Taiji Quan
Taiji Quan is a type of Chinese Internal Martial Art. The Internal Martial Arts demonstrate movement principles based on Yijing (I-Ching) thought, such as Qi theory, meridians (as in Eastern medicine,) and concepts like three joints, four treetops, six harmonies, etc.? The use of Yijing terms for combative laws, such as Taiji, Yin/Yang, Five Elements, Bagua, etc. is a special feature of these arts.

Taiji Quan began in the Chen family village of Henan, China. The style’s genealogy then spread, starting with Yang style, and separating into many different lines, including Wu style, Sun style, Hao style, etc., with each line possessing different forms and formalities.

Taiji Quan is a Chinese martial art with practitioners in all corners of the world; as a flexible movement system, it has a popular health-cultivation side.? Taiji Quan is loved by people regardless of age or sex, and also attracts many adherents from other styles of martial arts.? As such, it is quite flexible, adaptable, and full of possibility.?

The worldwide presence of Taiji Quan is laudable, but when it comes to combative capability, it is regrettable that for the most part, the style cannot be used for martial arts.? In fighting tournaments, competitions, etc., there is no record of a Taiji Quan practitioner being victorious in over one hundred years.? It is an officially recognized fact in the martial arts world that Taiji Quan cannot be used.

However, the inability to apply training in combat is not restricted to Taiji Quan. It is common knowledge that many martial arts and Budo, despite years of training, cannot use their form.? In Budo for example, the use of “one-two punch” and combination techniques involving punching and kicking are the only methods in use.? Study is required to find a solution to this situation.

In order for an art to continue, it must be spread to the public, in a form that is digestible to the amateur practitioner. This level is the level of “form recognition,” the shell which is recognizable to the masses.? If a martial art stops at this level, then of course it will be “unusable.”

Recognition of Current Circumstances: Now, there are very few people who practice Taiji Quan as a martial art. Most people practice Traditional Taiji Quan with the purpose of continuing the form (succession,) Health Taiji Quan for exercise and health maintenance, or Qi Taiji Quan, wishing to acquire “qi.” ?

Tradition vs. Martial Arts: Tradition is concerned with formal succession, while Martial Arts are concerned with evolution, through comparison and selection. From Form to Essence, from Tradition to Evolution: This is Essence of Evolution.

Taiji Quan is a martial art.
It would be absurd to go to a Chinese restaurant to order a hamburger, or declare the savory taste of pizza at a sushi restaurant. If one desires health, one should practice health-maintenance activities.? If one desires Qi, one should learn Qi Gong.

There are many genealogies of Taiji Quan, each having its form and training system. Because all genealogies of the art are still Taiji Quan, they are a part of the art, and therefore must exhibit certain foundational principles. The Essence of Taiji Quan generalizes technique and form, and is the most basic aspect of a martial art required to exceed the framework of genealogy and style. Form is but the entrance of Taiji Quan, and therefore the elucidation of principle is the subject of study.

EOE Fluid Body Taiji Quan
Fluid Body: Signifying fluid exercise
“太” - Tai: the Sun, or a very large thing.? Tai represents diffusion/expansion, the idea of becoming large.
“極” - Ji: the “limit” or “extreme” point, the last place.? Ji represents the convergence/contraction which occurs once an extreme point of diffusion/expansion is reached.
太極 ? Taiji: the coherence and consistent deployment of spreading & focusing, deduction & induction.
“拳” - Quan: literally, “fist.”? There is shape understanding, which ends interpretation at the level of a literal fist; depth understanding of fist is recognition of the “fist formation movement,” and its possibilities of application.

Fluid Body Taiji Quan is a flexible and evolving martial art system based on Fluid Body Exercise.

EOE of Taiji Quan
(1) Essence of Taiji Quan: Taiji Quan is not slow. If speed is distance over time, then the length of the distance and the size of movement are essential points. Speed has the evolutionary steps of constant speed, addition speed, and changing speed. The pursuit of speed is different from control of speed.
Taiji Quan is not soft, it is wave motion. There are certain martial art styles that use the term, ju (柔), or soft, as a term of comparison with hard, such as Ju-do, Ju-jutsu, and Go-ju Ryu Karate, etc. To refer to Taiji Quan as soft is shape understanding, based on appearance. The movement principle of softness is Wave Mechanics, which consists of traverse and longitudinal waves. From wave mechanics arises spiral movement and fluid dynamics.

