In Tai Chi Chuan, there are 13 postures (太极十三式) consisting of 8 Gates (八門) and 5 Steps (五步). These thirteen postures are the basis and reference for any and every movement in Tai Chi Chuan, regardless of style. Understanding these 13 basic postures is important for every practitioner of Tai Chi Chuan, because without them Tai Chi Chuan is difficult to do well and will lose its best value.
Key Points:
The Eight Gates (八門)
The first part of the 13 postures of Tai Chi Chuan is the 8 gates. As the name implies, the eight gates are eight doors (path, channel, way, method) for expressing energy (Jing). These eight gates correlate with the eight trigrams (八卦, bā guà).
Jing (勁)
In Chinese martial arts, Jing is a combination of vital energy (Chi) and muscular strength (Li) which is consciously controlled by the mind to manifest a will. Jing is the source of power for the thirteen postures of Tai Chi Chuan.
Peng (掤)
Correlated with the Heaven Trigram, this gate is Yang (hard) and represents expansion. Peng Jing is the power of flexibility as well as resilience, attack in the packaging of defense, defensive attack energy flowing out spontaneously and naturally.
"What is the meaning of Peng energy?
It is like the water supporting a moving boat.
First sink the ch'i to the tan-t'ien,
then hold the head as if suspended from above.
The entire body is lled with springlike energy,
opening and closing in a very quick moment.
Even if the opponent uses a thousand pounds of force,
he can be uprooted and made to oat without diculty."
- Tai Chi Classics: The Song of Peng -
Peng Jing was born in the thigh and kept all over the body. Mastering Peng Jing allows you to react to attacks and return them to their originators. Peng Jing was used to oppose as well as follow. When moving, receiving, collecting, and attacking, Peng Jing is always used. The whole body becomes like a spring that springs back when pressed. The stronger the spring is pressed, the stronger the repulsion.
Peng Jing is the essential energy of Tai Ch Chuan, and a source for other forms of energy. When training or fighting this energy should not be neglected. It can be said that Tai Chi fist is actually Peng Jing fist, because without Peng Jing there is no Tai Chi fist.
Lu (捋)
This gate correlates with the Earth Trigram, is Yin (gentle), and represents following and yielding. Lu Jing is the use of force in a sideways direction, as when you intercept an attack from the front and simultaneously divert it to one side and let it be wasted into the void.
"What is the meaning of Lu energy?
Entice the opponent toward you by allowing him to advance,
lightly and nimbly follow his incoming force
without disconnecting and without resisting.
When his force reaches its farthest extent,
it will naturally become empty.
The opponent can then be let go or countered at will.
Maintain your central equilibrium
and your opponent cannot gain an advantage."
- Tai Chi Classics: The Song of Lu -
A practical tactic is to bait a fake target for your opponent to attack. Like the matador, when an attack comes, take it with your hands, rotate your body, and allow your attacker's momentum to move past and beyond the point where the target should be. This will throw the attacker off balance. The greater the power of the attack, the more off balance he was.
Ji (挤)
Correlated with the Water Trigram, this gate represents danger. Ji Jing is energy to suppress or squeeze, follow to attack, offensive power that is given by following the opponent's energy.
"What is the meaning of Ji energy?
There are two aspects to its functional use:
The direct way is to go to meet the opponent
and attach gently in one movement.
The indirect way is to use the reaction force
like the rebound of a ball bouncing o a wall, or
a coin thrown on a drumhead,
bouncing with a ringing sound."
- Tai Chi Classics: The Song of Ji -
Ji Jing involves combining forces from two directions directed at the opponent. The two hands come together, the energy of the two forces is combined when there is not enough Peng Jin, in the same or opposite directions, the two energies merge to realize one will.
An (按)
Correlated with the Fire Trigram, this gate represents attachment and pushing. An Jing is energy to push, with strength coming from the feet, using one or both hands, and when directed downwards it creates a pull.
"What is the meaning of An energy?
When applied it is like flowing water.
The substantial is concealed in the insubstantial.
When the flow is swift it is dificult to resist.
Coming to a high place, it swells and fills the place up;
meeting a hollow it dives downward.
The waves rise and fall,
finding a hole they will surely surge in."
- Tai Chi Classics: The Song of An -
An Jing can be performed in any direction. To the front it became Peng Jing, to the side it became Lu Jing, combined it became Ji Jing. The resulting result depends on intention, it can be a push, it can also take the form of a pull, and when done quickly it turns into a punch. To truly understand this energy, think and act like water.
Tsai (採)
This gate correlates with the Trigrams of Wind, representing attraction and penetration. Tsai Jing is the energy of grasping, controlling and pulling with a single jolt, like picking tea leaves or picking fruit from a tree branch.
"What is the meaning of Ts'ai energy?
It is like the weight attached to the beam of a balance scale.
Give free play to the opponent's force
no matter how heavy or light,
you will know how heavy or light it is after weighing it.
To push or pull requires only four ounces,
one thousand pounds can also be balanced.
If you ask what the principle is,
the answer is the function of the lever."
- Tai Chi Classics: The Song of Tsai -
Tsai Jing is the force of a downward jerk to break the balance. Like using a lever to lift a heavy rock, use Tsai Jing to make your opponent lose control of their center of gravity. Done right, the opponent will be uprooted easily, no matter how big or strong he is. For practical effectiveness, the twist can be applied before or with the pull.
Lieh (挒)
This gate correlates with the Thunder Trigram, representing separating and inciting. Tsai Jing is the energy of splitting and splitting, carried out at close range quickly just inches from the target.
