Principles of Taichi Chuan Zhaobao

- Looking straight ahead

 

- Tongue to palate 

 

 

- Empty the neck and keep the energy at the top of the head

 

- Shoulders relaxed, elbows down, hands in line with forearms 

 

- Pull chest in slightly and stretch back

 

- Energy from the hara 

 

- Retroversion of the pelvis 

 

- Hips relaxed 

 

- Feet flat on the ground 

 

- all pivots are on the heels 

 

From these principles, all practices are derived 

 

Martial applications of taichichuan

 

Listen...Follow...Transform

 

Yield to the partner

Stick to the partner

Cling to the partner

Follow the partner

 

These four aspects are studied by working on the "push of the hands" (tuishou).

 

The defects to be avoided:

 

Going beyond one's limits

Losing balance

Interrupting the contact

Fighting brutally.

 

 

The 6 unions to perceive:

 

The heart unites with the intention

The intention unites with the breath

The breath unites with the energy

Hands unite with feet

Elbows unite with knees

Shoulders unite with hips

 

 

 

The 13 movements:

 

 

They are the very principles of taichuan, they are omnipresent in the taichuan sequences

 

 

Peng: to parry, to dodge

Lu : to pull

Ji : to press

An : to press, to push

Cai : to pick, to seize

Lie : to separate, split, break, tear

Zhou : elbow, to use one's elbow

Kao : to press with the shoulder

 

Jin : to move forward

Tui : to go backwards

Gu : to look to the left

Pan : to look to the right

Ding : keep the middle

 

3 other ancient techniques exist.

 

 

Cai jin: grabbing the tendons or grasping them.

Dian xue: hitting the vital centres.

Qin na: grasping and dislocating joints.

 

 

 Tuishou: pushing hands or sticking hands 

 

Dan bu tuishou: Each partner is in contact with an opposite hand. Both feet on the ground motionless: while the first one pushes forward with his waist slightly turned, the second one pivots his waist slightly backwards.

 

Ding bu tuishou: this time, both partners are in contact with both hands and perform the push as in the previous exercise.

 

Shang xia bu tuishou: this exercise is done in pairs, adding slight movements, one step forward for the one pushing and one step back for the one being pushed. Then, on several movements always keeping these aspects: front back and the rotation of the size, one can also make it while turning.

 

Yuan bu tuishou or bagua tuishou: this is done with one arm while turning. With each change of direction (to yin or yang) one changes arms. It is best to draw the yin yang symbol (taiji) on the floor and turn around it.

 

Huo bu tuishou: this exercise is more or less free since one can use the applications of the sequence, vary the speed but also use the keys (qin na) by gripping the tendons or muscles (cai) and exert pressure on sensitive areas (dian xue).

 

San shou or da shou: the exercise is free, self defence, similar to Chinese boxing.