It’s the summer holidays and all the kids are off, the screaming has started.  Or to be more precise the screaming has started from one child.  It has been the same for the last three years.  At the back of my house a private road leads to the garages for the houses on the other side.  A group of kids play on this private road, this is sensible because it keeps them safe from traffic.  But there is the screamer, I do not know who she is, but she is deeply annoying and she returns every year.  I know it is tempting for people to say ‘ah, but they are only children they have to be free to express themselves’, usually this is said by the unaffected.

The rest of the children’s voices coming from the back road are low key and unobtrusive, they are just having fun.  The screamer however plays at a different pitch, a cross between a scream and a shout delivered relentlessly at 120db.  If she were a machine the local council would force the parents to electronically suppress her for breaking health and safety regulations.

Well, after listening to the little darling for three hours non-stop, I started to ponder the difference between the rest of the kids and this one girl.  Why does she scream at everything when the rest do not?  Why is she always on the edge of hysteria and apparently winding herself up?  From a Chi Kung point of view she is not grounded and lives up in her head, not a good place to be.  So will she grow out of it?  Maybe, but I wouldn’t count on it.  Quite often you see adults with exactly the same symptoms as the screamer, always a little out of control and on the edge.

So What’s the Answer?

Tai Chi and Chi Kung of course!  The very nature of Tai Chi moves from the centre (Tan Tien) 5cm below the umbilical.  This causes the energy to sink and you become very aware of the mid torso area.  Just being quietly aware of this area is an indication that your energy is sunk and is where it should be.  Energy was never meant to live up in your head all of the time and needs to be anchored down. 

Keeping Your Head

I am sure you have heard the phrase “he/she lost their head”, now you know why it happens.  Interestingly I did a seminar with the Professional Speakers Association and the presenter taught us that before she speaks, she sinks her concentration to her Tan Tien midpoint area to calm any pre performance nerves. 

To a very calm and centred week.

Kind Regards,

John Hine

Ps I can feel someone thinking why didn’t he tell the parents about living up in your head.  Been there, done that and have got the tee shirt.  Most people look at you as if you are on something at best and a know it all busy body at worst.