Qi is a super important idea in Chinese culture and traditional medicine. It’s the building block of everything – solids, liquids, gases, and even things like light and magnetism. Basically, the whole universe is made up of Qi.

When it comes to Tai Chi, we’re mainly talking about your own personal Qi. It’s like having a battery pack inside you that keeps your body, mind, and spirit energized. Qi is a big deal in ancient Chinese medicine, and it’s often called “life force” or “vital energy.” Every living thing has Qi flowing through it. In traditional Chinese medicine, Qi moves through the body along pathways called jingluo (经络) or meridians, which are connected to our organs. Qi is also stored in vessels throughout the body that act like energy buffers. When Qi flows smoothly, you’re healthy and balanced. But when it gets blocked or runs low, you can end up with physical, mental, and spiritual problems.

In Tai Chi, Qi is like the energy that powers your body’s movements. It flows through your body, creating a sense of harmony and balance. The whole point of practicing Tai Chi is to get your Qi flowing freely and in sync.

The Three Treasures

In traditional Chinese medicine, there are three super important substances called The Three Treasures: Jing, Qi, and Shen.

1. Jing: Jing is the stored essence of your body, including your bones, marrow, and reproductive fluids. It’s mainly stored in your kidneys but can also be found in your bone marrow, brain, and energy meridians.
2. Qi: Qi is ruled by your lungs and comes from Clean Air Qi, Food Qi, and Ancestral Qi (also known as Kidney Yin or Jing). Your lungs also make Wei Qi, which is a special kind of defensive Qi that protects your body from outside invaders.
3. Shen: Shen is all about your spirit or consciousness, including your emotions, thoughts, and perceptions. Shen hangs out in your heart and is made up of five different Shens that live in different organs. These five Shens are linked to the five elements (water, wood, fire, earth, and metal) and have emotions that go along with each element.

The three treasures are all connected, and each one affects the others. For example, when your Jing is strong and healthy, it can help build up your Qi and Shen. When your Qi is flowing smoothly, it can nourish your Jing and support your body’s health. When your Shen is calm and peaceful, it can help balance your Qi and Jing.

In Tai Chi, working on your Qi helps bring harmony and balance to all three treasures, leading to better health and well-being.

How to Grow Your Qi with Tai Chi

There are lots of ways to work on your Qi in Tai Chi. Here are some key things to remember:

1. Relaxation: Keep it chill when you’re doing Tai Chi and Qigong movements. Your body and mind should be relaxed. Don’t use force or muscle power, as tension can block your Qi flow. Just let go of any stress.
2. Breathing exercises: Your breath is closely connected to Qi. In Tai Chi, breathe slowly, deeply, and relaxed. Focus on exhaling fully to get rid of stale air and toxins. Deep breathing helps bring more energy into your body and stimulates your internal organs.
3. Concentration: Tai Chi is like a moving meditation. Focus on your movements and how your body feels, letting distractions fade away. This helps guide Qi around your body and improves blood flow.
4. Chang Ming Taoist diet: Eat fresh, organic whole foods that are in season and packed with nutrients. This helps nourish your body and promote healthy Qi. Junk foods, processed foods, and additives can be tough on your digestive system and block Qi from flowing properly. Overeating can also cause problems, as it makes your body work harder to supply energy. So, stick to eating just what you need and don’t overdo it. Food is meant to give your body Qi, not just be a form of entertainment.
5. Massage: Anmo is a type of energy meridian massage used in health and massage classes. Your internal organs make Qi from Food Qi, Clean Air Qi, and Ancestral Qi. Massaging the energy meridians connected to your organs stimulates energy flow throughout your body. Loosening up your muscles and tendons also helps Qi and blood reach every part of your body.
6. Emotions: In Chinese medicine, emotions can cause imbalances in your organs. Bottling up emotions can lead to problems later on. Excessive emotions can also damage your organs and make your energy flow go haywire. Learning to recognize what causes emotional outbursts and practicing relaxation techniques can help improve your Qi storage.
7. Nature: For the best Qi development, do Tai Chi outside, ideally under a tree. This is where you can absorb more Li or macrocosmic energy and mix it with your personal Qi. There’s also Qi that flows through your body from external sources, like the Earth and the sky. Spending too much time indoors can block this extra energy and make you feel sick and run down more often.

