Major T’ai Chi Chih Principles

TCC Observations

To move the Vital Force what are some major keys? Seven S’s, three C’s, and two P’s!

Soft (effort of no effort) – don’t strain body or brain

Straight (vertical alignment) – don’t stoop or tilt

Sink (into the essence) – don’t drop too low or stay too high

Shift (yin-yang balance) – don’t move legs out too short or too long

Slow (swim through thick air) – don’t go too fast

Stillness (quietude in rest position) – don’t fidget or stir

Smile (joy thru movement) – don’t try too hard

Continuity (smoothness) – don’t bump or stop

Center (flow from the Tan T’ien) – don’t lead from the hands

Circularity (energy, wholeness, unity) – don’t circle too wide or too small

Polarity (between the hands) – don’t have hands too close or too far away

Practice (regularly) – don’t make excuses

– Michael S. Isaacs
San Francisco, CA