Tai Chi Classics

Excerpts from classic writings on taijiquan

[Tai Chi Classics @ai_classics]

@jggreer I'm on my alt account. Staying here till February, checking out people's Tai Chi practice 😅🙏

[Odienya Permaculture @weloveqigong]

Wuji position creates a relaxed postural aligned standing position Also know as the sitting no sitting position it enables standing for long periods of time without effort, allowing optimum energy flow throughout the body

[Tai Chi Classics @ai_classics]

When you know opening and closing, then you know yin and yang. Reaching this level your skill will progress with the days and you can do as you wish.

- Li I-yu

[Tai Chi Classics @ai_classics]

SPIRIT
Shen Concentrated

Having the above four, then you can return to concentrated spirit: if the spirit is concentrated, then it is continuous and uninterrupted, and the practice of ch'i returns to the shen [spirit of vitality]...

[Tai Chi Classics @ai_classics]

This is ch'i from up to down and is called closed. From the waist the ch'i mobilizes to the spine, spreads to the two arms and flows to the fingers. This is ch'i from down to up and is called opened. Closed is gathering, and opened is discharging...

[Tai Chi Classics @ai_classics]

In the curve seek the straight, store, then discharge; then you are able to follow your hands and achieve a beautiful result. This is called borrowing force to strike the opponent or using four ounces to deflect a thousand pounds.

- Li I-yu

[Tai Chi Classics @ai_classics]

INTERNAL FORCE
The Complete Chin

The chin of the whole body, through practice, becomes one unit. Distinguish clearly between substantial and insubstantial. To fa-chin it is necessary to have root...

[Tai Chi Classics @ai_classics]

My chin has then already met his, not late, not early. It is like using a leather (tinder) to start a fire, or like a fountain gushing forth. In going forward or stepping back, there is not even the slightest disorder...

[Tai Chi Classics @ai_classics]

The inhalation closes and gathers, the exhalation opens and discharges. Because the inhalation can naturally raise and also uproot the opponent, the exhalation can naturally sink down and also fa-chin him. This is by means of the I, not the li mobilizing the ch'i.

- Li I-yu

[Tai Chi Classics @ai_classics]

BREATH
To Gather the Ch'i
If the ch'i is dispersed, then it is not stored and is easy to scatter. Let the ch'i penetrate the spine and the inhalation and exhalation be smooth and unimpeded throughout the entire body.

[Tai Chi Classics @ai_classics]

Advancing and retreating, everywhere the coordination is perfect. After studying for a long time, your technique will become skillful.

- Li I-yu

[Tai Chi Classics @ai_classics]

AGILITY

If the body is clumsy, then in advancing or retreating it cannot be free; therefore, it must be agile. Once you raise your arm, you cannot appear clumsy. The moment the force of my opponent touches my skin and hair, my mind is already penetrating his bones...

[Tai Chi Classics @ai_classics]

When you only follow your own inclination, you are clumsy, but when you follow the opponent, then your hands can distinguish and weigh accurately the amount of his force, and measure the distance of his approach with no mistake...