TenPrinciples
From Simreal
Ten Principles for T'ai Chi
6 Nov 2005 - Added Chuck's notes
- Head Suspended (ting ging) - as if from a string; lightness (hsu) and swiftness (ling)
- Sink (close) the Chest and Raise (lift) the Back
- Relax (loosen) the Waist the body's ruler, giving the feet and root strength, keeping the lower body firm; change from substantial to insubstantial comes from waist.
- Distinguish Substantial (shih, full) and Insubstantial (hsu, empty) facilitates turning and moving.
- Sink the Shoulders and Drop the Elbows shoulder loose and drop; this increases strength.
- Use Mind (yi), not Strength (li) the body becomes loose and open, no localized muscle strength; light and swift; opens channels, lets chi flow; if you use strength, hat tightens up and blocks the chi flow.
- Unity of Upper and Lower Body (Upper and Lower Follow) root starts in feet, springs from legs, executed through waist, expressed through fingers, from feet to legs to waist as one chi; eye-spirit (shen) follows the hand, waist, foot.
- Unity of Internal and External (Inside and Outside Coordinated) spirit (shen) commands the body and mind; movement of tai chi is opening and closing, substantial and insubstantial; inside and outside mix to form one chi.
- Connected Without Interruptsion external systems have beginnings and ends; in tai chi from beginning to end, the form is continuous without interruption.
- Seek Stillness in Movement, Movement in Stillness (Within motion find quiet; motion and quiet become one) external systems emphasize jumping, using chi and li; tai chi uses quiet to subdue motion; move slowly, breathe deeply; chi sinks to tan tÃien.
