Written by Master Peng Wen,
12th Generation Lineage Holder of Traditional Zhaobao Style Taijiquan
Translated by Timothy Griswold
Power in Taijiquan (太极拳) arises from the roots; from there it is transported by the waist; it then takes shape in the wrists; and it is lastly emitted by the fingers.
So called “internal energy” in Taijiquan refers to the power that arises from the entire body when it is moving in an integrated and coordinated manner. This type of movement is far from instinctual for most people. It typically takes a long period of correct training to override the natural instincts of the body and learn to move in such a manner.
The most essential training in this regard involves cultivating the body’s high-level ability to move in a manner that “matches the left with the right.” This refers to the coordination of one’s left hand with one’s right hand, and one’s left foot with one’s right foot. By implication, such training also involves matching the shoulders, elbows, waist, knees, etc. from the left and right sides of one’s body.
Following this in importance, the next emphasis should be “matching the top with the bottom.” This refers to, among other things, the coordination of the hands with the feet, the elbows with the knees, and the shoulders with the waist.
Closely following the cultivation of left-right / top-bottom coordination should involve training to “match the front with the back.” In more concrete terms, this refers to training the body to move with holistic coordination when advancing or retreating. In other words, the above-mentioned top-bottom / left-right coordinated movements should be accomplished concurrently with frontward or backward movements.
Finally, we reach the most high-level and abstract principle: “matching the internal with the external.” This refers to the perfect coordination of the movements of the body’s internal breath and energy, guided by intention, with the movements of the body’s external extremities. Training in this regard requires a lengthy explanation and should be the specific subject of another article.
These movements, collectively mentioned above, are referred to in traditional Kung Fu as “the Six Harmonies.”
The Six Harmonies, through systematic and specialized training, adjust and perfect the functions of each part of the body, causing them to work together in a holistic manner to produce power in conjunction with one another. The substantive effect of this is summarized by the four sentences at the top of this article.
The expression “arising from the roots” refers to the fact that the wellspring of power expressed throughout the body in form ultimately arises from beneath the feet. The human body is just like a tree. Its stability originates from deeply implanted roots.
The reference to “transportation by the waist” refers to the fact that the power emitted from beneath the feet is transferred when passing through the waist by left-to-right pivoting movements of the entire body.
The phrase “taking shape in the wrists” refers to the fact that the power generated throughout the entire body by a wide variety of comprehensive internal-external techniques expresses itself, in form, through the wrists.
The fourth step, of power being “emitted by the fingers,” emphasizes the phenomenon of the body’s internal energy being completely released through the guidance of deliberate intention. From there, such energy passes through the fingers, and finally, thoroughly penetrates the opponent.
The ultimately objective of the above-mentioned training, stated succinctly, is for every part of the body, from left to right, top to bottom, inside to outside, to work together as one highly integrated and coordinated unit.
Or, in other words, as the Chinese saying goes: “yi2 dong4 wu2 you3 bu2 dong4; yi2 jing4 wu2 you3 bu2 jing4” (一动无有不动，一静无有不静). This mean “when one moves, every part of the body moves; when one is still, there is no part that is not still.”
Movement and stillness perfectly complement one another; this is the way of Yin and Yang.
12th Generation Lineage Holder of Traditional Zhaobao Style Taijiquan
Translated by Timothy Griswold
Power in Taijiquan (太极拳) arises from the roots; from there it is transported by the waist; it then takes shape in the wrists; and it is lastly emitted by the fingers.
So called “internal energy” in Taijiquan refers to the power that arises from the entire body when it is moving in an integrated and coordinated manner. This type of movement is far from instinctual for most people. It typically takes a long period of correct training to override the natural instincts of the body and learn to move in such a manner.
The most essential training in this regard involves cultivating the body’s high-level ability to move in a manner that “matches the left with the right.” This refers to the coordination of one’s left hand with one’s right hand, and one’s left foot with one’s right foot. By implication, such training also involves matching the shoulders, elbows, waist, knees, etc. from the left and right sides of one’s body.
Following this in importance, the next emphasis should be “matching the top with the bottom.” This refers to, among other things, the coordination of the hands with the feet, the elbows with the knees, and the shoulders with the waist.
Closely following the cultivation of left-right / top-bottom coordination should involve training to “match the front with the back.” In more concrete terms, this refers to training the body to move with holistic coordination when advancing or retreating. In other words, the above-mentioned top-bottom / left-right coordinated movements should be accomplished concurrently with frontward or backward movements.
Finally, we reach the most high-level and abstract principle: “matching the internal with the external.” This refers to the perfect coordination of the movements of the body’s internal breath and energy, guided by intention, with the movements of the body’s external extremities. Training in this regard requires a lengthy explanation and should be the specific subject of another article.
These movements, collectively mentioned above, are referred to in traditional Kung Fu as “the Six Harmonies.”
The Six Harmonies, through systematic and specialized training, adjust and perfect the functions of each part of the body, causing them to work together in a holistic manner to produce power in conjunction with one another. The substantive effect of this is summarized by the four sentences at the top of this article.
The expression “arising from the roots” refers to the fact that the wellspring of power expressed throughout the body in form ultimately arises from beneath the feet. The human body is just like a tree. Its stability originates from deeply implanted roots.
The reference to “transportation by the waist” refers to the fact that the power emitted from beneath the feet is transferred when passing through the waist by left-to-right pivoting movements of the entire body.
The phrase “taking shape in the wrists” refers to the fact that the power generated throughout the entire body by a wide variety of comprehensive internal-external techniques expresses itself, in form, through the wrists.
The fourth step, of power being “emitted by the fingers,” emphasizes the phenomenon of the body’s internal energy being completely released through the guidance of deliberate intention. From there, such energy passes through the fingers, and finally, thoroughly penetrates the opponent.
The ultimately objective of the above-mentioned training, stated succinctly, is for every part of the body, from left to right, top to bottom, inside to outside, to work together as one highly integrated and coordinated unit.
Or, in other words, as the Chinese saying goes: “yi2 dong4 wu2 you3 bu2 dong4; yi2 jing4 wu2 you3 bu2 jing4” (一动无有不动，一静无有不静). This mean “when one moves, every part of the body moves; when one is still, there is no part that is not still.”
Movement and stillness perfectly complement one another; this is the way of Yin and Yang.
