Category: Head

  • 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.

  • Body Awareness in Qi Gong Practice

  • 太極法說 — Explaining Taiji Principles

    – 太極法說 EXPLAINING TAIJI PRINCIPLES 楊班侯 attributed to Yang Banhou [circa 1875] [translation by Paul Brennan, Sep, 2013] – [On the front cover, there are two titles for the manuscript and five personal stamps:] 太極法說〔吳愛仁堂〕 Explaining Taiji Principles (below which is placed a Wu Airen “property of” stamp) 吳鑑泉〔吳鑑泉章〕 Wu Jianquan [signature] (with his stamp)…

  • Nourishing Your Qi

    with Robert Peng

  • Taoist Health Preservation Neck Exercise

  • Four Ways of Equilibrium

    When your head is in equilibrium, your body will be in equilibrium. When your body is in equilibrium, you energy (Qi) will be in equilibrium. When you energy is in equilibrium, your mind will be in equilibrium. Reference: The Taoist Secrets of Long Life and Good Health: A Complete Programme to Rejuvenate Mind, Body and…

  • Cobra Breathing Exercise

    The cobra breath is a tantric breathing exercise. In essence, it is an energy-building breath. One uses breath to move kundalini energy up from the root chakra, at the base of the spine, to the crown chakra which lies at the crown of the head.The particular form cobra breath outlined below is used to expand…

  • Huang Xingxiang Five Loosening Exercises

    Master Huang Xingxian (Huang sheng Shuan) performing the 5 Loosening Exercises. Book reference: Relax, Deep Mind Taiji Basics Patrick Kelly ISBN 047600425x p.37 – 45 Links: Huang Sheng Shyan wikipedia.org

  • Silkreeling Training

    A perspective on silk-reeling training by Zhang Xuexin, a student of Feng Zhiqiang, 18-generation. Chen style Taijiquan and founder of Chen Style Xinyi Hun Yuan Taijiquan. Feng Zhiqiang, a leading student of Chen Fake is one of the most famous exponents of Taijiquan in the world. He is also well-known for promoting a complete set…

  • Song of Substance and Function

    1. Taijiquan. Thirteen postures. The marvel lies in the nature of qi; yin and yang. 2. It changes into infinity and returns to the one. Returns to the one, taijiquan. 3. The two primary principles (yin and yang) and four manifestations are without boundary. To ride the wind, the head is suspended at the crown,…

  • The sixteen steeps of transferring power

    1. Root and twist the foot, allowing power to travel up the leg. 2. Let the power spring upward at the knee. 3. Allow the power to move freely in any direction at the waist. 4. Drive the power upward through the back. 5. Let the power penetrate to the crown point at the top…

  • The Ten Essentials of Taijiquan Theory

    Dictated by Yang Chengfu, recorded by Chen Weiming 1. An intangible and lively energy lifts the crown of the head. This refers to holding the head in vertical alignment, with the spirit threaded to the top of the head. One must not use strength; using strength will stiffen the neck and inhibit the flow of…

  • What is the use of suppleness?

    Q: Tai Chi seeks to be supple but what is the use of suppleness? A: Seeking suppleness enables you to separate your body into pieces. If an opponent pushes against your forearm, your elbow doesn’t move; if against your elbow it moves, but not your shoulder; if against your shoulder it moves, but not your…

  • Thirteen Important Points in Taijiquan

    Sink the shoulders and drop the elbows; contain the chest and pull up the back; the qi sinks to dantian; an intangible energy lifts up the crown of the head; loosen the waist and kua; distinguish empty and full; upper and lower follow one another; use mind intent, not strength; inner and outer are united;…

  • Master Huang’s 14 Important Points

    1. Calmness – use Deep Mind (Xin) to calm and balance the energy. Suspend the head – empty the neck, send intention (Yi) to top of head. The gaze is level – use peripheral vision to be aware of left and right. Loosen and open the chest – ensure breastbone and upper-spine vertical, supporting the…