5 Principles of Tai Chi
There are five fundamental principles to Tai Chi Chuan. The first and most important is to relax. It is relaxation that allows chi to flow unobstructed through the body. The second principle is body upright. This looks like the tailbone dropping to the earth, the shoulders soft and relaxed, and the crown of the head directed to the sky, as if suspended on a thread from heaven.
The third principle, separation of yin and yang, is akin to the hatha yoga processes of pranayama, whereby the practitioner separates the solar (yang) and lunar (yin) energies of the body. Through separation, the two energies become balanced, and then chi naturally flows through the central column, the pillar of wisdom. In the practice of Tai Chi, separation of yin and yang begins with the shifting of one’s entire weight from one foot to the other, or being in a ‘balanced’ state of 70 percent weight on one foot, and 30 percent in the other foot. Chi enters the body through the ‘bubbling well,’ a point on each foot that is located slightly in front of the center of the foot. When we are standing, our body weight should be centered over the bubbling well. If a person is leaning forward, they will be prone to anxiety and being in a hurry. If a person is leaning back, they will likely be slow and overly cautious. Keep the weight centered over the bubbling well, practicing the separation of yin and yang.
The fourth principle of Tai Chi is the ‘tan tien,’ best translated as ‘sea of chi.’ This point in the body is located two finger widths below the navel, and two finger widths in towards the spine. This is the energetic center. In Tai Chi, all movement originates from the tan tien.
The fifth principle is ‘beautiful ladies hands.’ What this means is a delicate poise through the body, best exemplified by hands that are awake and active, yet relaxed and soft. It is closely related to the first and most important principle of Tai Chi: relax.
The third principle, separation of yin and yang, is akin to the hatha yoga processes of pranayama, whereby the practitioner separates the solar (yang) and lunar (yin) energies of the body. Through separation, the two energies become balanced, and then chi naturally flows through the central column, the pillar of wisdom. In the practice of Tai Chi, separation of yin and yang begins with the shifting of one’s entire weight from one foot to the other, or being in a ‘balanced’ state of 70 percent weight on one foot, and 30 percent in the other foot. Chi enters the body through the ‘bubbling well,’ a point on each foot that is located slightly in front of the center of the foot. When we are standing, our body weight should be centered over the bubbling well. If a person is leaning forward, they will be prone to anxiety and being in a hurry. If a person is leaning back, they will likely be slow and overly cautious. Keep the weight centered over the bubbling well, practicing the separation of yin and yang.
The fourth principle of Tai Chi is the ‘tan tien,’ best translated as ‘sea of chi.’ This point in the body is located two finger widths below the navel, and two finger widths in towards the spine. This is the energetic center. In Tai Chi, all movement originates from the tan tien.
The fifth principle is ‘beautiful ladies hands.’ What this means is a delicate poise through the body, best exemplified by hands that are awake and active, yet relaxed and soft. It is closely related to the first and most important principle of Tai Chi: relax.