(2) EOE of Taiji Opening: Regardless of genealogy, all forms of Taiji Quan begin with the Taiji Opening, which is a foundational element connecting all styles. A degree of research into the Taiji Opening provides a vivid illustration of Taiji Quan.

Basis of Taiji Opening: (1) 14 Static Balance Posture ??　(2) Dynamics of 8 Movements? (3) Physical Basis
Design of Taiji Opening: (1) 14 Static and Moving 　　(2) Deployment of 8 Movements? (3) Martial Application
Long Distance and Small Posture: (1) Long Distance is the Front 　(2) The Conditions of Point Attacking Method 　(3) Speed vs. Density
Middle Distance and Middle Posture: (1) Middle Distance is the Side. 　(2) The Conditions of Line Attacking Method. 　(3) Power vs. Angle
Short Distance and Large Posture: (1) Short Distance is the Back 　(2) The Conditions of Envelopment Method 　(3) Centripetal vs. Centrifugal?????????

Refer to Essence of Taiji Quan (Taiji Opening)

(3) EOE of Taiji Push Hands: Push Hands is one pair-training method of Taiji Quan. This method has spread to every corner of the earth, as a component of the art. Many martial arts contain pair-training methods, which take place once the hands have touched; Xing Yi Quan and Yi Quan have Free Hands, in Ba Gua Zhang has Coiling Hands, Southern Shaolin Quan has Bridge Hands, Northern Shaolin Quan has Connect Hands, Wing Chun kung fu has Sticky Hands, Praying Mantis kung fu has Hooking Hands,and Goju Ryu Karate has Hanging Hands.? Such pair-training methods are also found in throwing/joint-locking arts such as Sumo, Aikido, Judo, Shuai Jiao, Wrestling, Sambo, Jujutsu, as well as martial arts styles such as Jeet Kune Do, Krav Maga, Silat, etc.

Every style of martial arts has its form and its technique. In order to apply this form and technique, pair-training practice is necessary. As discussed, many schools/styles possess such pair-training methods. However, EOE desires to find a universal and physics-based name for these methods, which exceeds school and style.

The EOE name for pair-training methods that take place after the hands have touched is: “Crossed Method of Connection.” EOE proposes a practice of consistent method， which links middle-distance “Crossing Method of Contact” with long-distance “Point/Line Method of Speed & Power.”

Taiji Push Hands contains Single Push Hands, which is the crossing of one hand, and Double Push Hands, where both hands cross. Although the Taiji Quan classical text describes Double Push Hands as consisting of the Four Methods - expansion, pulling, pressing, pushing ? there is no text that indicates the focus of Single Push Hands. One idea is that this gap of information is intentional, to encourage students to research and investigate for themselves.

The original purpose of studying is research, not blind obedience to doctrine. However, if one observes the actual condition of contemporary Taiji Push Hands, it is apparent that the Four Methods of Double Push Hands have become a “type,” and the practice of Double Push Hands consists mainly of form repetition.

Because of its inclusion in the classical texts, Double Push Hands is subject to becoming doctrine. However, because there is no “conditioning” available for Single Push Hands, it is open for research and interpretation by the student.? Imitation of form ends with shape recognition; research of essence brings about depth recognition.

EOE of Single Push Hands: The first step is to clarify the position of Push Hands within the art of Taiji Quan. The Four Methods of Double Push Hands (expansion, pulling, pressing, pushing) originate in the Taiji 13 Postures, which are the foundation of the art. Through research of the 13 postures, we may elucidate the focus of Single Push Hands.

