About Tai Ji Quan
by Diane Hoxmeier (last paragraph by Master Henry Look)
Tai Ji Quan, often known in America as TAI CHI, is a set
of 64 movements, none done slower or faster than the others,
developed by ancient Chinese sages who watched the movements of
birds and animals. Primarily, Tai Ji is an exercise for health;
practiced slowly, it increases strength, balance and coordination; practiced with total body relaxation and no force, it
promotes better circulation and calms the mind. Secondarily, the
circular movements and postures of Tai Ji Quan, which can be
roughly translated as "supreme ultimate boxing", if practiced
correctly for several years, could be used for self-defense.
How old is Tai Ji? The form is based on the ideas from
Daoism, a philosophy or world view derived from the I Ching (Book of Changes) and
from the writings of Lao Tzu. The I Ching,
which embodies the idea of yin and yang and their opposition,
alternation and interaction, originated and developed in the 2nd
and 3rd centuries, B.C.E. Lao Tzu wrote the book, the Dao De
Ching, sometime during the 5th century, B.C.E. A common image in
this book is water, which is soft and yielding but can overcome
the hardest of substances. So, too, is Tai Ji Quan, seemingly
soft and yielding but with the capacity for great power.
Tai Ji Quan is a beautiful physical exercise handed down
for centuries that one can practice today, indoors or outside, at
home or away, with fellow Tai Ji players or alone. No equipment
necessary. Anyone of any age, male or female, in almost any
physical condition, can begin to learn Tai Ji to prolong life.
Guang Ping Yang Tai Ji Quan is a blend of Yang and Chen schools of Tai Ji. It's stances are lower than Yang but not so low as Chen. It is a combination of hard and soft style and uses both big and small circles. There is a double jump kick, and other wide sweeping kicks; the movements are longer and deeper, more energetic, with more apparent martial combat character.
Nineteen Principles
Basic to the Practice of Tai Ji Quan
1. Whole body relaxed; do not use force.
2. Keep the mind concentrated; do not let it wander or become confused.
3. Be peaceful and natural; do not be tense.
4. You must hold the head up straight and feel as though a string attached to the crown of your head were holding you up.
5. The body must be straight; do not lean in any direction.
6. There must be a clear distinction between the empty (non-weighted) and full (weighted) feet (alternation of yin and yang).
7. Both hands must move together; do not let one stop.
8. Breathing must be even, regular and natural; do not hold or constrict the breath.
9. In even the slightest movement the whole body must move; do not let any part stop separately.
10. Let the waist lead the whole body.
11. Movements must be in squares and circles; the limbs must not be too bent or too straight (too bent is too flat, too straight is too stiff).
12. Movement must be smooth and regular; do not suddenly speed up or slow down.
13. In stillness the mind must be active; in activity the mind must be still.
14. The body's center of gravity is in one of three places: on the left foot, on the right foot, or in the middle.
15. The whole body must be in harmony (there are six harmonies):
A. Three outer harmonies:
- a. Hand with foot
- b. Elbow with knee
- c. Shoulder with hip
- B. Three inner harmonies:
- a. Thought with intent
- b. Intent with breath
- c. Breath with strength
16. Why is it important in the practice of Tai Ji Quan to be careful in the fullness and /or emptiness of the feet?
(Explanation of principle #6.)
Because emptiness permits nimbleness (lightness of movement, agility), nimbleness permits change in one's own position, change in one's own position permits transformation of the opponent's movement, transformation of the opponent's movement permits attack.
17. The method of using Tai Ji Quan is to seek straightness in the winding, gather it, then thrust it out; in the changes and transformations if the enemy does not move, I do not move, if the enemy moves even a little bit, I have moved first.
18. In the changes and transformations of Tai Ji Quan, rest and motion have no beginning, change and transformation have no ends, emptiness and fullness alternate naturally.
19. Concerning the use of the hands and feet in Tai Ji Quan--in extending do not extend all the way; be relaxed but do not be limp; the strength may be broken but the intent remains unbroken.
