Tai Chi (Tai Chi Chuan) techniques evolved through the monks' observations, discussions, thoughts, and experiments regarding movements and energy flow. The thirteen postures are divided into two categories:
The first is the eight ways of directing energy with the arms.
These are known as the Eight Gates, which are said to be related to the eight trigrams (Bagua) of the I Ching.
The second category is based on taking steps and is a five-stepping path called the Five Steps.
These movements are associated with the Five Elements: metal, water, wood, fire and earth.
EIGHT GATES:
The first four energies are found in the Sparrow's Tail Hold pose and are known as the Four Primary Hands:
Péng - Remove, block
Lŭ – Undo
Jĭ – Press
Àn – It
Căi – Pull, tear off
Liè – Divide, break into pieces
Zhŏu – Elbow strike
Kào - Throw your shoulders
1. Peng (Remove - Block)
(First part of The Sparrow's Tail)
Peng is the primary energy and can be seen in all other energies. Peng is a ‘moving’ energy and has an expanding, opening quality, similar to filling a balloon or how wood floats on water. It is like a buffer zone. Instead of using raw physical force, Peng trains a connection that passes through the ground, through the body, to open and expand through the arms with mental intent, ultimately uprooting the opponent. We ward off any attack using yang jin (jin means energy). Peng energy is always used when moving, taking, gathering and striking.
2. Lu (Undo)
(Second part of Grab the Sparrow's Tail - pulling both arms out to the side and slightly down)
If Peng "moves" energy, Lu "collects" energy. It has a flexible absorbing quality where one connects to the opponent's approaching force and 'sticks' or 'contacts' as it moves in the direction of the force, eventually directing that force into the void. Lu energy takes in energy and collects it, or draws energy inward. The greater the force of the opponent's attack, the greater the loss of balance.
3. Ji (Press)
(The third part of Grab the Sparrow's Tail, which we first centered on, is the hand at the wrist)
If Peng moves energy and Lu ‘collects’ energy, then Ji ‘receives’ energy. Ji is a movement that attacks yang and although the Chinese character means to squeeze, it also means to ‘press’. Again, the power comes from the centre in the lower dantian. The elbows are squeezed inwards as the lower dantian is squeezed. One hand is placed on the inside of the wrist. This hand is yin, the outside hand is yang. This is not just an arm movement, it is a whole body movement designed to throw the opponent off balance. Ji energy is ‘moving forward to take the opponent and hold on to him’. It is not a push, it is a press.
4. Moment (Push)
(The last part of Grab the Sparrow's Tail where the energy is pushed onto the attacker)
If Peng is moving energy, Lu is ‘collecting’ energy and Ji is ‘receiving’ energy, then An is ‘striking’ energy. This is a yang attacking movement from the whole body, sending yin and yang Qi to vital points in the attacker’s chest. The thrust comes from anchoring to the ground, from the feet, from the feet to the palms, uprooting the opponent. In Taijiquan there is never a strike or attack with both hands at the same time, using the same force in both hands. Experienced tai chi players use a ‘fa-jing’ at the waist, allowing one hand to strike just before the other. The hands are yin first, then yang, thus releasing the yang Qi into the attacker.
The following four energies are said to make up the Four Corner Hands.
5. Cai (Pull, Tear)
This energy has a 'downward' movement and in martial practice is combined with a violent jerk of fa-jing. As always, the power comes from the centre, not just the arms and hands. It can be likened to picking or plucking fruit from a tree with a flick of the wrist. One hand is often placed directly above the other wrist to aid the power of this jerk.
6. Lie (Divide, Shatter)
A lie is an opening, dividing, or striking move that separates parts of an opponent's body in two directions. In a combat application scenario, place your leg behind your opponent and bring your own arms together across your chest, pivoting from the center, causing your opponent to fall backwards with opposing forces applied to their upper and lower body. Lie-powered stances are seen in the Wild Horse's Mane, and the White Crane's Wings Spread.
7. Zhou (Elbow strike)
Another method of attack known as the elbow strike is used when the opponent is close. It is usually a secondary move. And of course, the force comes from the center and is pushed from the feet.
8. Kao (Shoulder kick)
Often called a shoulder strike, this is not a primary attack but more of a defensive line. The power comes from the center using the legs and waist together. It is a full body strike energy. The peng energy is mobilized throughout the entire body and then the entire body is used as a single unit and the force is transmitted through the shoulder or back.
FIVE STEPS
The five movements that make up the rest of the thirteen postures are steps or directions:
Jin Bu – Progress
Tui Bù – Retreat
Zŭo Gù – Step left, look left
Yòu Pàn – Step right, look right
Zhōng Dìng - Strengthen the center, central balance
These movements are used to attack, retreat, recalibrate, and stay centered and balanced. The movement is continuous, smooth, and purposeful. These five steps also relate to the Five Elements Theory and the Eight Trigrams (Bagua).