China Arts Association

This article discusses the issue of the height of the body during the practice of Tai Ji, and why maintaining a constant height throughout is important.

Zhang style Tai Ji fuses techniques of attack with physical training and artistic expression to create a unique style of Tai Ji. Techniques of attack and defense are numerous and adhere to the principle of flowing motion with flexible change and adaptation. The techniques of Zhang style Tai Ji use intention to transport qi, and qi to transport power, uniting external and external as one unit. Therefore, practice of Zhang style Tai Ji requires that the mind of the practitioner is like a white cloud, calm and confident, unaware of the self and surroundings. To achieve this, the movements should be soft like a flying dragon, opening and closing, hard like metal, dodging and jumping, fast like lightning, and slow as if taking a casual stroll, while the overall sentiment of the practitioner is aesthetic and full of expression. To attain this level of performance it is necessary to grasp the control of the changes of height of the central weight so it becomes the main axle for movements.

Zhang style Tai Ji has a very strong combative sense with single and linked movements forming its structure. The position of movements should be such that it is possible to advance and retreat, and dodge left and right with ease. At the same time, each movement is designed in order to be applicable in the eight different directions of Tai Ji (like on a compass). Each movement, be it attack or defense, can be made in any direction, so even though you may be facing forwards in the form, it does not mean that you are unable to attack behind you (see Figs.) This requires that the legs should be slightly bent, so they are able to change quickly. Therefore, throughout the form the height of the body should remain the same, with the legs being consistently bent. The only time this rule does not apply is when the body is making movements that require a dramatic change in the position of the body, for example when executing a crouching step passing hand movement (Fig.?), or jumping kicks (Fig. ?) etc.

Zhang style Tai Ji movements are flowing and not forced. The space between the movements is soft and movements change from one to the next naturally. Movements have to be made with the central weight of the body changed easily and not abruptly. An example of this can be seen in the single whip movement in Zhang style Tai Ji 1 (see Fig.?) If the knees are not bent, qi will be dispersed upwards, and movements will be hard and lacking flexible change. Zhang Style Tai Ji is a form of internal kung fu so movements are accompanied by breathing, with internal qi as the “leader” and internal and external united. Internal qi is used to control the external shape of the movement. External shape is used to help you control the internal qi. External and internal work together with coordinated action. They can not be separated, otherwise movement will only be external.

China Wushu theory states that the bottom half of the body (“xia pan”) should be stable and rooted to the ground. Therefore, if you practice for a length of time with your legs slightly bent and your movements made consistently at the same height, you “xia pan” will become more and more stable, linked to the ground as if rooted into it. The power of legs is then increased and the effect of your practice then more obvious. The top of the body is empty and bottom is firm and stable so the body can move with fluid motion while rooted to the ground, like a tree blowing in the wind.

Because every individual is different, their body height during practice will be different. However, whatever the choice of height, it is important to ensure that the same height is maintained and the body is not rising and sinking too much during movement. But as with every other aspect of Zhang style Tai Ji techniques, remember to remain flexible and not stuck in one mindset.