|
The ten principles of Tai Chi
1. Straightening the head
Imagine a lively energy at the crown of your head, this energy is connected to a fine thread that supports your entire body. Every part of your body aligns by the force of gravity alone. No strength is used, to use strength is to fail.
2. Correct position of chest and back.
Relax the chest and breath from the tantien, allow the breath to sink slowly to the lower belly. The upper back is raised up slightly allowing the chi energy to move through the back. Tuck the pelvis under slightly. The chest should never stick out.
3. Relax the waist
Relax the entire body and open all the joints, ensure that the shoulders and elbows sink. Relax does not mean limp, there is energy in the body but it is not tense. Pay particular attention to the waist as all energy moves from the feet up through the legs to the waist, if you lack energy the cause is likely to be the waist.
4. Distinguish insubstantial from substantial
The movements of Tai Chi recognises that the weight is always distributed in one leg, one leg full of energy one leg empty. To be substantial in both legs is folly. If you are double weighted then the waist will be unable to turn.
5. Sink the shoulders and drop the elbows
Allow the shoulders to sink, there must be no tension in the shoulders, the elbows must be relaxed and and open. As the energy passes from the feet through the legs, directed by the waist, it should find no tension in the back, shoulders or elbows. Relaxing the shoulders and opening them will encourage the chi to flow through the arms.
6. Use the mind and not strength
In Tai Chi the entire body is loose and open, there is no tension anywhere, to find tension is to block the flow of chi. If one uses crude strength then they will be bound up, the joints, muscles, sinews will not be open and energy will not flow.
7. Upper and lower follow one another
The entire body should move as a single complete unit, if one part of the body moves every part of the body moves. Be still as a mountain and move like a great river.
8. Internal and external are united
With regard to training the spirit, it is said that the mind leads the chi and the body follows. To be fully sensitive and open will encourage the spirit to lead the mind which directs the chi and moves the body. All external forces and known within.
9. Everything is linked there are no breaks
All movements in Tai Chi respond to external energies, once a movement begins the whole body moves without breaks until the move is finished If you hesitate or stop the energy will stop and the thread will break.
10. Seek stillness in movement
When practising the form one should practice as slowly as possible, the slower the better. Internal strength and well being will follow for those that understand this.
|