The Ten Principles Of Yang Chengfu Tai Chi Chuan:
– The ten principles of yang cheng fu tai chi chuan are guidelines for the practice of tai chi chuan that Grandmaster Yang Chengfu orally provided to his senior student, Chen Wei Ming, who recorded them in writing. They are as follows¹:
- Empty, lively, pushing up and energetic. This means the head is upright and straight and the spirit is infused into its apex. You should not use strength or tension but rather have an intention that is empty, lively, and natural. This will help you raise your spirit and posture.
- Hold in the chest and slightly round the back. This means the chest is slightly reserved inward, which causes the chi to sink to the dantian (the lower abdomen). The chest should not be puffed out, as this will block the chi in the chest region and make the upper body heavy and the lower body light. The back should be slightly rounded, which makes the chi stick to the back and allows you to emit strength from the spine.
- Relax the waist. The waist is the commander of the whole body. Only after you are able to relax the waist will the legs have strength and the lower body be stable. The alternation of empty and full all derive from the turning of the waist. If you lack strength in your form, you should look for it in the waist and legs.
- Separate empty and full. In tai chi chuan, separating empty and full is the number one rule. If the whole body sits on the right leg, then the right leg is deemed ‘full’ and the left leg ‘empty.’ If the whole body sits on the left leg, then the left leg is deemed ‘full’ and the right leg ‘empty.’ Only after you are able to distinguish empty and full will turning movements be light, nimble and effortless; if you can’t distinguish them, then your steps will be heavy and sluggish, and your stance will not be steady.
- Sink shoulders and drop elbows. The shoulders should be completely relaxed downward and open to the sides. The elbows should also be relaxed downward and not lifted outward or upward. If you lift your shoulders or elbows, then your chi will rise up and your whole body will lose strength.
- Use mind instead of force. In tai chi chuan, all movements are guided by the mind (yi), not by external force (li). You should use your mind to direct your chi, and use your chi to move your body. You should not use brute force or stiffen your muscles or joints. If you use your mind instead of force, then your movements will be light, agile, round, and smooth.
- Upper and lower follow one another. In tai chi chuan, the upper body coordinates with the lower body, and vice versa. When one part moves, every part moves; when one part is still, every part is still. The root is in the feet, which transmit force through the legs to the waist; then from the waist through the spine to the arms; then from the arms to the fingers; like a whip that moves in a continuous wave.
- Inner and outer are united. In tai chi chuan, inner refers to mind (yi) and intention (xin), while outer refers to form (xing) and energy (qi). The inner should harmonize with the outer, meaning that there should be no discrepancy between what you think or feel and what you do or show. Your mind should lead your energy, and your energy should express your form; like a string that connects a needle.
- Continuity without interruption. In tai chi chuan, all movements are connected like a string of pearls or a flowing river; there is no beginning or end; there is no separation or isolation; there is no stopping or stagnation; there is only constant change and transformation; like a circle that has no corners or edges.
- Seek stillness in movement. In tai chi chuan, movement contains stillness; stillness contains movement; movement and stillness are relative; they depend on each other; they complement each other; they balance each other; they become each other, like yin and yang that form a whole.
¹: Yang Family Tai Chi (2019). The Ten Essentials of Tai Chi Chuan https://yangfamilytaichi.com/2019/08/28/the-ten-essentials-of-tai-chi-chuan/
Source: Conversation with Bing, 23/06/2023
(1) YANG CHENG FU – 10 PRINCIPLES – redorchidtaichi.com. http://www.redorchidtaichi.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/YANG%2520CHENG%2520FU%252010%2520PRINCIPLES2.pdf.
(2) The Ten Essentials of Tai Chi Chuan – Yang Family Tai Chi. https://yangfamilytaichi.com/2019/08/28/the-ten-essentials-of-tai-chi-chuan/.
(3) Yang Cheng Fu’s 10 Essential Principles – Tai Chi Online Classes. https://taichionlineclasses.com/yang-cheng-fus-10-principles/.
(4) Ten Essential Principles of Yang Chengfu – everydaytaichi.org. http://www.everydaytaichi.org/ten-essentials-of-yang-chengfu.html.
