1. Tai Chi often does not provide immediate noticeable fitness effects, similar to walking or hiking, but this is not the case. The reasons for this feeling are twofold: First, the practice time is insufficient, meaning the exercise volume is inadequate. If one only practices the simplified Tai Chi three times a day, taking about … Read more
1. In practicing any Tai Chi movement, one must divide the body into Yin and Yang, distinguishing between emptiness and fullness, with expansion and contraction. When the left side contracts, the right side expands; when the right side contracts, the left side expands; when the upper body contracts, the lower body expands; when the lower … Read more
1. Mr. Yang Chengfu——”Tai Chi Chuan is the art of softness containing hardness, with needles hidden in cotton. The postures should be upright and complete, calm and relaxed, with movements light, agile, and round, purely guided by the spirit.”“2. Mr. Cheng Man-ch’ing——”Absorb the energy of heaven, connect with the power of the earth, and extend … Read more
1. Do Not Use Unnecessary Force: Generally, Tai Chi practitioners explain that unnecessary force refers to the clumsy strength that ordinary people possess, known as zhuo li (clumsy force) – this is not true strength (or nei jin – internal strength). The existence of clumsy force hinders the generation of true strength, so it is … Read more
1、虚灵顶劲 (Xu Ling Ding Jin) Practicing Tai Chi requires 虚灵顶劲, where the spirit is concentrated at the top (This concept suggests that “顶头悬” (Ding Tou Xuan) and “神贯顶” (Shen Guan Ding) are two different mental activities. “顶头悬” is also known as 悬顶 (Xuan Ding), 提顶 (Ti Ding), 拔顶 (Ba Ding), and 吊顶 (Diao Ding). The … Read more
Chen Zhaokui, a master of Chen-style Tai Chi, once said, “The essence of Tai Chi is martial arts; every movement of the hands and feet has its purpose. The hand shapes cannot resemble a five-fingered fork nor the orchid hand of Du Jinfang. Different hand shapes are used according to different applications. The palm techniques … Read more
1. Tai Chi often does not provide immediate noticeable fitness effects, similar to slow walking or hiking, but this is not the case. The reasons for this feeling are twofold: First, the practice time is insufficient, meaning the exercise volume is inadequate. If one only practices the simplified Tai Chi three times a day, taking … Read more
Tai Chi (Taijiquan) is permeated with the concepts of “Yin and Yang” and “Void and Reality” throughout its practice. This is manifested in each Tai Chi movement, which embodies the principles of “Opening and Closing”, “Round and Square”, “Coiling and Uncoiling”, “Void and Reality”, “Light and Heavy”, “Soft and Hard”, “Slow and Fast”, and features … Read more
1. Calmness and IntentThe most important principle in practicing Tai Chi Chuan is “calmness and intent,” which runs through the entire process of practicing. This means that during practice, the mind should be focused, using consciousness to continuously guide movements, flexibly changing them so that every action has a certain direction, avoiding chaotic movements, aimless … Read more
Tai Chi Chuan is not a mystical or esoteric martial art, nor is it merely a form of soft exercise or dance. Tai Chi Chuan is a genuine martial art, characterized by internal power. It is a martial art that integrates both internal and external practices, with fitness as its foundation, mental cultivation as its … Read more