Tai Chi Article

The footwork of the combined advancing and retreating is one of the main characteristics of Sun style Tai Chi Chuan. It requires the “follow up step” when advancing and the “draw in step” when retreating just like a worm wriggling and the leaf floating in the water. The routine presents the liveliness when moving, precision in its paces, suitable distance in its steps, lightness and agility in its footwork. When stepping up, move your legs steadily between the emptiness and the solidness with your weight sunk in the center under the crotch. While shifting the weight, keep the body steady without the obvious ups and downs. When the hind leg follows up onto the fore leg, the distance in between is approximately 10 cm and a springing force should also be concealed within the movement. When retreating, relax the waist, sink the crotch down and draw in your leg. The advancing and retreating should be performed like sliding on an arc in the steady and even speed.

During practice, such faults often occur: the hind leg is forced to lift up when stepping forward; when shifting the weight, there is no changes in the internal strength and the landing point is not precise; the distance between both feet is either too close or too far; you may step onto the other foot when turning foot inward and the steps may be drifted without a sunken strength.

Methods to overcome such obstacles:

First, understand the essential character of the footwork. Then, practice the advancing and retreating with the aid of the signs and marks (such as drawing lines on the ground) to limit the distance and the landing points of the steps.

The opening and closing of hands is another important characteristic in the competition routine of Sun style. When opening or closing hands, pay attention to the changes of your chest during the breath with the elbows and the shoulders sunk and prevent the elbows from lifting up or lacking of the internal force and the “Qi”.

Methods to overcome such obstacles: Properly understand the essentials of the movement by using the stimulation of the external force, such as the resistant force and the supporting force and the key points of the movement. You can hold a ruler or a stick with the same length as your face and from the opening hands stance to overcome the wrong movements of the hands.