Wednesday, February 1, 2017

The 13 Postures of Taijiquan

1). Peng  (Ward-off) Peng is generally thought of as a rising, and expanding energy. It is the expression of yang in taiji. The forward arm in ward-off creates a buffer zone between the tai ji player and his opponent. Peng can used in any direction, and with many parts of the body, such as the wrists in Stork Spreads Wings. If the structure is correct the opponent may bounce off the arms, being repelled away from the expanding force.

2). Lu  (Rollback) Lu is used to draw the opponent into emptiness. Sticking, following, yielding, and redirecting places the opponent into a vulnerable and unbalanced position, he will lose his center. Cloudy Hands is another example of Lu energy. It is yielding, an expression of contracting yin energy.


3). Ji  (Press) Ji is a pressing attack but can also be used to receive an opponentʼs attack as well, and cause the energy to bounce back towards the opponent. The circular action of Ji is like a spring. Think of two points converging to create forward moving energy.


4). An  (Push) is described as a wavelike movement, rising, crashing, and then rising again. You receive your opponent energy, yield, and redirect the energy outward back to the attacker, lifting, and driving him off his feet. The power comes from the earth, through the rear leg, the waist, and is expressed in the upper body.


5). Cai 采 (Pluck) Tsai, like plucking a ripe piece of fruit from a tree. Use cai to pull your opponent off balance. Single Whip and Needle to Sea Bottom are examples of cai.


6). Lie 挒 (Split) Lie is used to pull your opponent in one direction, while striking or throwing in the other, splitting his energy in two directions. Parting Horses mane or Diagonal Flying are examples of Lie.


7). Zhuo 肘 (Elbow) Zhou is using the elbow to strike the opponent. It has also been described as “turn and chop with the fist” as in Roll, Parry, Kick, Push, Punch, and Fan through the Back.


8). Kao 靠 (Shoulder) Using the entire weight of the body to strike the opponent. Kao may also be called Lean Forward. It is used to unbalance your opponent, and to setup another attack.


The 5 Steps of Tai Chi
1). Jin Bu – Advancing Jin Bu is forward momentum. We step with the heel first, placing it down, shifting our weight forward, and placing the rest of the foot down, as if we are crossing an iced over stream. Jin is used in any posture or movement that steps forward, like peng, ji, and an, and brush knee palm. 

2). Tui Bu – Retreating Tui Bu is used to avoid an attack from your opponent. We allow him into out space, and create even more space by retreating, hoping that he will overextend. This can be seen in roll back, and repulse the monkey. 


3). Zuo Gu – Step to the Left Zuo gu is a step to the left as in grasping sparrows tail, brush knee palm, and single whip. It can also be used to close the distance with an opponent in order to counterattack 


4). You Pan – Step to the Right You pan is a step to the right as in grasping sparrows tail, brush knee palm, and single whip. It can also be used to close the distance with an opponent in order to counterattack 


5). Zhong Ding – The Center Zhong Ding is the center position, as in wu ji posture, beginning tai ji. Steadiness here builds the root from which all other forms and movement are born. Postures include wu ji, and crane spreads wings. 



The 5 steps of Taiji quan are advance, retreat, left, right, and center. The center is represented in our ability to root into the earth. Without a solid root we cannot move easily, nor with agility in taiji.





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