Benefits of Working on Your Qi in Tai Chi

Growing your Qi in Tai Chi can do wonders for your physical, mental, and emotional health. Here are just a few examples:

1. Improved Energy: When Qi flows freely, you’ll feel more energized and less tired.
2. Reduced Stress: Tai Chi has been shown to help reduce stress and anxiety, which is great for your overall health and well-being.
3. Better Balance: Tai Chi movements are slow and careful, which can help improve your balance and lower the risk of falls, especially for older folks.
4. Stronger Immune System: Building up your Qi can boost your immune system, helping to keep you healthy and fight off illness.

In a nutshell, growing your Qi is a key part of Tai Chi practice. It can improve your physical, mental, and emotional health and plays a big role in the overall benefits of Tai Chi. By focusing on relaxation, breath control, mindfulness, and visualization during your practice, you can boost your Qi flow and enjoy all the benefits that come with it.

If you’re interested in learning more about Tai Chi and how to grow your Qi, think about joining a Tai Chi class. A skilled instructor can guide you through the movements and help you understand the role of Qi in Tai Chi. With regular practice and dedication, you can tap into the power of Qi and enjoy all the amazing benefits Tai Chi has to offer.

Sticky Hands, also known as Yīfù shǒu (依附手) is a fundamental exercise in Lee Style Tai Chi that is taught to beginners as a way to introduce them to the principles of Tai Chi and to prepare them for more advanced techniques. While some may see Sticky Hands as a simple exercise, it is actually a complex and multifaceted practice that offers a range of benefits for practitioners.

Developing sensitivity

One of the main aspects of Sticky Hands is the cultivation of sensitivity and connection with one’s partner. In the exercise, two practitioners stand facing each other and place their hands on each other’s forearms. They then begin to move their arms and bodies in unison, following each other’s movements and trying to maintain a constant connection. This requires a high level of sensitivity to the partner’s movements and intentions and helps to develop the ability to read and respond to subtle changes in body position and energy.

Cultivating Qi

Another aspect of Sticky Hands is the development of internal energy or qi. By maintaining a constant connection with their partner, practitioners learn to circulate their energy and to use it to guide and control their partner’s movements. This involves the use of spiraling movements, which help to increase the flow of energy through the body and to connect the upper and lower body.

Learning to sense timing

Sticky Hands also emphasizes the importance of timing and rhythm in Tai Chi. Practitioners must learn to move in sync with their partner, to maintain a constant flow of movement, and to execute techniques at the right moment. This requires a high level of concentration and focus, and helps to develop a sense of timing and rhythm that can be applied to other aspects of Tai Chi practice.

The psychological aspect

In addition to these physical aspects, Sticky Hands also has a number of mental and emotional benefits. The exercise requires practitioners to be present and focused, to let go of distracting thoughts and emotions, and to remain calm and centered even in the face of challenge or resistance from their partner. This level of mindfulness and emotional control can be applied to many different aspects of life, including work, relationships, and personal growth.

Overall, Sticky Hands is a foundational practice in Lee Style Tai Chi that offers a range of benefits for both beginners and more advanced practitioners. By developing sensitivity, connection, internal energy, timing, and emotional control, practitioners can gain a deeper understanding of themselves and their interactions with others, both in the context of Tai Chi and in daily life. As such, it is an essential part of a holistic Tai Chi practice that emphasizes both solo and partner work as equally important in line with the Taoist principle of yin-yang balance.

Principles of Sticky Hands

1. Yielding: The first principle of sticky hands is yielding. Yielding means allowing your partner’s energy to flow into you without resisting or pushing back. When your partner pushes, you soften your joints and move with the push, rather than against it. Yielding is like bending like a tree in the wind instead of resisting and breaking.
2. Listening: The second principle of sticky hands is listening. Listening means paying attention to your partner’s movements and responding accordingly. When your partner moves, you move with them, like a dance. Listening is like being a detective, trying to read your partner’s intentions and movements.
3. Sticking: The third principle of sticky hands is sticking. Sticking means maintaining contact with your partner and keeping your connection. When your partner moves, you follow them with your hands and body, maintaining the connection. Sticking is like two magnets, attracting and repelling each other while staying connected.
4. Neutralizing: The fourth principle of sticky hands is neutralizing. Neutralizing means redirecting your partner’s energy away from you. When your partner pushes, you redirect their energy away from you and towards the ground. Neutralizing is like using your partner’s energy against them, like a judo master.
5. Rooting: The fifth principle of sticky hands is rooting. Rooting means being grounded and stable. When you are rooted, you are like a tree with deep roots, unmovable and strong. Rooting is like being an anchor, providing stability and balance to your partner.

