Yoga per se.