The way of standing Tai Chi is very important in the overall framework. It is like the base of a building, affecting whether the practitioner can establish a firm foothold and move freely. The correct way of standing can enhance the practitioner's stability and physical coordination, and can also make the Tai Chi moves more practical. Let’s talk about several key points of Tai Chi standing method in detail.
Starting gait
The starting posture looks easy, but it actually determines the basis and starting point of all subsequent movements. Stand side by side with a width similar to shoulders, like two deeply rooted trees, Tai Chi Courses Online , which looks stable and reliable. Bend your knees gently down, like a spring is ready to bounce off, which can lower the center of gravity of your body and become more stable. At the same time, you should pay attention to the soles of your feet to receive evenly, experience the support of the earth, as if combined with the earth, and be fully prepared for the next movement.
When starting the movement, your body must be straight and straight, and your head should be raised smoothly, as if the top of your head was pulled upward by a thin thread. Your arms should hang naturally, neither stiff nor loose, like a bird about to flap its wings, ready to swing lightly at any time. The eyes should be flat, concentrated and stable, as if the calm water surface does not cause any turbulence. Put all your energy into this starting moment, so as to have a pleasant experience with Tai Chi.
Progressive skills
Progress is a key movement method in Tai Chi. When moving forward, the foot that is ahead should be placed forward lightly . The movement should be as soft as a small insect falling into the water, and the other foot will slowly follow. The distance you take should be appropriate, and you should not be too wide to avoid being unable to stand firmly, nor should you be too narrow to appear unnatural. Throughout the journey, the center of gravity of the body must be stable, and it feels like a boat gliding on the water, steady and smooth.
When taking the first step, immediately move the center of gravity of your body forward and follow the other foot immediately so that the movement can continue. At this stage, the strength of the ankle and legs needs to be coordinated with each other, just like the instruments played in the band, each responsible for their own voices and can be integrated into a piece of music. When moving forward, you should also pay attention to cooperating with the hand movements to make the upper and lower body coordinated, just like yin and yang complement each other, both parties can achieve the best results.
The secret of retreat
When moving backwards, first let the back foot gently lift off the ground, like a moth ready to flap its wings, with a light and flexible posture. Then move slowly backwards, and the pace of movement should be even, neither too fast nor too slow. At this time, the center of gravity of the body should be adjusted steadily backward, and the front foot should slowly move forward with the pace of the rear foot. The entire backward movement step should be coherent and smooth, just like the stream in the valley, slowly moving forward without any pauses.
When taking the second half of the step, you must gain a firm foothold, as if a big rock sinks into still water and is firmly fixed. Then move the front foot and keep your body upright and not deflected. Moving backward is not only a marching skill, but also a means of adaptation. When practicing Tai Chi , a dexterity can help you escape danger and find the opportunity for counterattack, just like a wise military retreat, accumulating strength for subsequent offensives.
Side step mystery
Moving to the side is a step technique. When starting this step, one foot gently stepped out to the side, as if a swallow flew over the water, with a graceful and lively posture. While raising your feet, the center of gravity of your body should also be shifted to the side to ensure your body is stable. The other foot should be kept up immediately and the stepping foot should be kept at an appropriate distance, like two companions who cooperate and coordinate with each other.
When moving your body, be careful to exert force with the soles of your feet. First let the soles of the stepping foot touch the ground, and then slowly move the center of gravity of the body to the entire soles of the foot. The other foot should follow the rhythm of the front foot, move lightly, and follow the body. Side movement allows practitioners to easily change positions in actual combat and discover the opponent's weaknesses, just like mobile teams on the battlefield, looking for opportunities smartly.
Coordinate with step
Following the pace is closely related to behaviors such as moving forward and retreating, and plays the role of connecting the front and back. When following, the back foot needs to be connected quickly and lightly, maintaining an appropriate distance between the front foot. Controlling this interval is very important, a bit like cooperation between people, no more or less, just right. The rhythm of following should be coordinated with the previous movements and there should be no disconnection, so as to form a coherent overall movement.
When changing pace, the body needs to be highly coordinated. A slight swing of the waist can guide the movement of the limbs, just like the axis of the earth driving the rotation of the world. The movements of the arm must also be adjusted simultaneously, just like the natural response between the various parts of the body. Through pace changes, practitioners can maintain the continuity and rhythm of movements, making Tai Chi practice smoother.
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