How Sticky Hands Can Improve Your Tai Chi Practice

Nowadays more and more teachers are only teaching the forms and they neglect partner work. This flies in the face of everything our teachers taught us. Sticky Hands is an essential part of Tai Chi practice. It can help you develop sensitivity, awareness, and adaptability. By practicing sticky hands, you can improve your Tai Chi practice in the following ways:

1. Develop Sensitivity: Sticky hands can help you develop sensitivity to your partner’s movements. By listening to your partner’s movements, you can learn to anticipate their intentions and respond accordingly. This sensitivity can be applied to your solo Tai Chi practice, helping you become more aware of your own movements and how they affect your body.
2. Improve Balance: Sticky hands can help you improve your balance by teaching you to root and maintain your stability. By staying rooted and balanced, you can avoid being pushed off balance by your partner’s movements. This balance can be applied to your solo Tai Chi practice, helping you maintain your balance and stability while performing the movements.
3. Increase Flexibility: Sticky hands can help you increase your flexibility by teaching you to yield to your partner’s movements. By softening your joints and moving with your partner, you can improve your flexibility and range of motion. This flexibility can be applied to your solo Tai Chi practice, helping you perform the movements with more fluidity and grace.
4. Reduce Stress: Sticky hands can help you reduce stress by teaching you to relax and let go of tension. By yielding to your partner’s movements and focusing on your breath, you can release tension and reduce stress. This relaxation can be applied to your solo Tai Chi practice, helping you achieve a state of calm and relaxation.
5. Enhance Martial Applications: Sticky hands is not just a partner exercise, it also has martial applications. By practicing sticky hands, you can develop skills that can be applied in self-defense situations. Sticky hands can teach you how to redirect your opponent’s energy, neutralize their attacks, and maintain your balance and stability. These skills can be applied to your solo Tai Chi practice, helping you develop a deeper understanding of the martial applications of Tai Chi.

While Tai Chi is a serious practice, it doesn’t have to be boring. In fact, Tai Chi can be quite humorous, especially when practicing sticky hands with a partner. Here are a few examples of the humor that can be found in sticky hands:

1. The Wobbly Partner: We’ve all had a partner who is less stable than a Jenga tower. When practicing sticky hands with a wobbly partner, it can be challenging to maintain your balance and stability. However, it can also be quite comical, especially when both partners are trying to regain their balance at the same time.
2. The Overly Aggressive Partner: On the other end of the spectrum, we have the overly aggressive partner who is determined to push you across the room. When practicing sticky hands with an aggressive partner, it can be tempting to resist and push back. However, this is the opposite of what sticky hands is all about. Instead, try yielding and redirecting their energy. If all else fails, a well-timed tickle attack can always diffuse the tension.
3. The Distracted Partner: We’ve all had a partner who is easily distracted. Maybe they’re checking their phone, or maybe they’re daydreaming about their lunch. When practicing sticky hands with a distracted partner, it can be challenging to maintain their focus. However, it can also be an opportunity to practice your skills of sensitivity and adaptability. Try gently redirecting their attention back to the exercise, or use their distraction as an opportunity to practice your neutralizing skills.

Neutralizing

One of the essential principles of Tai Chi is the principle of neutralizing. Neutralizing is the process of redirecting an opponent’s force in a way that avoids a direct confrontation. The principle of neutralizing is essential in Tai Chi, as it allows us to use our opponent’s energy against them, rather than using our own energy in opposition to theirs.

Neutralizing involves the use of yielding and softness, rather than force and strength. To neutralize an opponent’s force, we must first yield and blend our movements with theirs. This means that we must not try to block or resist their force, as this would be a hard style technique that is not in line with Tai Chi’s soft style.

Yielding requires us to withdraw our body and give ourselves enough working space to then start to circle their arm or hand away from us, to avoid bodily contact. This approach allows us to create a space for ourselves that gives us more time to sense our partner’s intentions and movements.

The process of yielding allows us to avoid direct confrontation with our partner’s force, which is an essential aspect of the neutralizing principle. By yielding, we can sense our partner’s movements and intentions, which allows us to move with them seamlessly.

Once we have blended our hand movements with our partner’s, we can start to redirect their force if necessary. However, this redirection should not involve any forceful or aggressive movements. Instead, we should use our partner’s movements entirely and allow them to guide us.

