tai chi martial arts Archives

Tai Chi

Why Tai Chi is the change of Yin and Yang under the feet

Master Yang Yuting, in his later years, described the essence of Tai Chi, saying, "Tai Chi is the change of Yin and Yang under the feet." This is truly insightful. To deeply understand the essence of Tai Chi, the actual movements of the form are not as important as the concept. This reminds me of what Wang Zongyue said, "Its root is in the foot, and it manifests in the fingers." Its Root in the Foot The boxing theory states: "Its root is in the foot, and it travels from the foot to the leg to the waist, all must be connected as one." and "Upper and lower body must follow each other, making it hard for others to penetrate." The wisdom of the ancient Tai Chi masters has saved many later generations from taking the wrong path in their studies. Enlightened by these predecessors, I had an epiphany and deeply realized that the essence of Tai Chi is in the foot; the foot is the root.

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October 17, 2023

Tai Chi

HealthMartialBenefits

Why more you practice Tai Chi, the healthier you become ?

As the saying goes, "After three years of learning boxing, you may lose your skills in just three days." "One day of practice brings one day of progress; ten days without practice result in a hundred days of emptiness." These sayings illustrate the importance of consistent practice in martial arts. Without the determination to practice diligently and view Tai Chi Chuan as a way of health preservation, not just a remedy for illness or a form of physical exercise, individuals are more likely to experience a decline in their skills. Once the skills are lost and various ailments arise, regrets will follow.

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August 6, 2023

Tai Chi

BeginnerGuide

Tai Chi Before or After Eating? Food, Water & Meal Timing

　If you ask me whether it is better to practice Tai Chi before or after eating, my answer is simple: I don't like practicing when I am either very hungry or very full. For morning practice, I usually drink warm water first, eat only a light amount if I need food, practice Tai Chi, then give my body some time to settle before having a larger meal. 　After more than four decades around traditional Chinese martial arts, I've found that complicated diet rules are rarely necessary for ordinary Tai Chi practice. What matters more is comfort. When my stomach is too full, turning the waist, sinking, stepping and breathing simply don't feel right. When I'm extremely hungry, concentration can suffer too.

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August 3, 2023

Tai Chi

BeginnerGuide

7 Tips to loose up when practice Tai Chi

Warm-up preparation According to the sequence of practicing boxing, warm-up is essential for relaxation. Before punching, stretch your muscles, move your joints, and gently move your whole body, which helps to relax both physically and mentally. Unfortunately, many practitioners neglect these simple warm-up exercises because they don't value their importance. Even if they do warm up, it's often done half-heartedly. Little do they know that without proper warm-up, the effectiveness of boxing will be compromised, and it may even lead to injuries. Cultivate a tranquil mind A calm mind leads to a relaxed body, and a relaxed body facilitates a tranquil mind. They are interdependent and mutually reinforcing, forming a dialectical relationship. If you talk while practicing boxing, it will not only disrupt your movements and disperse your internal energy ("qi") but also make it challenging to relax your…

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August 3, 2023

Tai Chi

BeginnerGuide

How to prevent knee injury when practicing Tai Chi ?

As Tai Chi, an outstanding martial art of Chinese Wushu, has gained recognition for its health benefits with the development of society, an increasing number of people now participate in learning and practicing Tai Chi. However, among those who practice Tai Chi, some individuals often experience varying degrees of knee joint pain and, in some cases, even long-term knee joint injuries. So, how can one avoid injuring the knee joints while practicing Tai Chi?

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July 29, 2023

Tai Chi

forms

Tai Chi – How to prepare the form

Sometimes, we can witness a situation where someone practices Tai Chi hurriedly without any proper adjustment. They start comparing moves without focus, their hands and feet lack stability, and once they finish, they hastily leave. What are they missing? They lack the essential adjustments and perseverance required to enter the realm of Tai Chi. The so-called entry into the realm of Tai Chi primarily involves adjusting both body and mind. The lessons from many years of practicing Tai Chi have taught me that before every practice session, one must diligently adjust their body and mind. If this adjustment is neglected, the effectiveness of the Tai Chi practice will be greatly diminished. Moreover, this adjusted state must be maintained throughout the entire practice. Ignoring the preparation of body and mind before practicing Tai Chi will hinder the path to understanding Tai Chi deeply, and at its worst, one's entire practice session will be in vain.

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July 29, 2023

Read more about the article How is the force of a punch generated?

martial secrets

Principles

How is the force of a punch generated?

There are various methods to obtain force in martial arts, but they can be summarized into three main types: static force, dynamic force, and a combination of both static and dynamic force. For example, Muay Thai and boxing belong to the dynamic force type, while Tai Chi, Xingyi Quan, and Baguazhang belong to the static force type and the combination of static and dynamic force. Of course, the distinction between dynamic and static force is not absolute; it simply refers to the emphasis on either dynamic or static aspects in the pursuit of force, resulting in distinct training styles and technical characteristics.

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July 28, 2023

Tai Chi

BeginnerGuide

Must learn Tai Chi readings

Part 1: "Inherent distinct method: At the beginning of life, one's eyes can see, ears can hear, nose can smell, mouth can taste; colors, sounds, fragrances, and tastes—all are natural perceptions, inherent goodness. The movements of hands and feet, the abilities of the four limbs—all are natural and inherent. When considering this, people become familiar without cause; human nature is close but also distant, lost and confused in the inherent. To restore our inherent, we must seek the root of movement through martial practice and the original source of perception through scholarly understanding. It is by moving that we perceive, and by perceiving that we feel. Without movement, there is no perception; without action, there is no sensation. When movement reaches its extreme, it becomes action; when perception is heightened, it becomes knowledge. The one who knows through action…

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July 27, 2023