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Basic Principles of Tai Chi Chuan Relaxation The entire body, especially the chest, shoulders and elbows must always be relaxed, but never collapsed. The body should be soft, tension-free. Emptiness and Fullness Distinguish clearly between yin and yang in the body in the moment that it moves. As a rule, when more of the body weight is, as an example, on the right leg, then it is the yang, and the left leg, having less than 50 % of the weight, the yin. The upper body- from above the waist- must be empty, as yin, yielding, non- opposing, the legs are filled, they are yang. Evenness and Slowness The Form must flow continuously, no pause and interruption, no change in tempo. This develops exactness, better balance and patience. Balance The spine must be straight and vertical for maximum strength and balance, no tilting, no over-extension and twisting, no double-weighting of the legs or equal distribution of weight on each leg. Rooting and Sinking Relaxation and Sinking create rootedness. Sinking is dropping the center of gravity to the lowest possible level- in a gradual manner from the chest to the waist, to the legs and down to the soles of the feet. Coordination and Centering The body must move as a single unit, no isolated sections moving independently. The extremities only reflecting the torso movements, the head follows the body, keeping the center fixed on the Tan Tien, the mind follows the body and breathing. Breathing and Chi Chi means breath-energy or life-energy. Since ancient times, proper breathing was considered absolutely essential for correct performance of Tai Chi chuan. Basically, inhaling is done when the arms are contracted and exhaling when streched. Concentration The form should be performed with full mental concentration, applying all these basic principles during the performance.
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