Fundamental Principles of Instruction and Background Knowledge

Taiji Principles:  The student will learn to understand and implement four basic principles:  The head is gently lifted to straighten the posture.  The body is relaxed.  All movement begins at the root (feet) and is directed by the waist.  The mind remains focused on the here and now, i.e. on the Taiji exercise, and is not allowed to wander.

Fundamentals of Taiji Postures:  The student will learn to execute four basic stances:  Wuji (relaxation, no extremes), Front or Bow Stance (Gung Bu, Back Stance (Sil Li Bu) and Cat Stance (Shu Bu).  The student will learn the first of the eight basic Taiji postures – Peng (Ward Off).  The student will also learn four hand forms used in Taiji:  Curved Open Hand, Settled Wrist, Crane’s Beak, and Vertical Fist.

Breath:  The student will learn Back to Childhood Breathing (also known as Normal Abdominal Breathing).  This breathing is done by dropping the diaphragm and expanding the abdomen when inhaling.  The abdomen is expanded by gently pushing out on the front abdominal wall and gently pushing down on the perineum. When exhaling, the student gently pulls in on the front abdominal wall and up on the perineum.  The lungs are filled to seventy or eighty percent of capacity so as not to tense the muscles.  Inhalation should be through the nose and exhalation through the mouth, which should be slightly open.  Long, slow, deep and even breathing is an aid to relaxation of the body.

Exercises:  Students will practice relaxation, breathing, and basic Taiji postures and movements by means of Taiji-Qigong drills.  Students who wish to learn the Taiji long form will receive instruction in first section of this sequence. 

Background Knowledge:  “Qi” broadly defined means energy.  The various types of Qi include Heaven Qi, Earth Qi, and Human Qi.  Taiji and Qigong practitioners have studied Human Qi for centuries.  It is understood in today’s scientific terms to be micro voltage currents of bioelectricity.  “The Lower Dan Tian” is the human body’s Qi storage battery.  It is located in the digestive tract, and its center is in the middle of the abdomen at a level two inches below the navel. 

The Peng Pattern consists of two basic arcs, which combine to create a strong and stable body structure for preserving the student’s center and root.  The first arc is that created by the gentle horizontal curving of the hands, wrists, elbows and chest.  The second arc is the vertical curving of the spine, which is created by gently flattening the lower back and tucking the buttocks slightly under.

Testing for White Sash (Optional):  Students who wish to challenge themselves or wish to pursue the formal programs of study in Taijiquan or Taiji-Qigong, which lead to certification as a Black Sash or instructor will undergo a formal test of their ability to explain and execute the information and exercises described above.  In addition, these students will be required to perform the first section of the long sequence and to call out the commands for the movements as they perform them.  There is a forty-dollar fee for testing and certification.

Fundamental Principles of Instruction and Background Knowledge

Taiji Principles:  Students will learn to understand and implement the basic principle of rooting in Taijiquan.  Rooting means that there is a firm connection between the feet and the ground, power begins in the root, and incoming force can be directed down into the root.  They will also learn the principles of the alternation of Yin and Yang in postures and movements.    Yin means to yield and follow where the opponent and opportunity leads.  Yang means to expand and move forward when the time and situation are right.

Fundamentals of Taiji Postures and Movements:  The student will learn two more of the eight basic Taiji postures – Lu (Roll Back) and An (Push Down or Stamp).  The student will also learn method of Taiji backward walking and the stance used in Taiji kicks.   (First Stripe)  The student will learn the stance form.  (First Stripe)

Breath:  The student will continue to practice Back to Childhood Breathing, which should become a natural and constant habit.  Students will learn to coordinate their breathing with the Yin and Yang of the movements in Section I. 

Exercises:  Students will practice basic Taiji movements, posture, and breathing by means of Taiji-Qigong drills.  Principles of rooting and Yin and Yang movement will be taught in gentle partner exercises, including single sensing hands pattern no. 1 (horizontal circling).  Students engaged in partner exercises should approach the exercises with the attitude of nourishing their own and their partner’s energy and facilitating each other’s learning.  These exercises are not competition.  (Stripe) Students who wish to learn the Taiji long form will learn the second section of the sequence.  (1 Stripe for each half).

