The main focus of Tai Chi Chuan practice is to train the “dang” (crotch area). Especially in Zhao Bao Tai Chi Chuan, the dang is the key to internal strength. Whether Tai Chi Chuan is lively or not depends on the operation of the dang. If the dang is not flexible, the movements will inevitably be sluggish. The dang and hips are the secrets of Tai Chi Chuan. This so-called “heavenly mechanism” refers to the key points of mystery, and all movements and changes rely on this. Without understanding this secret, it is difficult to achieve Tai Chi skills. Therefore, practicing Zhao Bao Tai Chi Chuan primarily involves training the dang. The dang is the key to the heavenly mechanism. Without the operation of the dang, Zhao Bao Tai Chi Chuan does not exist, highlighting its importance. To inspire those who practice Tai Chi Chuan, I emphasize cloning Tai Chi, even cloning the intricate details of a Tai Chi master’s form, to understand how to operate the dang and control the whole body’s movements with precision.
In Tai Chi Chuan, the dang plays a leading role, and its operation is hard to express in words. In the past, teachers used the analogy of puppet theater to explain the role of the dang and hips in Tai Chi Chuan. Puppet theater is performed with hands; without hands, there is no performance. This metaphor aptly captures the importance of “using the dang instead of the hands” in Tai Chi Chuan. Practicing Zhao Bao Tai Chi Chuan requires understanding how to “operate the dang,” and Tai Chi master Zheng’s method is extremely subtle, appearing as if it is not there. The higher the skill, the smaller the movement circles, making the changes imperceptible, which keeps the opponent unaware of one’s depth and variability.
The operation of the dang and hips in Tai Chi Chuan can also be likened to the flywheel of a watch, known as the “pivot flywheel” or “ghost pushing the mill.” The flywheel is the basic power source of a watch, maintaining balanced operation with precise accuracy. Unlike a conventional fixed flywheel, the pivot flywheel’s rotation is not fixed, counteracting gravitational and weight-induced deviations. Similarly, the dang in Tai Chi Chuan involves two hips rotating around a central axis, creating a dynamic balance where the center of gravity is indiscernible. This forms a Tai Chi diagram flywheel, the source of Tai Chi’s operation, and the pivot of yin-yang changes, movement and stillness, opening and closing, and real and empty transitions.
“Using the dang instead of the hands” and “using the body to lead the hands” are principles of Zhao Bao Tai Chi Chuan, where the dang and hips drive the hands and whole-body movements. This, in turn, facilitates abdominal breathing and dantian rotation, described as “a wheel in the abdomen rotating like a compass.” The movement should be “gathered and expansive, resembling a gyroscope, with qi circulating like a wheel.” The dang and hips become the bridge between internal and external connections, applicable to other Tai Chi styles as well.
The concept of “form guiding essence” involves observing the form’s subtlety and achieving “fixed form,” which is the standard form. Cloning the form includes capturing the master’s spirit, whether from inside to outside or outside to inside, maintaining the interdependence of form and spirit. The operation of the dang and hips is critical for mastering Tai Chi Chuan and effective in push-hands practice. The body’s movements are sensitive to opponents, but the dang’s operation remains subtle. In Zhao Bao Tai Chi Chuan, “adjusting the dang” involves subtle changes that prevent the opponent from perceiving the depth of one’s movements, leading to effective counteractions.
To clone the master’s internal strength and spirit, one must “use the body to lead the hands,” focusing on the operation of the dang. Observing the teacher’s initiation of the dang and hips is crucial. Without understanding this subtlety, one cannot replicate the source of dang initiation or achieve “using the dang instead of the hands.” This understanding is vital for advancing in Tai Chi Chuan and essential in push-hands practice. “Form” movements are visible to the opponent, but dang operations are not, making them critical for effective responses.
In sum, practicing “using the dang” and “adjusting the dang” in push-hands is crucial for mastering Tai Chi Chuan’s techniques. Push-hands practice integrates the principles of “smooth force” and “touch force,” emphasizing the coordination of yin and yang, real and empty transitions, and opening and closing. This approach ensures effective engagement with the opponent, facilitating continuous improvement in Tai Chi Chuan skills. The mastery of “touch force” is the path to understanding force, crucial for internal strength and Tai Chi Chuan’s profundity.
