Spirit (神), mind (意) and vitality (气) are the core connotations and the context of reaching truth in the culture of Taoism. It is the principle of union between materialism and ideology and the truth will prevail. (事理合一、理法不二). For Taijiquan, these 3 elements of spirit; mind; and, vitality are vital for the training of inner energy (内功). To definite inner energy, we could say that it is an invisible force that conforms to the paths of natural activities of life and obeys the laws regulating natural physics. One’s inner energy is the introversive force accumulated by following these paths and laws.
Yang-style Taijiquan has large, middle and small frames. Laoliulu is the traditional middle frame of Yang-style Taijiquan, founded by the second-generation Grandmaster Yang Jianhou. There are five major Styles of Taijiquan, namely: Chen (陈); Yang (杨); Wu (吴); Sun (孙); and, Wu (武). Differences between the various styles of Taijiquan are largely in the external forms, but the inner energy of these styles are of the same roots. All these major Styles of Taijiquan Grandmasters had, during their respective era, shown invincible feats of the essence of inner energy Taijiquan. What then is inner energy? Inner energy is the training of the internal spirit; mind; and, vitality. They are formless and invisible; but, one could experience and feel the existence of inner energy through practicing. Chinese martial arts have a long history behind them. They can be broadly classified into inner energy and external energy martial arts. Inner energy martial arts practices “spirit; mind; and, vitality” (神意气) and external energy martial arts strengthens the “muscles, bones and skins” (筋骨皮). If the martial arts of Taijiquan is not built on the foundation of inner energy, it would be no different from any kind of physical exercises. There is a vast difference between physical exercise and the training of inner energy.
There was an ancient saying: “Yin and Yang is the Natural’s phenomena that governs the whole universe.” Taiji depicts Yin and Yang. Any movement of Taiji is in accordance with the principle of Yin and Yang. Once a movement, Yin and Yang is formed. Take a Taiji posture as example: hands are Yin and legs are Yang. That is to say the upper portion is emptiness (soft – Yin) and the lower portion is fullness (firm – Yang).
1. Warding off
In the “eight trigrams” is Kan ☵; direction is North. In the “five elements” it belongs to water. In acupuncture points, it corresponds to Hui Yin point (perineum). Relating to internal organs is kidney and connects with the energy channel of kidney (energy channels like irrigation canals). The explanation by internal energy training: “It is like water floating a moving boat. One needs to have a strong Qi energy in the elixir field; keep the upper posture upright. The whole body is filled with a springy force. Even a thousand pounds of force coming your way, you just load it into the boat and float it.” One should connect the perineum with the Lao Gong point (at the centre of the palm) when using ward-off energy. The whole body must be relaxed, and sink the energy to your elixir field. The ward-off energy is like the power of water.
2. Rolling back
In the” eight trigrams” is Li ☲; direction is South. In the “five elements” it belongs to fire. In acupuncture points, it corresponds to Zu Qiao point (a point between eyebrows). Relating to internal organs is heart and connects with the energy channel of heart. The explanation by internal energy training: “Induce the opponent to come forward. Be flexible and allow the force to come but not blocking or breaking it. Maintain your own balance so that you do not instead become his victim. Prolong the coming force until it ends.” One should connect the Zu Qiao point with the tip of the index finger when using the rollback energy. The whole body must be relaxed, unite the mind with physical form. The rollback energy is like the destructive power of fire.
3. Pressing
In the” eight trigrams” is Zhen ☳; direction is West. In the “five elements” it belongs to wood. In acupuncture points, it corresponds to Jia Ji point (bilateral sides of spine). Relating to internal organs is liver and connects with the energy channel of liver. The explanation by internal energy training: “There are two ways to use it. You may act directly from your own mindful intention in a single move. Or you may act indirectly, reacting to opponent’s force. In this case, it is like a ball bouncing off a wall, or like a coin tossed onto a drum that bounded back with a chiming sound.” When using Pressing energy, one should get the Jia ji acupuncture point to find the Lao gong acupuncture point on the rear hand and together join the Yong Quan point on the forward feet. The whole body is coordinated in Pressing energy.
4. Pushing
In the” eight trigrams” is Dui ☱; direction is East. In the “five elements” it belongs to metal. In acupuncture points, it corresponds to Tan Zhong (chest centre). Relating to internal organs is lungs and connects with the energy channel of lungs. The explanation by internal energy training: “It is like flowing water, within its softness lurks hardness. In torrential mode, it is unstoppable. The flow of water will follow the undulating terrain. The water is able to seep into crevices along the flow path.” When using Pushing energy, one should inch inward the Tan Zhong with thumb facing the opposite direction and then issue a triangle power.
