Evolutions of the Two Poles

All Taijiquan movements are composed of multiple, ever-changing conversions of Yin and Yang (insubstantial and substantial).  Therefore the core of Taijiquan practice is the process by which the human body (and mind) deals with the conversions and the evolutions of the two complementary poles. 

So what is required to actualise Taijiquan’s Yin and Yang?

On the most simplistic level people often view the weighted side as Yang, the non-weighted side as Yin; a clenched hand is Yang and a relaxed hand is Yin; a punch or a kick are Yang manifestations etc…In fact, those views are not in line with the quan theories.  Yin- Yang actualisation should be within the operation, function and performance of Taijiquan:

It must involve all the components of the physical body - head, torso, limbs, bones, joints, tendons, ligaments, skin etc,  as well as the flexion and extension, opening and closing, folding and piling, ebbing and flowing, rising and falling controlled by the mental processes.

The Yin element is realised when all the components of the body and the mental processes, under the control of yi and the guidance of the qi, gradually eliminates tension, stiffness and clumsy strength into a light, constantly-releasing and comfortable relaxation, at the same time, within a certain degree of stability and appropriate strength. 

The Yang element is actualised when all the different parts of the body and the mental processes, under the control of the yi and the guidance of qi, fills up like the spread of water that flows naturally towards gravity; like inflating a balloon, the pressure gradually increases as it fills with air.   The substantial “Yang” required by Taijiquan is full of elastic tension, weighted and heavy, flexible and strong.

Taijiquan’s "Yin” at the same time as being light and agile, is capable of instantly converting into an immovable support strength.  In the same way, Taijiquan’s “Yang" is capable of instantly changing from weightedness to ethereal.  This is what is described in Taijiquan theory as “within Yin there is Yang; within Yang there is Yin”.  

The complementary opposites are ever-changing and converting.  Without realising looseness and weightedness, flexion and extension, opening and closing, and crucially without establishing the body’s own “tension”- peng jin - the body cannot manifest its own Yin and Yang. 

Four Phases of Acceptance

The Four Phases of Acceptance:

- Belief in the system 

- Making sense of practice

- Follow the process 

- Empirical confirmation of success

Belief

It is a multi-layered discipline that encompasses a cultural philosophy, martial arts techniques, traditional medical theories, body mechanics, aesthetic expressions...The classical theories of Taijiquan can also be adopted as a guide for conduct as it is imbued with a traditional culture that emphasises modesty and tolerance. A belief that "nothing in the world is difficult, only a willing heart is needed.”

Make sense.  Follow process.

Try to understand the classic Taiji and Quan theories, even if at first they may seem  esoteric and difficult to understand. Having accepted, know that there are rules on how to practise and follow these rules.  Going on the wrong tangent will lead further and further from success.  Only through long-term practice, practitioners will have a better understanding of the principles and practice methods.

Empirical confirmation

At a certain stage, there comes not only ideological enlightenment, but also physical  realisation.  This is when a practitioner bears visible evidence of successful practice.  For example, evidence of the health benefit of practice means a change from ill health or mediocre health to good physical health;  the success of jin management sees a transformation of the body’s strength from a rigid inflexible clumsy strength to a plaint flexible usable strength;  integrating harmony in all aspects of life,  in personal interactions as well as with nature and the environment; from quantitative change to qualitative change, the ultimate confirmation is when the multi-layered principles become an integral part of life.