Tai Chi Blog - by Master PaulTai Chi Chuan blog --- I creat the blog for recording and sharing my experience of Tai Chi practice. Also I am exercising Chinese Buddha Qigong (Chi Kung) and will share it with you.48 Form Tai Chi - Starting Form- September 28, 2005 (l) Stand erect with feet together, head and neck upright, and chin drawn slightly inward. Relax the chest and abdomen, shoulders and arms down loosely, and hands touching the outer sides of the thighs. Concentrate your mind, look straight ahead and breathe naturally. (Fig. l) (2) Move the left foot gently half a step to the ...http://www.taichiblog.com/2005/09/28/starting-form48-form-tai-chi/ 48 Form Tai Chi - Illustrated Exercises- September 28, 2005 l. In order to clearly describe the exercises, both illustrations and words are used to explain the movements. When doing the exercises, do your best to make the exercises continuous and well connected. 2. In the written description, except for some special remarks, the movement of all parts of the body should be coordinated at the ...http://www.taichiblog.com/2005/09/28/illustrated-exercises48-form-tai-chi/ 48 Form Tai Chi - Steps for Practice - third stage (iv)- September 28, 2005 (IV) Breathing naturally to coordinate the exercises Breathing should be deep, long, smooth, and natural in Tai Chi Chuan. Beginners should start with natural breathing. After developing some skills, you can consciously guide the breathing on the basis Of your own experience and needs to better suit the requirement of the force application and the exercises. ...http://www.taichiblog.com/2005/09/28/48-form-tai-chi-steps-for-practice-third-stage-iv/ 48 Form Tai Chi - Steps for Practice - third stage (iii)- September 28, 2005 (III) Concentration and use of the mind to guide the movement. Tai Chi Chuan calls for the concentration of the mind from beginning to end. After you are skilled in doing the exercises your attention should become focused on the application of force. For example, when you do the stroking exercise, you must have the consciousness ...http://www.taichiblog.com/2005/09/28/48-form-tai-chi-steps-for-practice-third-stage-iii/ 48 Form Tai Chi - Steps for Practice - third stage (ii)- September 28, 2005 (II) Continuous movements and integral force. Apart from the combination of softness and hardness, Tai Chi Chuan calls for the uninterrupted application of even and integral force. Interrupted application of force means interruption, discontinuity, pause, and sudden change in the application of force. To ensure the continuous flow of force it is necessary to grasp ...http://www.taichiblog.com/2005/09/28/48-form-tai-chi-steps-for-practice-third-stage-ii/ 48 Form Tai Chi - Steps for Practice - third stage (i)- September 28, 2005 The third stage is known by some as the stage for "training the mind, energy and power. In this stage, attention should be given to the following points: (I) Make a clear distinction between emptiness and solidness, and combine softness with hardness. In Kung Fu exercises the contradictory changes are often called the changes between the ...http://www.taichiblog.com/2005/09/28/48-form-tai-chi-steps-for-practice-third-stage-i/ 48 Form Tai Chi - Steps for Practice - second stage (iii)- September 28, 2005 (III) Circularity: Movements of Tai Chi Chuan are formed by various arts and curves. Once this rule is grasped, you can consciously avoid straight-line movements, dead turns, and right angles, and make your movements circular. The waist is pivotal for generating the movement of the limbs. Only when the waist is used as the pivot, ...http://www.taichiblog.com/2005/09/28/48-form-tai-chi-steps-for-practice-second-stage-iii/ 48 Form Tai Chi - Steps for Practice - second stage (ii)- September 28, 2005 (II) Coordination: Tai Chi Chuan is an exercise for the whole human body. It calls for the movement of all parts at the same time, and good coordination among them. In executing the "cloud hand," for example, when the waist is turned, it drives the arms out to draw circles in the air with the ...http://www.taichiblog.com/2005/09/28/48-form-tai-chi-steps-for-practice-second-stage-ii/ 48 Form Tai Chi - Steps for Practice - second stage (i)- September 28, 2005 In the second stage, a firm grasp of the rules of Tai Chi Chuan movements should be stressed. In order to demonstrate the characteristics of Tai Chi Chuan, we must focus on the following Points: (I) Continuity: After a certain foundation has been laid for the positions and movements, the next step is to make the ...http://www.taichiblog.com/2005/09/28/48-form-tai-chi-steps-for-practice-second-stage-i/ 48 Form Tai Chi - Steps for Practice - first stage (iv)- September 28, 2005 (IV) Lightness and softness: In order to acquire lightness, slowness, softness and gentleness required by Tai Chi Chuan movements, beginners should do the exercises slowly and softly, and apply the force lightly and evenly. Generally speaking, slow movements and light force at the beginning help make correct movements at the right pace and avoid incorrect ...http://www.taichiblog.com/2005/09/28/48-form-tai-chi-steps-for-practice-first-stage-iv/ |