The Six Harmonies is a Tai Chi theory used to teach how to coordinate movements between the three outer joints (6 total, 3 on each side) and the coordination of three inner processes that align emotion and intention. Although “harmony” is a good start, it does not just mean “moving together.” It also implies a connection between movements.
External Harmonies (san wai he)
1) The hands are compatible with the feet.
2) The hips are in line with the shoulders.
3) Elbows are compatible with knees.
Inner Harmonies (san nei he)
1) The heart adapts to the intention.
2) Intention is in harmony with Chi.
3) Chi harmonizes with movement.
Coordination of the Six Harmonies
“Coordination” or “Alignment” involves good posture and body parts moving in harmony. This does not mean that you move like a robot or that your body parts do not move in different directions from time to time. Alignment can also mean that the angles of the joints are the same or that body parts move in the same direction. An example of this last point would be your hand moving forward and your toes pointing in that direction.
Coordination of External Compliances
Coordination of external alignments is the direct alignment of joint pairs. In tai chi we are initially concerned with hip and shoulder alignment because the other two alignments will depend on this primary structural alignment. This can be easily examined by looking in the mirror and making concrete adjustments. Let's take a look:
The hands are in harmony with the feet: the toes are pointed in the direction the hand is moving, and the step and strike/grip come simultaneously. Proper alignment of the hands and feet leads to heavy pushes or impacts where the support of the ground is felt rather than the arm force.
The hips are in harmony with the shoulders: the shoulders are aligned over the hips. The hip joint (kua) and armpit are not collapsed. The rotational force is generated by the hips and carried out by the trunk. You can achieve this harmony by turning your entire body, not just your arm, as you move, and by maintaining an upright posture as if you were sitting in an invisible chair.
The elbows are in line with the knees: The elbows contract and expand together. A great example is shooting a free throw in basketball. The player squats, stands up, hands overhead, and releases the ball as soon as his entire body extends.
Coordination of Internal Harmonies
Internal coordination, harmony, depends on external coordination. Therefore, if you have not controlled your posture in different parts of Tai Chi form, external coordination will not give the desired result.
Coordinating internal harmonies is putting intention and will (brain and heart) behind the action.
The heart is in harmony with the intention: The heart is the emotion that ignites the fire of motivation. The energy transformation process begins with the participant making a conscious choice. I want to do Tai Chi. The clearer this is, the more effective it is.
Intention is in harmony with Qi: The mind then harmonizes with the energy. Your degree of intention will determine your degree of concentration.
Qi is in harmony with movement: Now is the time to take action. Your posture is good, you are focused, and you choose to move. The brain makes all the moves. Once your intention is set, you fire the nerve impulses and move forward.