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Silk reeling is at the centre of Tai Chi training, helping the student to develop strength, co-ordination, body awareness, unity in movement, relaxation and grounding. Also known as Chan Si Gong; Chan (pulling), Si (silk) and Gong (skill achieved through applied effort).

The quality of silk reeling is where the body coils and spirals within itself. The feet, legs, torso and arms moving through positive and negative circles and spirals connecting the body deeply through the connective tissue. Quality means how you hold yourself in your Tai Chi practice, rather than the bigger shape, it is an internal quality. 

Silk reeling exercises are a series of repetitive movements performed on both the left and right side of the body that include; circling, curving and figure 8 movements, whole body relaxation, Dantian rotation, soft opening and closing of the Kua, expansion and compression of the joints, mobilizes and elasticizing the connective tissue, smooth weight shifting, appropriate body alignment, relaxed waist involvement with coiling limbs, a rooted lower body and diaphragmatic breath work.

The coiling action of silk reeling creates a spiraling internal force, used for power in Tai Chi Chuan. What sits at the heart of an effective coiling action is relaxation (fang song) of the whole body and a rooted structure. In silk reeling exercises the whole body moves as one continual spiraling unit driven from the waist/Dantian through the feet and legs. At any level of training Tai Chi, silk reeling drills are of great importance. How you move in silk reeling is how you move in the Tai Chi form, both are interdependent on each other. Training silk reeling drills is a life long skill to improve your Tai Chi form.