Tai Chi Walk (Forward)

Some of my newest students have been working on Tai Chi Walk so I thought it'd be a good time to touch on the subject.

Tai Chi walk is the next step in training I give my students after Zhang Zhuang* practice. As previously stated Zhang Zhuang teaches the student about establishing a stable center, therefore the next step is learning to move in the four cardinal directions while maintaining that stability.

Initially, this proves to be a very difficult progression for most students and entails a LOT of practice. To help them in said practice I'll detail just how it is performed.

For now I'll be focusing on the first direction I train my students in, forward. To begin they let their weight sink onto one leg, emptying the other of weight. (It is important that both knees stay bent at this point.) Next they stretch out the empty leg letting it land heel first in front of them, it's important to note that the foot seems to land slightly outside so as to maintain the width between the feet (remember, shoulder width apart at all times). Once the heel lands the weight is slowly, gently transferred onto the forward leg as the back leg's knee straightens (driving the body's weight forward). The forward knee should be bent, without moving farther forward than the toes. The student should now be in gongbu or bow stance. The weight should be about 70% on the front leg and 30% in the back.

Then the hips will rotate, from facing straight ahead, 45 degrees into the direction of the lead leg (ie if your front leg is the left leg you rotate your hips 45 degrees to the left). The power for this rotation again comes from the rear leg. The toes should dig into the ground (like you're squishing something) and the rear heel is elevated, pivoting on the toes. It is vital at this point to shift all of the body's weight onto the front leg (emptying the rear leg of ALL weight) and immediately lift the back leg, bringing it forward free of weight. In this way the practitioner's body will be in a mirror position from what he/she began in. It is very important to always keep the lead knee bent once the weight has been placed on it, otherwise the student's body will bob up and down and they'll likely lose their balance.

After the movement is complete simply repeat on the opposite side to continue moving forward.

Here's a video link on how the forward stepping is performed.


*For more on Zhan Zhuang.

Link

I just wanted to post a link up here for an article I'd read a while back and rediscovered while cleaning up some old archives. It discusses relaxation, balance and harmony via the kua or hip crease/socket. It's really worth a read so I thought I'd post it up so everyone can benefit from it. Enjoy!

-Jon C

Link:
Distinguishing Hip/Waist

Circling Back

It's good to be back. I was recently reading an article on the use random circles in push hands. It inspired me to write some poems which I hope you will find helpful. Please enjoy.

-Circle and Flow-
Follow the opponent with circles.
Without set forms, flow like water.
Be ever smooth and coordinated.
Trap your enemy within your circles.
Lead him like a log down a river.

-The Point of Contact-
Where you meet the opponent's force
You must be like water meeting a boulder,
Flow around your opponent instantly.
Rolling your energy into a sphere
Let his attack fall away.

Like a ball floating on the water,
Any force glances off your surface
Always away from your core.
Your center is strong and powerful,
but insubtancial when probed.

Thus the master is like a cloud,
Falling away at the merest touch.
To grasp him is to lose him.
To strike him is to fall.
Yet his strikes are lighting and thunder.

-Six Rivers Flow Into The Mighty Ocean's Waves-
To achieve great skill
You must never lose your keystone
And maintain flowing harmony.
Your body must move as one unit,
Full of curves, spirals and coils
To store power and spring forward.

The six harmonies must never be forgotten
Even while you listen to your opponent
Know yourself, and mind your structure
Don't be misled by your opponent.
Let his power rise and ebb
Then crash upon him like a wave!

-Gates Open and Close-
Know that the man before you
is not your opponent.
He is a pale reflection of force.

Know that his fist
is not an attack.
It is a tiny measure of strength.
Know that to win or lose
is impossible.
As both are one.

You and he are players,
Halves of a matched set
bound to the flow of the cosmos.

Greet him like a friend from long ago.
Meet his attack like a handshake.
Welcome him into your castle
Let him lose himself
As you guide him home.

-Jon