The Taiji 13 Postures consist of: the Eight Methods (expansion, pulling, pressing, pushing, picking, tearing, elbow, and leaning) and the Five Elements (center, front, back, left, right.) Through the process of elimination, we may first remove expansion, pulling, pressing, and pushing, as they have been established as the components of Double Push Hands. Picking is an action of gathering, tearing concerns the action of tearing-apart, elbow concerns the function of that body part, and leaning concerns the shoulder and chest. Because none of these four apply in the structure nor the operation of Single Push Hands, we may conclude that the key to Single Push Hands is the Five Elements.

The Five Elements are movement directions, necessary for motion and change of technique. This is true regardless of school/style, as it is a basic principle of technical application and tactical conversion. EOE submits that Single Push Hands is based on Five Elements, and advocates the practice of Taiji Push Hands in accordance with the principle of a martial art.

(Refer to Question of Single Push Hands ? Five Element Single Push Hands)
(4) EOE of Taiji 13 Postures: The Taiji 13 Postures are made up of the Eight Methods, which are the basic methods of Taiji Quan, and the Five Elements, which are fundamental principles for deployment of technique and tactics.

Any style or school of martial arts contains its basic methods, fundamentals of training which form the base of the art. These are the common techniques and forms which are studied first. The degree of recognition of basic methods and the steps of training determine the direction of a martial art.

In martial arts, the tendency of training in basic methods is to stop at the level of repetition in practice. Presently, Taiji Quan, in all genealogies, entails only repeated practice of “form.” There are few instances in which the basic Eight Methods are also trained. If a martial art is not equipped with Single Training Methods, (for self-training) and Pair-Training Methods (for practice with self and other), then the combative aspect of the art cannot be realized.

Single Training Method is different from repetition in practice. Single Training Method consists of practicing a single type of motion, through various methods. It is a system of practice in which originality and use of devices elucidates the physical basis of motion.

Pair Training Method is not the collusion of technique; it is simulation.

There are basic principles which make a martial art a martial art. This includes defensive capability: (1) do not be hit, (2) do not be thrown, and (3) do not be controlled. There is also the objective recognition of striking methods, (punching, kicking, etc.) throwing methods, and joint locking methods. Therefore, simulation of defense methods, striking methods, and throwing/joint-locking methods is indispensable to the Pair Training Method. The combative-consciousness of Pair Training Method combined with realistic practice enables the acquisition of martial ability in the art of Taiji Quan.

Taiji Quan strategy is a consistent training system based on technical application and tactical deployment, utilizing each of the Eight Methods. The system contains Single Training Methods, (self) , Pair Training Methods, (self & other) and Physical Power-Testing Methods.

A Taijiquan strategy is the consistent training system based on technical application and tactical deployment. It is each of that, i.e., [expansion, pull, press, push, pick, tear, elbow, and and leaning].??? It is practice of "self-Single training method" in method, "oneself-and-others pair training method", and "physical testing power method."

Single Training Method of Technical Form: (1) Small Posture (2) Middle Posture (3) Large Posture.

Pair Training Method of a Tactical System: (1) Defense Method (2) Striking Method (3) Throwing/Joint Lock Method

Physical Proof ? Power Testing Method: (1) Sending Energy Method (2) Strike Training Method (3) Physics Method

Without making a strike, defense against a strike cannot be performed.
Without striking or throwing, there arises a fantasy of pushing and sending people flying.

Although Double Push Hands and Single Push Hands have connect/crossed Pair Training Methods consisting of the Four Methods (expansion, pulling, pressing, pushing) and the Five Elements, respectively, the remaining Four Methods of the Taiji 13 Postures ? picking, tearing, elbow, and leaning ? are not clear.

EOE advocates physical proof of Five Element Single Push Hands, the practice of throwing & joint locking in Double Push Hands, and Pair Training Methods of picking, tearing, elbow, and leaning, based on connect/crossed method, shown below.

