Elbow and Waist can only close, cannot open

by Chen Zhonghua Taiji Academy 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).

 

Related posts:

  1. Hand-Foot opens but does not close
  2. “Sink Waist To Press Elbow” Online Video Trailer
Post Category: Principle-List Principle-Technical

About Chen Zhonghua Taiji Academy

Chen Style Taijiquan 19th generation disciple. International Standard Bearer of the Practical Method system of Hong Junsheng. Second generation master of Hunyuan Taiji. Been teaching internationally since 1985. Educated in the West with a Master's Degree in Education. Highly accomplished through the lineage of two great masters. Disciplined, precise and powerful. He teaches a complete system of taiji based on the principle of yin yang separation; indirect power as a core concept; movement and tranquility as the source of action. In both theory and practice, his taijiquan deals with the problems of double-heavy. He is a real treasure of the heritage of taijiquan.

{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }

Kelvin Ho September 9, 2011 at 6:00 pm

To be symmetric to the hand-foot post, I would have expected elbow and knee rather than elbow and waist. I am puzzled by the concept of this post, in particular, “The elbow and waist must have a connection through the waist”.

Master Chen, could you please help clarify?

Reply

Chen Zhonghua September 9, 2011 at 9:23 pm

Elbow and knee combination is certainly correct according to taiji principles. However, it does not mean that the elbow cannot work with other parts of the body. In the present case, the elbow can work with the waist. It is important to view the following in context: hand foot is one pair that is outside; elbow and waist is another pair that is inside. The key is that the outside pair can only have outward active movements while the inside pair can only have inward movement intentions.

Reply

Kelvin Ho September 10, 2011 at 6:29 pm

Thank you. “The key is that the outside pair can only have outward active movements while the inside pair can only have inward movement intentions” clarifies it, especially with the word “active”. I believe the following are all related:
Elbow in, hand out.
Withdraw is to issue.
The foot in the hand-foot concept is the counter part of the hand on the other side of the fixed point.
The waist (on the other side) in the elbow-waist concept is the counter part of the elbow on the other side of the fixed point.

Reply

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