Knowledge : With a receipe you can cook a good meal; with this list of principles, you can guide yourself in learning taiji!

We provide a list of taiji principles that are relevant to our learning.

One part of the body can only perform one function i

by admin on 2011.11.02

One part of the body can only perform one function. This is an important rule in taijiquan. If followed, the separation of yin and yang will be made possible. Otherwise, all movements are actually one or the same regardless what the practitioner feels, thinks or believes. Read more

Heel out; toes back 3

by Chen Zhonghua on 2011.09.09

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Elbow and Waist can only close, cannot open 3

by Chen Zhonghua on 2011.09.08

    1. The elbow and waist (from one side of the waist to the other side) must have a connection through the waist (side wall of the waist and shoulder on the same side). In this case the functional modifier is the kua.
    2. The elbow and waist must stay on a curved or straight line, causing this connection.
    3. Closing means to move inward, causing the distance between the elbow and waist to shorten.
    4. The elbow and waist can never move away from each other (please note that the meaning of this requires further clarification later on).

Hand-Foot opens but does not close i

by Chen Zhonghua on 2011.09.07

  1. The hand and foot must have a connection through the waist, or dantiian area. In this case the waist becomes the modifier.
  2. The hand and foot must stay on a curved or straight line, causing this connection.
  3. Opening means to move outwards, causing the distance between the hand and foot to lengthen.
  4. The hand and foot can never move towards each other (please note that the meaning of this requires further clarification later on).

You can see this principle in action in the video clip through the link below.

http://practicalmethod.com/lang/en/2011/03/importance-of-waist-for-hand-foot-connection/

Forward led by front kua, powered by rear foot i

by admin on 2011.09.06

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Two Adjacent Body Parts Cannot Move in the Same Direction i

by Chen Zhonghua on 2011.03.15

Withdraw is to issue 1

by practicalmethod on 2010.02.11

“Withdraw is to issue” is an important concept in Chen Style Taijiquan Practical Method. It is also a measurement of level of skill in this style. Here Master Chen explains a technical aspect of this skill.

Check List 2 i

by Chen Zhonghua on 2008.08.21

  1. Knees can not move horizontally.
  2. Eyes fixed on target.
  3. Hands never pass the center line.
  4. Elbow should be close to the ribs.

Check List 1 i

by webmaster2 on 2008.08.21

  1. Head up and spine vertical line is straight.
  2. Hand out and elbow in.
  3. Stance as low as possible. In horse stand, the kua should not be lower than the knee.
  4. Do not bend the wrist.

Follow the Rules 1

by Chen Zhonghua on 2007.11.14

“When you follow the rules to the extreme, every unintentional action becomes part of the form!”
—Hong Junsheng Read more