Monday Morning Tai Chi Training Tip # 321
“13 Important Points”
As we get started with our summer in the park “Microscope” examination of the Yang 54 Form, here are some important points to work towards understanding. As the summer progresses, review these points on occasion to see how your understanding of Tai Chi has grown. This Tip, and all previous Tips are archived at my site – www.gilmanstudio.com.
The early history of Tai Chi Chuan is buried in the past and clothed in mystery. We do know the origins of our form, the Yang form, starting in the early to mid 1800’s. Yang Lu-chan got it from the Chen family, modified it and passed it to his sons, who passed it to their sons, who passed it to many of the modern masters.
Yang Chen-fu, grandson of Yang Lu-chan, really popularized our art and did quite a bit of writing. One such writing is his “13 Important Points”. It is so important to one’s progress and success in the practice of Tai Chi that you understand these. I highly recommend you put in some time and contemplate the meaning. This will lead to clarity and understanding of the whys and hows of our form.
* Sink the shoulders and drop the elbows.
* Depress the chest and raise the back.
* Let the chi sink to the lower tantien.
* The energy at the top of the head should be light and sensitive.
* Relax the waist and hips.
* Distinguish full and empty.
* Coordinate upper and lower body.
* Use the mind and not force.
* Harmonize the the internal and external.
* Connect the mind and chi.
* Seek stillness in movement.
* Unify stillness and motion.
* Each posture should be even and uniform.