Li Tianji - The Truths About Taijiquan

Text of a lecture at the Wuhan International Taijiquan and Taijijian Display and Exchange Meeting, Wuhan, China, April 1984 by Distinguished Taijiquan expert Li Tianji

“Regardless of whether one is learning traditional Taijiquan sequences, or studying the newly-compiled materials, Taijiquan's characteristic features should be maintained and expression given to its basic essentials. The Wushu competition rules incorporate five points concerning the characteristic features of Taijiquan. I will give them some introduction merely from my own personal understanding.

1. Body relaxed and mind calm, breathing natural
When doing Taijiquan. one should remain erect and comfortable, relaxed, calm and natural. The thoughts should be concentrated and calm, consciously guiding the movements, so as to reflect the requirements spoken of in the ancient boxing manuals for "first in the mind, then in the body," "use the mind to move the qi, use the qi to move the body," and "the will and the qi are the monarch, commanding the bones and flesh which are the subject." The breathing should be deep and regular, natural and smooth, and as far as possible in time with the movements and the exertion of force. One should not tense up or hold one's breath, or use strength awkwardly. Remember the principle 'the qi is not harmful when the spine is straight.'

2. Curved movements, clear distinction between 'hollow' and 'solid'
Every part of Taijiquan involves changes between the 'hollow' and the 'solid' which are expressed in various ways" as attacking and defensive hand movements, advancing and retreating steps. turns of the body, firmness or suppleness in the exertion of force. rise and fall of the thoughts and the rhythm of movement and so on. During the Qianlong period (1736-1795) of the Qing dynasty, the famous Taijiquan master Wang Zongyue expressed the changes between 'hollow' and 'solid' in boxing in terms of Taiji Yin and Yang, stressing the point that every movement and form in Taijiquan is inseparable from Yin and Yang. which is why it is also said that in Taijiqua,. "only when Yin and Yang are in balance will the use of strength be understood." Taijiquan movements should follow a curving path, to favour the exchange between 'hollow' and 'solid,' and should on no account go straight back and forth, stiff and unflowing, or use force in a mechanical way.

3. Coordination of upper and lower limbs and body, movements full, vital and complete
Taijiquan movements should be initiated in the legs, controlled mainly from the waist and express their form in the hands and fingers with all parts of the body in step, forming a balanced whole. It is the actions of the waist and legs in particular which combine to form the basis of Taijiquan movements. The upper and lower limbs and body must not get out of step, or the effect will be like floating weeds in water, drifting back and forth, without roots.

4. Even and continuous, connected and gently flowing
Taijiquan requires that one 'use one's strength like pulling silk from a cocoon,' and that 'forms change but the strength is continuous.' There should be a continuous flow from one movement into the next, with no sudden starts and stops or breaks and disruptions.

5. Light and agile but steady, exerting the right amount of force
Taijiquan requires one to 'store up strength like stretching a bow, exert force like loosing an arrow,' and that 'inside the mind is resolute, but outwardly one appears calm and at ease.' Movements should be as light and nimble as a cat's, but light without being unstable; they should also be as firm as iron, but firm without being stiff. To be able to apply this kind of unique skill demonstrates superb mastery. It has been described as the art of 'meeting strength in softness,' or 'like iron wrapped in cotton wool,' and even in those movements which involve a clear exertion of force, there should be softness in strength, with plenty of suppleness.

The five points gone into above express Taijiquan's common characteristics and embody its individual style. The competition rules for this display and exchange meeting incorporate relaxation, stability, roundness, use of force, expression and evenness as six criteria for awarding points and these are nothing other than the concrete expression of the essential features mentioned above.

These main points should find expression in all aspects of Taijiquan: in the posture. movement, use of strength, the mind and breath timing. One should aim to 'pay attention to both inside and outside' and 'prepare both form and spirit.' In Taijiquan the form, the strength and the will are a unified whole, in which 'the mind is the commander, the body the swift servant.' It is said in Taijiquan theory that 'if the mind can be kept alert, one will not develop the fault of slow and heavy movements; this is what is called the 'suspended head'.'

This means an erect head and neck, rounded and vital use of force, and a lively and spirited manner, all combined into one, with mind and body in unison. Or, as the boxing books put it: ‘seemingly relaxed but not relaxing, about to stretch but not yet stretching, the strength changing but the will constant.’ This too gives profound expression to the intimate relationship between the action of the will and the way in which the strength is used.

These are all truths which we should constantly and earnestly study and seek to understand through practical application.”