Tai Chi blogs

Since there are no new lessons to post in this blog, I wanted to refer you to other tai chi blogs that you may be interested in. There aren't many tai chi blogs out there, especially those getting updated regularly.

• Classical Tai Chi Blog


• Tai Chi Daily


• Taiji Blog


• Chair Tai Chi

Long time, no post

I haven't posted for a while because I've reached the end of the materials from my father's notes. In my first post, I wrote that I created this blog to commemorate my father, who was an avid tai chi practitioner. He was working on a tai chi website before he passed away, and I took his notes to make this blog.

I still plan to update this blog, but I will be using other tai chi information that I find for subsequent posts. I hope you will stay tuned.

Cloud Hand

The Cloud Hand is one of the most important forms in Tai Chi practice. One Tai Chi proverb states that "Tai Chi is no hand, hand is everywhere". In all Tai Chi movements, the hands form a frame; it follows from rotation of the torso. Besides the hands, the shoulder, elbow, and every body part is a weapon.

The following are the hand movements for the Cloud's form. (Practice 15 minutes everyday.)

Stand with both legs parallel, apart one and a half shoulders width.

Position 1: Right palm face at left side with thumb inside. Left palm face right with thumb outside.

Position 2: Right palm rotate outward and left palm rotate inward.

Position 3: Both palms face down. Right thumb points outward and left thumb points inward.

Position 4: Both arms continue to rotate.

Position 5: Left palm face right with thumb pointing inward and right palm face left with thumb facing outward.

Position 6: Left palm rotate outward and right palm rotate inward.

Position 7: Both palms face downward. Right thumb points inward and left thumb points outward.

Position 8: Both arms continue to rotate back to first position.

Chi - Protection

Having concave chest and extended back is not just to make it easy for chi to pass through the body. It is also to protect the internal body. At point of contact with an opponent, the force at our arm immediately passes to our body and ends in our back. Efficient circular movement can absorb most of the incoming force.

Chi - Solid and Empty

The solid leg most of the time is the leg that supports most of your weight. The opposite of the solid leg is the empty leg. usually, if the right leg is the solid leg and the left leg is the empty leg, then the left hand will be solid and the right hand will be empty. Actually, the leg where the push point is in is the solid leg. Also, the hand where the lead point is in is the solid one.

How can the leading point and push point be on the same side? How can your opponent know ahead of time which side is solid or empty? The answer is open/closed. The relaxation of the body makes opening and closing happen in an instant. All control is in the mind, which directs movement. Therefore, the reaction force from the push point at the leg will go through the body and shoulder to the lead point at the hand.

Chi - Lead Points

Like an arrow or nail, the sharp head is the leading point. The difference between Tai Chi and other exercises is that the leading points change during movement, since Tai Chi is a circular movement. In the beginning, most teachers tell you to focus your eyes at a certain position. Actually, they want you to concentrate on that point in order to lead chi there.

In Tai Chi, it is required to make sure chi flows to the lead point through the push point. When you make contact with your opponent, the lead point is the contact point. In order to make sure the lead point reaches the contact point, follow Chen's style called a scroll movement. The most important thing is to sink your shoulders to lead the hand instead of moving the hand.

Form 24: Close Form

1. Turn palms downward.
2. Separate arms about shoulder-width apart and lower both hands naturally to the sides of the hips.
3. Shift weight onto right leg and bring left foot next to right foot. Stand naturally and look straight ahead.