Living on the Mountain has introduced me to my first experience of splitting wood with a splitting axe. After the initial struggling and periods of exhaustion, I began to relax and to see how using various Tai Chi principles increased the efficiency & safety of this chore. It also made it more enjoyable, so I'd like to share my thoughts with you.
Once you have: safely set up your piece of wood securely on a stable supporting block of wood; know where the axe blade should strike by reading the visual, tactile, sound cues; have used enough muscular force to lift the axe high enough in readiness for the arcing downward swing - you are now ready to tap into the profound art of Tai Chi (Chuan). It is in the downward swing & instant of impact where the Tai Chi principles can be used to great effect for the amateur, elderly, or weaker wood splitter.
To initiate the downward circular swing, the movement comes from your “base” (feet, legs, hips) in a slight “sinking” action where your "mind-intention" sinks into the ground under both feet, the hips simultaneously turn from an angle (as you lift your axe from one side) to face square on the target the instant before impact. At all times you should keep your weight spread across the soles of both feet and feel as if both feet/ankles were “grounded in mud.” And all your ankles, knees, hips, spine, elbows should be slightly bent but relaxed and “open”. In Tai Chi when one thing moves, everything moves as if the whole body is “connected", so you experience that initial force generated from the ground through your “base” up your body, down your arms, through your hands to the tip of the axe blade - as the arc unfolds. It's important to keep the back, shoulders and arms relaxed (somewhat elastic) as you swing and not tensed with aggressive intention. So as you are about to make impact, sink your shoulders & elbows amplifying the centripetal force in a relaxed fashion. Keep the swing in the mid-line. And on impact keep your grip on the axe handle “light”& relaxed so as to avoid impact forces shooting back into your wrists. Also on impact simultaneously sink your mind down into the ground under both feet and aim through the piece of wood to the desired point below. Your intention should be less of “smashing” than of “slicing through”.
Powerfully built men & experienced splitters may do it differently but I found using these Tai Chi Chuan principles in the downward swing to be more productive, accurate, energy conserving, and preventative against aches & pains – especially in the back muscles and wrist for someone who doesn't want to rely on brute strength, enjoy.
Lee Chang Tye
Instructor - "Relaxed Mind Tai Chi'