1. Essential Concepts
Body skill is achieved by practical implementation of concepts. To understand taiji training, we must first understand basic concepts. The next section will discuss practice methods for developing embodied skill.
Zhongding (Centring of the Body)
Refers to the centre axis of the body that mainly consists of the spine from the tailbone to the top of the head. Releasing the musculature along the natural gravitational path along the standing skeleton will create the state for a centre axis. This will result in a condition in which the head and neck feel light and suspended as well as a corresponding sensation of being connected and grounded in the lower half. The centre axis is truly defined once rotation is introduced. Correct rotation is developed through passing force through the legs in an up and down spiralling action.
Chansi Jin (Silk Reeling)
Silk reeling is a training method that imparts a spiralling force trajectory with the aim of eliminating areas of “bound force” or tension in the body. The twining of the torso and four limbs with a ground path will eventually provide the practitioner with spiralling energy. By practicing over time and internalizing the method in a in a precise manner, the practitioner will feel the beginnings of yin yang physical coordination. By adding silk reeling movement to peng training, a practitioner will achieve the beginning stages of internal quality.
Peng (Expansion)
Peng can be defined as an overall proportional expansive quality of the body. This energy is a characteristic of all internal systems. From a mechanical standpoint peng is attained by the process of releasing tension in the musculature and attaining a clear ground path. The energy that arises from the ground will permeate into the rest of body via the skeleton. As a result, regardless of the physical posture employed for a martial application, the body will will have a robust, thick, energetic kinesthetic quality. In martial art practice, peng is a conforming energy and not an opposing force. Coordinated with a fully engaged awareness and precise outer physical shape, peng will allow a practitioner to harmonize with an opponent’s attacking or retreating energy. The concept is quite simple but achieving the ability is complex and requires developing a highly nuanced awareness of the body.
2. The Eight Forces in Taiji training
All the energies must work simultaneously with external shape and precisely with acute inner awareness while harmonizing with opponent
Peng (Expansion)
Peng is the overall intercepting neutral energy that permeates the body using inner awareness guiding the overall quality to create harmonization while still maintaining ones own equalized balance. Peng must permeate the body at all times, and is the predecessor to the other 7 energies
Lu (Rollback)
Lu is flowing with the direction of force coming in while maintaining your own centre while simultaneously seeking your opponents centre by using listening energy.
Ji (Press)
Ji is the entering force or reaction that fills gaps created by peng and lu.
An (Push)
An (push) is the perceived connecting force you have on your opponent's grounding power.
Cai (Pull)
"Pull" is a force that can usually be applied after An (Push). Cai (Pull) has the qualities of uprooting that is achieved by applying An (Push) force to the opponent to increasing their grounding pressure. The An (Push) forces their body to align into a cohesive frame upon which Cai (Pull) can then be used to uproot them.
Lie (Split)
"Lie (Split) is a combined force created from Lu (Rollback) and Ji (Press) which are used to entice a lengthening of the opponent's arm.The opponent will react by extending the arm creating a directional force. When the opponent's force-line crosses the centre of the body, it will be split using Lie (Split) to break the arm. This method must be trained with great caution to avoid injuring training partners.
Zhou (Elbow)
Elbow is can be used at any angle that has the advantage of using close quarters. As an example, in a forward direction, it can contact the centrepoint of the opponent's force line. After enticing the opponent's body to fall into neutral, the elbow can be used to uproot the opponent.
Kao (Bumping)
Relying on strong rooting and a spiraling energy (silk reeling), the practitioner can use any part of the body to "Kao (Bump) the opponent at an opportune time to occupy the space that they intend to occupy. By catching the timing correctly, the opponent will be forcefully driven back.