"What is the meaning of Lieh energy?
It revolves like a spinning disc.
If something is thrown onto it,
it will immediately be cast more than ten feet away.
Have you not seen a whirlpool form in a swift flowing stream?
The waves roll in spiraling currents.
If a falling leaf drops into it,
it will suddenly sink from sight."
- Tai Chi Classics: The Song of Lieh -
Lieh Jing can be thought of as the force that arises when your energy moves in two opposite directions, such as pulling with one hand and pushing with the other in a joint-breaking technique. Lieh Jing always needed two hands. When applied, Lieh Jing must not stop halfway, so shorten the distance and attack very quickly. A little practical advice, after doing Lieh Jing don't stop or stay still, always follow Lieh Jing with follow-up actions.
Chou (肘)
Correlating with the Lake Trigrams, this gate represents joy and frontmanship. Chou Jing is an attacking energy with elbow. Not just elbow strikes, but anything that requires elbow movement such as locking or rotating arms.
"What is the meaning of Chou energy?
Its method relates to the Five Elements.
Yin and Yang are divided above and below.
Insubstantiality and substantiality must be clearly distinguished.
Joined in unbroken continuity,
the opponent cannot resist the posture.
Its explosive pounding is especially fearsome.
When one has mastered the six kinds of energy,
the applications become unlimited."
- Tai Chi Classics: The Song of Chou -
Chou Jing is very important in practical application. Use Chou Jing to make your moves connected and uninterrupted. Chou Jing is used not only offensively but also defensively as in defense. When you are stretched too far, and Tsai or Lieh no longer work, immediately use Chou Jing.
Kao (靠)
Correlating with the Mountain Trigram, this gate symbolizes stillness and rest. Kao Jing is a full body attack, Peng Jing of the whole body unites in one attack, using the shoulder or back, done right can be very deadly.
"What is the meaning of K'ao energy?
Its method is divided into the shoulder and back technique.
In Diagonal Flying Posture (斜飛勢, Xié fēi shì) use shoulder,
but within the shoulder technique
there is also some use of the back.
Once you have the opportunity and can take advantage of the posture,
the technique explodes like pounding a pestle.
Carefully maintain your own center.
Those who lose it will have no achievement."
- Tai Chi Classics: The Song of Kao -
Kao Jing can be thought of as using your entire body weight and smashing it into your opponent. Usually the body part used is the shoulder or back, but other body parts can also be used. Kao Jing can be used as an attack, breaking the balance, or as a defense. Like Chou Jin, when you are stretched too far, and your hands and feet are locked, use Kao Jing to smash into the opponent and break free.
The Five Steps (五步)
The second part of the 13 postures of Tai Chi Chuan is the 5 steps, or 5 ways of stepping. In Tai Chi Chuan, there are five kinds of steps, and the five are correlated with the 5 elements: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water.
Jin Bu (進步) - Step forward
Jin Bu is a forward step and correlates with the Metal element. One foot steps forward with the weight remaining on the back foot, place the heel of the front foot on the ground, transfer the body weight to the front foot while the sole of the foot is planted on the ground, the final position is 70% of the body weight resting on the front foot with the knee of the back leg slightly bent. This position is called the forward stance or bow stance.
Jin Bu is important in Tai Chi Chuan. Pushing, hitting, bumping, breaking balance, closing distance, pressing, all use this move. As the ancient Tai Chi proverb says: "Enter (go forward, enter the opponent's defense) means birth while retreat means death", in Tai Chi Chuan the word retreat is not known. Dodging is done by using the rear leg as a rudder to turn and change direction, not backwards.
Tui Bu (退步) - Stepping backwards
Tui Bu is when you step towards the back of your body and correlates with the Wood element. From the bow stance, move your weight from the pedestal (front) to the hind leg, in this position it is as if you are sitting on the pedestal and the front leg only supports less than 10% of your body weight. From this position continue by stepping your front foot back and placing your foot on the ground, this final position is the same as the initial position (bow stance) but with a different foothold.
In practical application it is better to shift left/right or forward sideways than backwards, because going backwards is dangerous. So you can't go backwards? Of course you can, but make sure not to retreat in the direction of the opponent's line of attack. When your opponent advances he is Metal, so retreating (Wood) is not a wise choice because, according to the five elements cycle, Metal will dismember Wood. When you step back, do it while shifting to the left or right, like writing the Chinese character Ren (人) with your feet, and instill the mindset that going back is just a preparatory step for moving forward.
Zuo Gu (左顧) - Shift to the left
Zuo Gu is when you shift to the left side of your body and correlates with the Water element. Stand in a neutral position, body straight, look forward, feet shoulder-width apart. Transfer your weight to your right foot, shift your left heel to the left, move your weight to your left foot while placing your feet on the ground. Pull your right leg to the left and plant it on the ground, evenly distributing your body weight on both feet. The final position is the same as the initial position, keeping your eyes straight ahead.
You Pan (右盼) - Shift to the right
You Pan is when you shift to the right side of your body and correlate with the Fire element. The way to do it is the same as Zuo Gu, only in a different direction.
Zhong Ding (中定) - Central position
Zhong Ding is a central position and correlates with the Earth element. Stand straight, open your feet parallel and shoulder-width apart, look straight ahead, bring your center of gravity down, head straight as the top of your head is hung by a rope from above, relax.
Zhong Ding is about balance, not only physically but also mentally, a state where your whole being is in a calm and harmonious balance. Stable and favorable neutral position. Not Yin or Yang but both. From this position you are free to react and move in any direction quickly, precisely and steadily, naturally.
