Selected Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan and Sword

Author: Liu Enjiu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-05-01
Features: Practice Tai Chi According to Reason to Defend and Build a Strong Body
Summary: Wuji gives birth to Taiji, Taiji divides into Liangyi, Liangyi gives birth to Sisi, Sisi gives birth to Bagua, and then gives birth to four directions and four corners, making up eight hands, namely Peng, Lü, Ji, An, Cai, Lie, Elbow, and Kào. The feet follow the five elements in square form, and the hands operate the Bagua like a net. The eight methods combined with the five elements make up the Tai Chi Thirteen Postures. The method follows Yin and Yang, movement follows the mind, it connects the meridians, and reaches the skin and flesh. It is refined into the marrow, changing the body and hands. Using the waist as the axis, the mind leads the movement, the eyes follow the body, and the method changes. The root rises and falls.
1. Root Rising and Falling: Building the Foundation
All martial arts require basic training. Especially Tai Chi needs a solid foundation. Tai Chi requires relaxation and cannot stretch the tendons and bones. If the joints and muscles are loose, they cannot achieve flexibility. Any slight force will show stiffness, and mentally, tension will inevitably arise. The body and mind cannot relax further. Therefore, every movement, whether with the hands or feet, carries a sense of stagnation, internally tight and externally stiff. The movements cannot be performed, and they must be withdrawn. Not only is it lacking in aesthetics, but it also leaves the practitioner dissatisfied. The main reason is poor basic training. To eliminate this problem, one must seek it from the waist and legs. This is the principle of the fist.
The following methods can be used for basic training:
1. Leg Stretching, Kicking, and Standing Posture
(1) Leg Stretching. Leg stretching includes forward stretching and side stretching. Forward stretching involves standing the supporting leg straight with the toes forward. The other leg's heel is placed on a high platform, exceeding the height of the waist (or shoulders, or head), with the toes curled back. The body leans forward, chest touching the knees, and then stands up. This is repeated until the hip can be split open, the thighs and calves can touch the ground, both legs can be exchanged and rotated, and the toes can touch the forehead or nose. Side stretching involves standing the supporting leg straight with the toes to the left (or right). The other leg's heel is placed on the inside of the supporting leg. The body leans to the left (or right) and stretches downward. Both sides are alternated until the hips are split open. Leg stretching is a slow practice. Do not rush to succeed to prevent muscle and tendon injuries.
(2) Kicking. As the saying goes, "One kick is better than a hundred stretches." After stretching the legs, kick the legs: practice forward kicks, backward kicks, side kicks, inward kicks, outward swings, double kicks, and whirlwind kicks. This practice can be divided into splitting feet, (), and swinging lotus kicks as the foundation. The speed should be fast, and the effort should be maintained. It must be done regularly.
(3) Standing Posture. Standing posture, also known as (), is a very important basic skill. It not only increases leg strength but also trains the practitioner's endurance. Standing posture is a tough task. Beginners not only fail to feel its subtleties but also find it both hard and tiring, making it seem pointless. This makes it difficult to persist. However, after the practitioner persistently practices for some time, they will feel the flow of air moving, the meridians opening up, and a sense of ease and joy. Standing posture includes Horse Stance Posture, Rising Standing Posture, Empty Stance Posture, and Walking Posture (single-form postures).
Open Standing Posture: Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, with the outer edges of the feet aligned with the shoulders. The center of gravity is on both legs. The requirements are to stand upright, relaxed, with the chest slightly inward, the back straight, shoulders relaxed, elbows lowered, the anus lifted, the top of the head lifted, the knees not exceeding the toes, the hips rounded, the buttocks smooth, the tongue touching the upper palate, and both eyes looking forward and inward at the Dantian. Breathe deeply and deeply into the Dantian.
Horse Stance Posture is similar to Open Standing Posture, with the main difference being that the distance between the feet in Horse Stance Posture is about two and a half times the width of the feet, with a deeper squat, relaxed hips, and thighs horizontal. Other requirements are the same as those for Open Standing Posture.
Empty Stance Posture: The center of gravity is firmly placed on the back leg, with the front foot's heel or sole lightly on the ground, forming an empty step. Other requirements are the same as before.
Walking Posture: This is a single-form in the fist. Examples include Lifting Knee and Parting Horse Mane () and Parting Horse Mane (). After adjustment, it can be held for three to five minutes without changing the form. In variations, the importance of "adding solidness" in variations can be understood. When practicing standing posture, the standard movements should be done correctly; the duration can be long or short, and continuous movements are not required. Other requirements are the same as before.