Background Knowledge:  “Human Qi” plays a vital function in the body.  It is the energy that powers the operations of the body’s cells, including most importantly the function of replacing the more than one trillion cells that die in the body every 24 hours.  Taiji moves the Qi through the body’s Qi circulation system (the Qi vessels and meridians) using relaxation, coordination of breath and movement, and the mind’s intent in the movements.  In this way, taiji helps to break through areas of Qi stagnation and harmonize Qi circulation, which promotes smooth and efficient functioning of the body’s cells and organs

The Chinese characters for An can also be translated “the hand of peace.”  The essential motion in An is the settling of the wrist to direct the opponent’s energy downward.  An is evident in the movements Push and Block Brush Knee.  The Lu pattern’s essential feature is the redirecting of the opponent’s energy to the side. 

Testing for Yellow Sash (Required only for students pursuing the formal programs of instruction in Taijiquan or Taiji-Qigong.  Students will be required to perform the second section of the long sequence and to call out the commands for the movements as they perform them.  They will be required to explain and demonstrate the principles Yin and Yang, Peng, Lu, and An in movements of the Taiji form and in single sensing hands horizontal circling with a partner. 

Fundamental Principles of Instruction and Background Knowledge

Taiji Principles:  The student will learn to improve his or her Taiji postures, implementing the principles of sinking the shoulders and elbows, alternately sinking and expanding the chest in coordination with the yin and yang of the Taiji movements, and relaxing the waist to gain fluidity of movement.

Fundamentals of Taiji Postures and Movements:  The student will learn to understand the applications and energies of the four fundamental patterns of Taiji – Peng, Lu, Ji, and An.  The student will be able to illustrate the applications with a partner.  The student will learn to execute to the best of their ability the Tame the Tiger, and Golden Cock Stands on One Leg stances.  The student will be able to explain the other four patterns – Lieh, Tsai, Zhou, Kao – and identify Taiji movements that incorporate those patterns.  

Breath:  The student will learn how to develop Back to Childhood Breathing into Yongquan Breathing and Four Gates Breathing.  Students will learn to coordinate their breathing with the Yin and Yang of the movements in Section II.

Exercises:  Students will practice basic Taiji movements, posture, and breathing by means of Taiji-Qigong drills.  The principles mentioned above will be learned and practiced through Yin-Yang Symbol silk reeling exercise.  The student will continue to practice rooting and balancing through stance training, including the Golden Cock one- legged stance and the Embrace the Moon on the Chest exercise.  Students who wish to learn the Taiji long form will learn the third section of the sequence. 

Background Knowledge:  Qi circulates in the human body through eight vessels and 12 meridians.  Vessels are like Qi storage reservoirs.  Meridians are like the rivers and streams that distribute the Qi.  Two important vessels for Taiji practitioners are the Conception, which runs vertically from the mouth to the Hui Yin cavity along the center of the chest, and the Governing, which runs up the center of the back and completes a circuit with the Conception Vessel.  Taiji movements of the spine and chest are important for keeping relaxing the areas around these vessels so that Qi can flow smoothly through them.  Three yin meridians – heart, lung, and pericardium -- run along the yin side of the arms.  It is useful to know the course of those meridians for their healing and martial applications.

Testing for Green Sash (Required only for students pursuing the formal programs of instruction in Taijiquan or Taiji-Qigong.  Students will be required to perform the third section of the long sequence and to call out the commands for the movements as they perform them (Stripe).  They will be required to explain and demonstrate the applications of Peng, Lu, Ji, and An (Stripe); perform and explain Yin-Yang Symbol silk reeling (Stripe); hold Golden Cock stance for 30 seconds on each leg; perform Embrace the Moon on the Chest for 5 minutes on each side; and perform yourself or direct a partner how to perform the Tame the Tiger Stance (Stripe).