The 13 Postures of Tai Chi:
The 13 Postures is the foundation of Tai Chi Chuan. Without the 13 Postures there is neither the Chuan (form) nor the push-hands. These 13 postures were derived from the Eight Trigrams (the first 8 postures - energies) and the Five Elements (the last 5 postures - steps). The 13 postures are:
- Peng (ward-off)
- Lu (roll-back)
- Chi (press)
- An (push)
- Tsai (pull-down)
- Lieh (split)
- Chou (elbow strike)
- Kao (shoulder strike)
- Chin (advance)
- Tui (retreat)
- Ku (look left)
- Pan (look right)
- Ting (center)
The 13 Principles of Tai Chi:
The 13 principles must execute the mind, chi, and physical movement in one unit. This means that when the mind is focused on a specific area of the body, the chi will flow into that area. When the chi flows into an area, power will follow.
- Sinking of Shoulders and Dropping of Elbows
- Relaxing of Chest and Rounding of Back
- Sinking Chi down to Dan Tien
- Lightly Pointing Up the Head
- Relaxation of Waist and Hip
- Differentiate Between Empty and Full: Yin and Yang
- Coordination of Upper and Lower Parts of the Body
- Using the Mind Instead of Force
- Harmony Between Internal and External
- Connecting the Mind and the Chi
- Find Stillness Within Movement
- Movement and Stillness Present at Once
- Continuity and Evenness Throughout the Form
|