EOE of Taiji 13 Postures
　5 Elements - center, front, back, left, right.……Single Push Hands
　4 Sides - expansion, pull, press, push.…………… Double Push Hands
　4 Corners - pick.………..…………………………………Centripetal Spiral Method
　　　　　　　　　tear.………….……….………………………Centrifugal Spiral Method
　　　　　　　　　elbow.……….…………….…………………Fold Elbow Method - Support Elbow Method
　　　　　　　　　leaning.…….…….…………………………Tackle Method - Shuttle Method

(5) EOE Fluid Body Taiji Quan:
Design for Fluid Body Taiji Quan: Enlightenment of Mind & Body Consciousness. The principle of technical change. (Essence of Change)
Process to Fluid Movement:? Direct Exercise Method??? Wave Motion Exercise Method?? Fluid Body Exercise Method
Step of Fluid Body Taiji Quan: Direction Taiji Quan.? ?Dynamics Taiji Quan.? ?Fluid Body Taiji Quan.

Taiji Opening 　　　　　　

内 眺望凝視・前後法
観 揺擺波動・左右法
法 虚頂提胯・上下法

Gaze wide and far, focus in and back Front & Back Method
Swing & vibration of wave motion Right & Left Method
Push-up head, lift crotch Up & Down Method
　　　　　Internal observation method

