Taiji Vertical Circle

1. Although there are hundreds of styles of boxing, in facts, they are all different ways of exercising according to a few key principles. Of the key principles, the most valuable is agility. The more agile, the boxing.

2. In the writings about Tai Chi Chuan, many authors emphasize that a boxing set must be performed from start to finish at a fixed higher or lower. Continuously performing a set at a fixed height forces the three large joints of the leg to operate in an extremely unnatural position, to the extent that it becomes impossible to develop the legs to their full potential. This kind of practice makes it easy for the leg to develop a kind of rigid strength, but it becomes impossible to develop natural elasticity. Therefore, when issuing energy, one can only push forward with the back leg. The resultant force is deliberate and unnatural, so the speed of movement will be slow and the result will seldom be satisfactory. This is the reason so many people practice so many years and are still unable to issue energy of the effect of the energy issued is poor.

3. Of those who advocate doing forms at a fixed height, most believe this is the only way to keep the center from floating up, and of sinking the chi to the tan tien, in order to stabilize the body. What must be made clear is that the chi sinking to the tan is a natural occurence, and not the result of purposely forcing the air down. In regard to stability, this must be "stability in agility". Through relaxation of the whole body, the centre will naturally sink and the whole body will be stable. This "stability in agility" is not the same as forcing the center down. If one forces the center to sink in order to be stable, then the elasticity of the legs will be lost.

4. The theory of practicing a boxing set at a fixed height, without moving higher or lower, has no basis in the boxing classics.

5. Tai Chi Chuan is circular in form. This circularity is three dimensional. Seen from any angle, the movements are curves. If a set is performed at a fixed height, without moving higher of lower, then the movements of the waist and hip will be limited to two-dimensional (flat) movement.

6. The boxing classics say "as soon as one moves, every part of the body must be light and agile." If one performs a boxing contraction of the upper and lower body, and elasticity is completely lost; then can one be light and agile? Besides this, it has been observed that performing sets at a fixed height with no variation has led to varying degrees of knee injuries. This is in opposition to the results of being naturally relaxed.

7. A boxing set should be performed with the head continuously floating up while the body continuously sinks. The first half of every posture lifts (during inhalation) while the second part sinks (during exhalation). Moreover, this sinking of the body comes about naturally due to the sinking of the chi internally. During the sinking of the chi, the opening or rounding of the "tang" (crotch area) causes the energy to sink to the soles of the feet. The soles of the feet will feel tightly compressed to the ground and the energy will be able to pass between the feet, the kung fu produced will be natural and relaxed and when issuing energy, the legs will have tremendous power, speed and the force generated will be sudden and crisp. This force will be much greater than the force generated by pushing forward with the back leg.

8. Pushing forward with the back foot produces an indirect force and is deliberate and thus unnatural. This kind of force is out of harmony with principles of nature. On the other hand, the energy obtained by sinking is a direct force, produced by elasticity and rebound power. In addition, the energy produced by sinking can be issued instantaneously with only a thought.