Translated from Grand-master Zhu Tiancai’s article about How to Practice Taijiquan
As the saying goes: “Without rules, nothing can be accomplished.” Practising Taijiquan should progress from large circles to medium circles, then to small circles – advancing step by step from elementary to intermediate, then to advanced levels. The boxing treatise states: “From familiarity with forms comes gradual understanding of jin (energy); from understanding jin one reaches spiritual clarity.” Practice can be divided into three stages: Form Familiarity → Understanding Jin → Spiritual Clarity.
First Stage: Form Familiarity (著熟)
This means practicing the framework. First learn each posture of the form one by one, then repeat the practice, requiring standardized movements that are stable – primarily soft but containing hardness. When practicing each movement, be soft where appropriate and hard (referring to emitting power) when required. When practicing power emission, it should demonstrate relaxation, speed and intensity – each power-emitting movement must be based on relaxation, then quickly release the power with speed and force, as seen in Old Frame First Routine movements like “Covered Hand Punch,” “Green Dragon Emerges from Water,” “Cannon Over Head,” “Whirlwind Kick,” “Double Swing Kick,” “Double Jump Kick,” and “Heel Kicks Left and Right.” Any part of the body that emits power must demonstrate storing before releasing. Of course, beginners initially cannot relax, cannot release power – this is natural and requires persistent training to gradually eliminate the body’s inherent awkward strength before it can be appreciated.
The Chen ancestors said: “Every joint must relax, the exterior must be alert; the whole body connects through, with emptiness and sensitivity at the center.” This is the practice method of using external form to lead internal energy. Without this soft-with-hard practice, the body’s joints won’t open and internal power cannot be mobilized. In this stage, carefully study each posture, pay attention to every transition between movements. Without study you won’t understand the principles; without attention the connections won’t be genuine, transitions won’t be nimble – each movement stands alone without continuous flow from start to finish. Only after repeated refinement can hardness return to softness, softness create hardness, with hardness and softness balanced to reveal yin and yang. Success in this stage manifests as: “Pounding the Mortar (金刚捣碓) sounds like thunder; Covered Hand Punch whirls like wind; Double Jump ascends light and agile; Drop Split rises steady from the ground; Single Leg Stand plants like a nail; Flat Flight pierces through with ease.”
Second Stage: Understanding Jin (懂劲)
Jin refers to qi – one must distinguish turbid qi from clear qi. Turbid qi sinks down to Yongquan (涌泉), clear qi rises up to Baihui (百会). Using the qi from dantian, combine internal and external – use external form to lead internal qi, use internal qi to drive external form. When qi doesn’t arrive, the form remains completely still; when qi arrives, the form moves with the qi. Maintain emptiness above and solidity below, soft exterior and hard interior, continuous and connected; circular and natural. The second stage mainly practices shoulder, elbow, hip and bumping techniques. When moving, don’t hesitate or doubt – it happens naturally, with mind leading intention spontaneously. One becomes clearly aware of the applications of the thirteen key words: adhere, stick, connect, follow, wardoff, rollback, press, push, lift, flash, fold, empty, and lively. Success in this stage manifests as: “Dantian feels heavy, bladder feels hot, heels feel weighted, crown of head feels suspended, skin feels expanded, fingers feel numb.” After completing this stage, it still cannot be called success – only that form and qi have combined. Only when you can practice without your teacher and not go astray have you truly learned the essence from your teacher. Learn the rules from others but not their cleverness – cleverness comes from skill. Practice thousands of repetitions – when skill matures, cleverness emerges naturally.
Third Stage: Spiritual Clarity (神明)
This stage completely integrates hardness and softness into a seamless circle. Initial practice moves from large to medium to small circles; at success the skill penetrates to the internal organs and bones, skin and hair – the wonder lies in showing no outward form. Externally like a maiden, internally like a diamond; still as a mountain, moving like lightning. Practising the form appears soft and natural; in combat it strikes like sudden thunder. This is movement without conscious thought, inspiration without awareness – the mind comprehends and energy follows intention. This stage actually reaches the level of transformation, merging the previous two stages within. Though nothing shows externally, internally there is boundless power and unfathomable changes – unknown to others, clear only to oneself. This stage is endless – a lifetime of practice cannot exhaust its wonders. Its special
manifestations are: kidneys feel scalding hot, bladder feels burning, strength grows without limit, energy prolongs and spirit excels.
These three stages have no clear boundaries – each level of practice brings its own marvels. Layer upon layer without end. To grasp these wonders requires diligence, study, hardship, effort and perseverance. Never stop midway – quitting practice is like sailing against the current: no progress means regression, leading to lifelong regret.
Chen-style Taijiquan practice requires attention to these aspects:
- After learning the Taijiquan routines, follow traditional requirements strictly – persistent and progressive practice. Never practice intermittently.
- Combine theory with practice – scientifically analyze Taijiquan principles and your practice experience to improve quality. Never practice randomly outside Taijiquan standards.
- Practice with clear, calm mind – no selfish thoughts, completely focused and single-minded.