Tai Chi Chi Kung - is an exercise form aimed at balancing the body's energy. It is a Chinese moving meditation with a series of specific postures that are done very slowly and gently with full awareness and mindfulness as a means for deep concentration, to stretch, strengthen and invigorate our whole being. The Tai Chi Chi Kung 4directions short form drill is the resultant co-ordination of certain Tai Chi stances and breathing methods of Chi Kung. Its special features are its simple movements requiring very little space to practice. It can be easily mastered, it is an exercise for all age.

Tai Chi Chi Kung was developed by isolating some of the Tai Chi Hand Form and creating movements that are easier to learn, but have maintained many benefits of Tai Chi. Chi Kung is essentially a system of energy promoting exercises which are designed to improve health.

Four Fundamental Forces Form

Introduction

The Four Fundamental Forces Form combines the movements learned in your basic Tai Chi class. This document provides the steps for performing the Four Fundamental Forces Form.

Four Fundamental Forces

As you recall from class, the four fundamental forces are

Peng (Ward off)—The central energy of the 8 different energies in Tai Chi. It is present every where in Tai Chi practice. It is also a technique of energy going upwards.

Lu (Roll back)—A sticking or stroking energy towards self and the side. It is Peng applied towards self and the side.

Ji (Spiral)—An offensive force transmitted by following the opponent's energy. Actually means to squeeze. It is the application of Peng forward. Sticking forward.

Ahn (Downward)—A force obtained by pushing and pressing with the palms. Normally it is a downward force. It’s the central energy Peng applied downwards.

The Tai Chi Four Directions Drill or Grasping Sparrow's Tail

The primary energies of Tai Chi (Taiji), Peng Lu, Ji, An, are executed to the four cardinal directions.

Peng, Lu, Ji, An, are in the four straight principal compas direction, they are called Sizheng.

Sizheng skills are the main things in hand skills.

For beginners learning them is very important because it is the way to understand Bafa.

Bafa are the eight hand skill methods.

Tsai, Lieh, Chou, and Kao, are the four diagonal directions. They are call Siyu and they assist or supplement the hand skills of Sizheng. This is Bagua, the Eight Trigrams.

The other philosophical concept of Wuxing (five elements) is the principle of Wubu, the five footwork skills.

The origine of Bagua is Wuxing.

The five elements express five basic attributes or features of the universe. So all hand skills are based on body movement skills and footwork skills.

Combining these together is Shi San Shi, Tai Chi Thirteen Postures. Or the Thirteen Basic Skills.

Shi San Shi is the foundation of all Tai Chi Chuan skills. All other skills come from the different variation and combination ot these skills. Repeated practice of the four energies into the four directions as a "drill", "exercise", or "meditation", will intuitively cause tremendously informative transformation of the meaning and execution of the tai chi movements in the solo form. Tai Chi should flow from one posture to another without a break in root. Learn the four directions solo drill, regardless of style.

The Tai Chi four directions drill, will train centered movement with unfailing certainty, and a practical understanding/feeling of "listen", "stick", "adhere", "follow".

Start by marking out a workspace. Layout a marker for N, then take two steps back from it, place a marker for S at your heels.Take one step forward, then one step to the right, place a marker for E. Now take two steps directly backward from E, and place a marker for W at your heels.
Step into the center facing N, and starting with either hand, step to the N to Ward-Off, Roll back, Press and Push.

Turn to the direction of your back foot, and with the hand, Ward-Off, Roll back, Press and Push.

Use the direction markers to keep the drill "square". Continue, executing "grasp sparrow's tail" with the hand that leads into the turn. If you start facing N and begin with the right hand, continue until you return to the N with the right hand. You should also consider executing the drill beginning with the opposite hand for balanced training.

The solo Tai Chi four directions drill, will add a positive and powerful dimension to your Tai Chi solo form practice.

To learn the Four Fundamental Forces Form and the The Tai Chi Four Directions Drill,  please contact me.