13 Taijiquan Energies
These are the four primary energies of taijiquan.
|
Initial Movement |
Response |
||
|
English Translation |
Tai Chi Energy |
Tai Chi Energy |
English Translation |
|
Upward, Expansive Energy |
Peng |
Lu |
Roll Back Energy |
|
Roll Back Energy |
Lu |
Ji |
Straight Ahead Energy, “Press” |
|
Straight Ahead Energy, “Press” |
Ji |
An |
Downward Energy |
|
Downward Energy |
An |
Peng |
Upward, Expansive Energy |
Poem to help remember these movements and responses:
Peng advances, Lu follows
Lu advances, Ji follows
Ji advances, An follows
An advances, Peng follows.
These are the nine secondary energies and each is comprised of two or more of the four primary energies of Peng, Lu, Ji and An.
|
Tai Chi Energy |
Meaning |
|
Kao |
Strike or push with Back, Shoulder, Buttocks |
|
Tsou |
Strike or Lead with Elbow |
|
Tieh |
Split Energy, Moving in two different directions at once |
|
Cai |
Hard Pull Down |
|
Stepping Forward |
Moving forward |
|
Stepping Back |
Moving backward |
|
Look Left |
Turning inward |
|
Face Right |
Turning outward |
|
Central Equilibrium |
Balance |