5. Plucking
In the” eight trigrams” is Qian ☰; direction is North-West. In the “five elements” it belongs to metal. In acupuncture points, it corresponds to Xing Gong and Fei Shu. Relating to internal organs is large intestine and connects with the energy channel of large intestine. The explanation by internal energy training: “It is like the counterpoise of a steelyard scale sliding out to balance the weight. No matter how great or small the opponent’s force is, one will know it once it is balanced. With a small shifting of a mere four ounces one can balance out a thousand pounds. The theory behind this is the leverage.” One should issue power with a lightness, coordinating hips with feet, and Xing Gong with Fei Shu.
6. Rending
In the” eight trigrams” is Kun ☷; direction is South-West. In the “five elements” it belongs earth. In acupuncture points, it corresponds to Dan Tian (elixir field). Relating to internal organs is spleen, and connects with the energy channel of spleen. The explanation by internal energy training: “It rotates like a flywheel. When an object is thrown at it, the object immediately being bounced off. In rapid mode, it acts like a whirlpool. Any leaf that falls onto it is being quickly engulfed.” One should stay upright and firm when using the rending energy. Rending energy can be upward or downward, elixir field connecting with Lao Gong.
7. Elbowing
In the” eight trigrams” is Gen ☵; direction is North-East. In the “five elements” it belongs to earth. In acupuncture points, it corresponds to Jian Ji point (Shoulder Well). Relating to internal organs is stomach and connects with the energy channel of stomach. The explanation by internal energy training: “The technique contains the five elements. The Yin and Yang is revealed above and below. Emptiness and fullness is clearly distinguished. Continuous techniques are hard to block. A “blooming-flower punch” [i.e. a back fist unfurling out of a stopped elbow attack] is even more brutal [than the prevented elbow would have been]. Once the “six energies” [of structure (supporting forward and back, left and right, up and down)] are unified, one is able to apply endless techniques.” One should keep stillness when using the elbowing power, with Lao Gong connecting with Shoulder Well.
8. Bumping
In the” eight trigrams” is Xun ☴; direction is South-East. . In the “five elements” it belongs to wood. . In acupuncture points, it corresponds to Yu Zhen point (Jade Pillow). Relating to internal organs is gall bladder, and connects with the energy channel of gall bladder. The explanation by internal energy training: “The technique divides into using the shoulder or the back. The DIAGONAL FLYING POSTURE uses the shoulder, but when using your shoulder, one can also continue into using the back. If an opportunity arises, crash into the opponent as though you are collapsing onto him. Be wary in maintaining your balance, else the effort is wasted.” Issuing bumping power is like putting a bag on the back of your head. If right foot in front, use the left Jumping Round acupuncture point to find the right Shoulder Well, coordinating shoulder and waist.
Five elements: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth
Five foot work: advancing, retreating, stepping to the left, stepping to the right, and stay upright in the centre
1. Advancing
In the “five elements” it belongs to water. In acupuncture points, it corresponds to Hui Yin point (perineum). It connects with the energy channel of kidney (energy channels like irrigation canals). It’s main force is advancing, and is related to the internal skill of sticking power. One should relax the whole body inclusive of hand and arm when using this skill. The action of Raising and Lifting is called sticking. Use retreats as advances, and sticking without letting go.
2. Retreating
In the “five elements” it belongs to fire. In acupuncture points, it corresponds to Yin Tang point (Ophryon). It connects with the energy channel of heart. The main force is retreating, and is related to the internal skill of connecting energy. The technique is to link up with opponent quietly without any sign of breaking away. The action of letting go of oneself and link up with opponent is called connecting.
3. Stepping to the left
In the “five elements” it belongs to wood. In acupuncture points, it corresponds to Jian Ji point (Shoulder Well). It connects with the energy channel of liver. The main force is turning and advancing, and is related to the internal skill of adhering energy. The technique is to glue oneself with opponent. When opponent advances, one will retreat and vice versa. When the opponent floats, one will follow up. When the opponent sinks down the energy, one will loosen oneself. Even the opponent tries to disconnect or pull back, he is not able to do so because of the glue. This action of lingering is called adhering.
4. Stepping to the right
In the “five elements” it belongs to metal. In acupuncture points, it corresponds to Tan Zhong point (chest centre). It connects with the energy channel of lungs. The main force is turning and retreating, and is related to the internal skill of following energy, which means to “go along with”. The action of matching the opponent’s speed in advancing or retreating is called following energy.
5. Stay in the centre
In the “five elements” it belongs to earth. In acupuncture points, it corresponds to Dan Tian (elixir field). It connects with the energy channel of spleen. The main focus is to stay upright and firm, and is related to the energy of non breaking nor blocking. This is an internal energy that manifests into an outward appearance. It is only effective when the internal and external are coordinated. The difficulty is staying upright and firm; chest inched in; and waist relaxed. Be mindful and focus on the elixir field. This energy can have the effect of “four ounces moves a thousand pounds”.