　三節相対・重心法

Relativity of three joints Center Balance Method

　左右擺動・波動法

Left-right swaying movement Wave Motion Method

　沈肩畳腰・相対法

Sink shoulders, Fold waist Relativity Method

　三点提懸・捜骨法

Lift and suspend three-points Search Bone Method

　起落昇降・跪掘法

Rise and fall, Up and down Kneel-Dig Method

　三節波動・流体法

Three section wave motion? Fluid Body Method

　沈身跪掘・伸縮法

Sink body, kneel-dig Expansion & Contraction Method

2､攬雀尾式

Grasp the Sparrow’s Tail

膨 張展流動・遊身式

Fluid Extending/opening Freely Roaming Body Expansion

　 膨張収縮・揉球式

Expansion - Contraction? Embrace Ball Posture

　 肩胯相対・側身式

Relativity of shoulder & crotch Side Body Posture

　 総体移動・膨張式

Whole Body transfer Expansion Posture

膨 開胸揉腹・抱球式

Open chest, rub belly Hold Ball Posture Expansion

　前後旋転・肩靠式

Forward-backward revolving body? Shoulder Lean

　転身架欄・膨抱式

Turn body, support obstruct Expansion Hold Posture

虜 束身伸展・採虜式

Bind body, stretch open, up & out Grab and Roll Back Roll back

擠 廻転交叉・擠撞式

Turn around, cross/ intersect Press-Collide Posture Press

按 迂回包抄・浸按式

Detour and surround? Infiltrating Push Posture Push

裂 循環帯墜・裂搗式

Wave and rip/drop/tear down Rending Ripping Down Rend

肘 扣身挨靠・腰肘式

Close body and hook, leaning in Waist Elbow Elbow

撞 廻繞開合・梭撞式

Encircle turning, opening-closing Shuttle Collide. Collide

3､十字双鞭

Crossing Double Whips

　∞臂張展・十字式

∞ Cross arm, open expand Crossing Posture

　幌身流体・擠撞式

Wave body, fluid body Press Collide Posture

4､提手上式

Lift-Up Hand Posture

　肩胯一線・劈斬式

Shoulder & crotch on one line Splitting Chop Posture

　横推直撞・交叉式

Brush knee, rub elbow Relative Crossing Posture

　手足相応・抜刀式

Harmony of hands & feet Draw Sword Posture

　鼓歩昇降・提手式

Drum Step, rising & falling Lift Hand Posture

5､左右展翅

Left-Right Spreading Wings

　旋転廻繞・片旋式

Whirl body turning detour One Side Whirl Posture

　左右圏纏・展撞式

Left right encircle winding Opening-Expand Collide Posture

　前後纏腰・擺尾式

Forward backward, winding around waist Swing Tail Posture

6､白鶴亮翅

White Crane Spreads Wings

　∞身圏展・托架式

∞ Body encircle/expand Lift Hold Posture

7､拂膝三式

Embrace Knee Three Postures

　廻降横截・廻転式

Around, fall, side, intercept Turn Around Posture

　上下起落・払膝式

Up down rising falling Embrace Knee Posture

　前後伸縮・拉推式

Forward backward extending closing Pull Push Posture

　立体転換・払撞式

Three-dimensional shape conversion Embrace Collide Posture

8､手揮琵琶

Hands Strum the Guitar

　昇降螺旋・琵琶式

Rising falling spiral Balloon-quitter posture

9､搬攬捶式

Remove Obstruction Fist-Punch Posture

　穿梭螺旋・掖攬式

Piercing shuttle spiral Roll Up Rend Posture

　求心螺旋・搬拿式

Centripetal spiral? Remove Obstruction Posture

10､如封似閉

Sealing/Closing Up

　十字循環・封閉式

Cross circulation Seal-Close Posture

11､肘底看捶

Watch the Punch (fist) Under the Elbow

　相対平衡・走転式

Relative balance Walk Turn Posture

　抛送虜帯・肘捶式

Hurl, send, roll back, carry Elbow Punch Posture

12､倒捲肱式

Fall Back, Curl Elbow Posture

　前後推浪・伸縮式

Forward backward push/shove wave Extending & Contracting

　上下掛盤・昇降式

Up/down hang/suspend cross-leg Rising Falling Posture

　左右梭幌・開合式

Left right shuttle shake Opening Closing Posture

13､烏龍纏腰

Black Dragon Coils Around Waist

　転身圏捲・纏腰式

Turn body encircle curl Coil Around Waist Posture

　旋身束体・螺旋式

Whirl body, bind body Spiral Posture

14､海底針式

Needle at the Bottom of the Sea Posture

　沈畳圧按・躬伏式

Sink, fold, press, push down Bend Down Posture

15､閃通臂式

Dodge Through Arms Posture

　托提架展・穿閃式

Tuck, lift, support, expand Pierce Dodge Posture

16､搬攬掌式

Remove Obstruction Palm Posture

　螺旋相乗・穿鑽式

Spiral multiplication Shuttle Drilling Posture

17､転身掩肘

Turn Body, Cover Elbow

　翻身送捶・掩肘式

Overturn body, send fist Cover Elbow Posture

18､三段螺旋

Three Phase Spiral

　束身探体・叉畳式

Bind body, search body Cross Pile Posture

19､雲手三式

Three Posture Cloud Hands

　遊身廻繞・雲採手

Roam body, turning detour Cloud-Gather Hands

