[Martial Arts] 7 degrees in the early morning, sweating in summer clothes

Author: Jeffi Chao Hui Wu

Time: 2025-7-17 Thursday, 5:50 AM

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[Martial Arts] Sweating in Summer Clothes at 7 Degrees in the Early Morning
More than a month into winter, I often go out in summer clothes, which frequently draws comments from others—on a frigid day, without wearing warm clothing, knee pads, or warming up, I can still wear thin shirts and pants, standing in place and practicing Tai Chi and swordplay from the early morning at 7 degrees until the stunning dawn.
Yes, every early morning this year, I wake up alone at 4:45, heading to the seaside, following a precise routine of familiar experiences and self-accumulated practices.
On July 17, 2025, at 7 degrees in the early morning, I am still wearing simple summer clothes, easily entering my usual routine:
Atmospheric conditions: At 5:42 AM, the sea breeze is gentle, cool but not cold, with a temperature of 7 degrees and a perceived temperature of 4 degrees.
Routine sequence:
• Atmospheric breathing for five minutes
• Tai Chi 24 Forms x 3 sets
• Self-created Tai Chi Sword x 3 sets
• Horse stance practice for 14 minutes
• Center of gravity practice: weight distribution on left and right feet, each for 10 minutes
• Yi Jin Jing combined with Qigong closing
The average duration of the entire routine is 1.5 hours.
During the first set of Tai Chi, it takes about 3 minutes for my whole body to start warming up; after 5 minutes, I maintain a consistent sweat, feeling warmth on my head, sweating on my forehead, a damp sensation at the back of my neck, and my feet remain warm. At that time, the temperature is only 7 degrees, but my chest and the back, which is part of the skeletal structure, show signs of sustained light sweating, and wearing a thin shirt, I quickly need to change clothes.
The horse stance array is the most extreme part of the entire routine. Once my body is fully grounded, hips opened, and posture accurately set, my heart rate begins to rise, and I can clearly feel the lower skin structure being refined, with balanced warmth in my back and elbows.
I glanced at my smartwatch: heart rate 142, a value I had not reached during the previous full sets of Tai Chi and Tai Chi Sword, proving that the horse stance is the most efficient energy trigger in the entire system.
The subsequent center of gravity segment involves practicing weight distribution on each foot for about 10 minutes. The so-called "weight distribution" is actually a delicate practice based on the deconstruction of the center of gravity and bodily awareness. In this interplay of internal precision and external relaxation, my whole body is balanced, and the energy flows in sync.
Everything is in a simple, consistent, and effective "structural opening" state, requiring no intention, no forced alignment, allowing the internal energy to naturally circulate.
This is my experience of practicing in summer clothes—each movement is simple, yet powerful internally. The phrase "sweating in summer clothes at 7 degrees" is not about pushing for higher difficulty but increasingly choosing a minimalist, natural, and effective bodily solution.
On the beach in the early morning, in the coolness of 7 degrees, I immerse myself in warmth, observing the body within the heat, the structure within the body, the energy within the structure, and Tai Chi within the energy.
After finishing my practice, with a sweaty back, I head home to change clothes!

Source: http://www.australianwinner.com/AuWinner/viewtopic.php?t=696893