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Category: taiji

  • Yi Leads Qi: How to Apply the Mind in Taiji Practice

    The most pivotal — and most misunderstood — instruction in all of Taijiquan: Yi (意, intent) leads Qi (氣, vital energy), and Qi moves the body. This post explores what that means in practice, how the classics explain it, and the developmental stages every serious practitioner must pass through.

  • The Rule of the Square and the Circle: T’ai Chi’s Hidden Geometry of Power

    The square and the circle are T’ai Chi boxing’s fundamental geometries — and both must always be present. Discover how the circular outer form conceals a square inner structure, and why this principle is the direct physical expression of Yin and Yang in martial practice.

  • Ma Hai Long and the Living Heart of Wu Taijiquan

    Dr. Ma Hai Long, son of Grand Master Ma Yue Liang, is the living guardian of Shanghai Wu-style Taijiquan. Drawing on his MADDECODE interviews and the classical teachings of his lineage, this post explores the five training principles, the four root principles of the Taiji Treatise, and how to apply them in daily practice.

  • 太極拳十要 – Yang Chengfu’s Ten Essential Points Explained

    Yang Chengfu’s Ten Essential Points (太極拳十要) are the foundational principles of Yang-style Taijiquan, orally transmitted to Chen Weiming and first published in 1925. Adam Mizner offers a layered, embodied commentary on each point — from the suspension of the crown to the stillness at the heart of movement.

  • The Treatise on Tai Chi Chuan (太極拳論)

    太極拳論 by 王宗岳 太極者，無極而生，陰陽之母也。動之則分，靜之則合。無過不及，隨曲就伸。人剛我柔謂之走，我順人背謂之黏。動急則急應，動緩則緩隨。雖變化萬端，而理為一貫。由著熟而漸悟懂勁，由懂勁而階及神明，然非用力之久，不能豁然貫通焉。虛領頂勁，氣沉丹田，不偏不倚，忽隱忽現。左重則左虛，右重則右杳，仰之則彌高，俯之則彌深，進之則愈長，退之則愈促。一羽不能加，蠅蟲不能落，人不知我，我獨知人。英雄所向無敵，蓋皆由此而及也。斯技旁門甚多，豈虛學哉！有旋轉之法，得心應手，惟口傳心授，方能得之。 The Treatise on Tai Chi Chuan by Wang Zongyue “Tai Chi is born from Wu Chi (the state of undifferentiated and limitless potential), and it is the mother of Yin and Yang. When there is motion, it divides; when there is stillness, it unites. Do not exceed or fall short; follow the…

  • Treaties of Tai Chi Chuan

    Famous Taiji Treatises

  • Dong Zhong Qiu Jing (动中求静)

    Dong Zhong Qiu Jing (动中求静) i.e. “Seek stillness within movement” is a fundamental principle in Tai Chi Chuan. The phrase encapsulates the harmonious integration of movement and stillness. In essence, “Seeking stillness within movement” teaches practitioners how to integrate mind and body seamlessly so that they can maintain a state of inner peace and balance…

  • Ju Shou Tou Zu (举手投足)

    The Tai Chi Chuan phrase “Ju Shou Tou Zu (举手投足)” translates roughly to “raising the hand and moving the foot,”. This phrase embodies the principle that even the simplest actions carry profound energetic intent and unity. Each movement, no matter how minor, is deeply integrated with the body’s inner Qi (vital energy) flow, driven by…

  • Shou Xin Ru Yi (手心如意)

    The Taiji phrase “Shou Xin Ru Yi (手心如意)” translates to “Hands and heart as one” or more commonly, “Heart’s desire fulfilled.” This phrase emphasizes the harmony between intention and physical movement in Tai Chi practice. Explanation: In the context of Tai Chi, “Shou Xin Ru Yi” means that the movements of your hands should be…

  • Answering Questions about Taiji taiji da wen)

    – 太極答問 附單式練法 ANSWERING QUESTIONS ABOUT TAIJI Including SINGLE POSTURE PRACTICE METHODS 陳微明 by Chen Weiming [1929] [translation by Paul Brennan, Oct, 2012] – 太極答問 Answering Questions About Taiji 附單式練法 including “Single Posture Practice Methods” – [calligraphy by Chen Weiming] – 剖晰毫芒 “Analyze and make clear the smallest details.” 李景林題 – calligraphy by Li Jinglin…

  • Tang Haos analysis of Wang Zongyue

    – 王宗岳太極拳經 / 王宗岳陰符鎗譜 AN ANALYSIS OF WANG ZONGYUE’S TAIJI BOXING CLASSICS AND CONCEAL & REVEAL SPEAR MANUAL 唐豪 by Tang Hao [published May 1, 1936] [translation by Paul Brennan, Nov, 2023] – 王宗岳考 [PART ONE] A LOOK AT WANG ZONGYUE HIMSELF – 王宗岳考目錄 CONTENTS FOR PART ONE 王宗岳的姓氏 [Chapter One] His Name 王宗岳的傳受源流 [Chapter…

  • Taiji Boxing according to Wu Tunan

    – 科學化的國術太極拳 A MORE SCIENTIFIC MARTIAL ART: TAIJI BOXING 吳圖南 by Wu Tunan [published by 商務印書館 The Commercial Press, LTD, Oct, 1931] [translation by Paul Brennan, Feb, 2017] – 科學化的國術太極拳 A More Scientific Martial Art: Taiji Boxing 褚民誼題 – calligraphy by Chu Minyi – 吳啚南著 by Wu Tunan: 科學化的國術太極拳 A More Scientific Martial Art: Taiji…

  • Adam Mizner 2022

  • Huai Hsiang Wang

  • How real is Tai Chi?

    Xu Xiaodong (MMA) vs Wei Lei (Tai Chi)