How do you generate internal power in taijiquan? For years I have emphasized the essential triad of: Energetic coherence. Central equilibrium. Ball-Knee-Kua   Energetic coherence brings your body-mind into a state of wholeness by marshaling the organizing power of the liquid crystal matrix, your connective tissue system. The easiest, most reliable way to do this is to point and reach with your index fingers. Central equilibrium is that sweet spot that connects you up to the Big Qi of Heaven and Earth. It is most easily found by centering your body’s mass over the balls of your feet. Instant root.… Read More

Taijiquan is an internal martial art. What that actually means can provoke some heated arguments. For my nickel, it means that most of what makes a movement or posture effective is happening on a non-physical level. It still manifests as physical, but initiates in the mind. There’s a lot more going on than we can keep track of in any moment, but we can lead the parade with our conscious attention. That’s what leads the qi, and the body follows.   This video shows the sequence I follow when doing any taiji movement. Push is one of the simplest, so it… Read More