　接後迎前・雲畳手

Receive backward, invite forward Cloud-Pile Hands Posture

　右劈左按・雲披手

Right split, left push Cloud-Unroll Hands Posture

20､三節単鞭

Three Joints Single Whip

　開合托架・鞭按式

Open close, tuck Whip Push Posture

21､高探馬式

Stand High to Search the House

　展身束体・探馬式

Expand body, bind body Search House Posture

22､連環三腿

Linking Three Legs

　開合起落・分腿式

Open and close, rise and fall Dividing Leg Posture

　揺身幌体・擺腿式

Shake body, wave body Sway Leg Posture

　縮身崩弾・抖腿式

Contraction body, elastic bounce Shiver Leg Posture

23､拂膝栽捶

Embrace Knee, Planting Punch

　三節相対・擦払式

Three joints Relativity Brush-Embrace Posture

　開展合墜・栽捶式

Open expand, close drop Plant Punch Posture

24､推輾双脚

Push-Overturn Double Kick

　抖搓翻身・転身式

Jerk, rub, overturn body Turn Body Posture

　浪身撲蓋・截腿式

Wave body, cover, combine Sever Leg Posture

　横腰輪臂・撩腿式

Side waist, wheel arm? Scoop Leg Posture

25､左右伏虎

Left-Right Hiding Tiger

　勾掛挿腿・絞身式

Hook hand, back-cross leg Squeeze Body Posture

　縮身探体・伏虎式

Contract body, search body Hiding Tiger Posture

　合托仰展・点腿式

Combined hold, look up, expand Point Leg

　勾掛伏虎・掛盤式

Hook hand, hiding tiger Hang Cross-Leg Posture

26､蓋馬捶式

Cover Horse Punch Posture

　側身横歩・蓋捶式

Side body, side step Cover Punch Posture

　繞歩廻歩・横掃式

Detour step, encircle step Horizontal Sweep Posture

　並歩撩掌・叉撃式

Arrange step, scooping palm Crossing Strike Posture

　擺歩抽肘・蓋捶式

Sway step, draw elbow Cover Punch Posture

27､双峰貫耳

Twin Peaks Pass

　夾腿換歩・双鑽式

Squeeze leg, change step Twin Drilling Posture

　坐腿圏叉・双捲式

Sitting leg, circle cross Twin Winding Posture

　沈身刮腿・双貫式

Sink body, scooping leg Twin Peaks Pass Posture

28､斜靠手式

Diagonal Leaning Hands Posture

　張展提托・斜靠式

Open, expand, bind, lift Diagonal Leaning Posture

29､野馬分鬣

Parting the Wild Horse’s Mane

　横掃斜挿・分草式

Horizontal sweep, diagonal insert Divide Grass Posture

　旋繞托揉・膨抱式

Whirl detour, knead embrace Expand Hold Posture

　縦形螺旋・斜飛式

Lengthwise spiral Slant Fly Posture

30､玉女穿梭

Jade Lady Threads Shuttles

　昇降螺旋・連環式

Rise & fall spiral Linking Posture

　搬帯仆別・穿撞式

Remove, haul, lie down, sweep Sewing Collide Posture

　平衡滑行・反劈式

Slide balance Inverse Spitting Posture

　双環交錯・架欄式

Twin link intersect Prop Intercept Posture

　帯背仆別・穿翻式

Haul, carry, lie down, sweep Sewing Overturn Posture

31､単鞭下式

Single Whip Down Posture

　勾纏幌身・仆伏式

Hook, coil, wave body Prostrate Hide Posture

32､金鶏独立

Golden Rooster Stands on One Leg

　伸縮昇降・独立式

Expand & contract, rise & fall Stand on One Leg Posture

　提膝劃腿・挑撞式

Lift knee, rowing leg Scoop Collide Posture

33､廻鷹入海

Encircling Eagle Enters Ocean

　廻旋夾束・直横式

Encircle, spin, nip, squeeze? Straight-Side Posture

34､三掩肘式

Three-Cover Elbow Posture

　幌身螺旋・迎面肘

Wave body spiral Greet Face Elbow Posture

　抽肘背旋・反背肘

Draw elbow, back spin Reverse Back Elbow Posture

　横掃削斬・頂心肘

Horizontal sweep, pare cut Prop Up Heart Elbow

35､転身擺蓮

Turning body sweeping lotus

　転身幌体・擺蓮式

Turn body, wave body Sweeping Lotus Posture

36､弯弓射虎

Bend Bow, Shoot Tiger

　裂別虜挙・射虎式

Tear up, divide, pull, lift Shoot Tiger Posture

37､栽捶挨靠

Plant Punch Close Leaning

　踏歩栽捶・反靠式

Tread step, plant punch Reverse Leaning Posture

38､燕子抄水

Swallow Sweeps Water

　昇降螺旋・抄水式

Rise & fall spiral Sweep Water Posture

39､上歩七星

Step Out, Seven Stars

　梭鑽穿叉・七星式

Shuttle drilling, pierce crossing Seven Stars Posture

40､退歩跨虎

Retreat Step Straddle Tiger

　輪臂叉架・跨虎式

Wheel arm crossing support Straddle Tiger Posture

41､外擺裏合

Outside Sway, Inside Cross

　擺腿廻掌・圏合式

Sway leg, turning palm Encircling Combine Leg Posture

42､三盤落地 　

Three Trays Dropped to the Earth

　搗捶畳腰・三盤式

Pound punch, fold waist Three Trays Posture

43､十字手式

Cross Ward Hands Posture

　開合起落・十字式

Open & close, rise & fall Cross Ward Posture

44､太極還元 　

Taiji Return to Origin

　垂手並足・還元式

Dangle hand, arrange foot Return Origin Posture