This approach is in line with the Taoist principle of Wuwei, which emphasizes the idea of achieving our goals without force or resistance. In Tai Chi, this means allowing our partner to lead and guide us, rather than trying to redirect their movements or force them in a particular direction.

The paradox of this approach is that by relinquishing control entirely, we take absolute control. Rather than using trickery or subtle redirection, we allow our partner’s movements to guide us, which gives us the freedom to move in any direction we desire.

To use the principle of neutralizing effectively in Tai Chi, we must develop a deep sense of sensitivity and awareness. We must be attuned to our partner’s movements and intentions, allowing us to move with them seamlessly. This requires a significant amount of practice and dedication, as well as an understanding of Tai Chi’s principles and techniques.

In conclusion, the principle of neutralizing is a vital component of Tai Chi practice. It involves the use of yielding and softness to redirect an opponent’s force in a way that avoids a direct confrontation. Neutralizing requires us to relinquish control entirely and allow our partner’s movements to guide us, in line with the Taoist principle of Wuwei. To use the principle of neutralizing effectively, we must develop a deep sense of sensitivity and awareness, allowing us to move with our partner seamlessly and take absolute control by relinquishing control entirely.

Wuwei (无为) often translated as “non-action,” is a fundamental concept in Taoist philosophy and has an important role in the practice of Tai Chi. While it may sound like doing nothing, wuwei is actually a way of acting without forcing or interfering with natural processes. In this blog post, we will explore the concept of wuwei and its significance in Tai Chi, drawing on the works of ancient Taoist philosophers such as Liezi, Zhuangzi, and Laozi.

Understanding Wuwei

At its core, wuwei is about letting go of our ego and allowing things to unfold naturally, without our intervention. It involves being in a state of awareness, so we can respond to situations appropriately without creating resistance or conflict. It’s not about being passive, but rather actively engaging with the world around us in a way that is aligned with the flow of nature.

According to Taoist philosophy, all things arise from the Tao, or the Way, which is the ultimate reality that transcends all dualities. The Tao is not something that can be described in words, but rather something that can be experienced through direct intuition. It is the source of all life and the underlying order of the universe. To live in harmony with the Tao, we must let go of our desires, judgments, and attachments, and allow ourselves to be guided by the natural order of things.

Wuwei is not just a philosophical concept, but a practical one as well. It can be seen in the way we move, breathe, and interact with others. In Tai Chi, wuwei is embodied in the practice of slow, flowing movements that follow the natural rhythms of the body and breath. The goal is not to force the movements or achieve a specific outcome, but rather to allow the movements to emerge spontaneously from within.

Wuwei in Action

To illustrate the concept of wuwei, let’s look at some stories from ancient Taoist philosophers.

In the Liezi, there is a story about a butcher named Ding. One day, a prince came to Ding’s shop and asked him to cut up an ox. Ding did so with ease, using his knife as if it were an extension of his hand. The prince was amazed and asked Ding how he was able to cut up the ox so effortlessly. Ding replied, “I don’t look at the ox with my eyes, but with my mind. My mind tells my hand where to go, and the knife follows. I let go of my ego and allow the natural order of things to guide me.”

This story demonstrates the idea of wuwei as effortless action, where the mind and body are in harmony and work together seamlessly. By letting go of his ego and allowing the natural order of things to guide him, Ding was able to perform his task with ease and skill.

In the Zhuangzi, there is a story about a man named Cook Ding who was able to chop up an ox with ease. When asked how he was able to do it, Cook Ding replied, “I follow the Tao, not my own preferences. I move with the flow of things, not against them. When I first started chopping up oxen, all I could see was the ox. Now, I see the spaces between the joints and know where to cut.”

This story illustrates the idea of wuwei as following the natural order of things, rather than trying to impose our own will on the world. By focusing on the spaces between the joints, Cook Ding was able to see the natural structure of the ox and work with it, rather than against it.

Wuwei in Tai Chi

In Tai Chi, wuwei is embodied in the practice of slow, flowing movements that follow the natural rhythms of the body and breath. Rather than trying to force the body into a specific position or movement, Tai Chi practitioners allow the movements to arise spontaneously from within. By doing so, they cultivate a deep sense of awareness and sensitivity to the natural flow of energy within the body and the environment.

Through regular practice of Tai Chi, practitioners can develop a sense of ease and relaxation in their movements, which can help reduce stress and promote overall well-being. Tai Chi has been shown to have a range of health benefits, including improving balance, flexibility, and cardiovascular health, as well as reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Research has also shown that Tai Chi can help reduce inflammation in the body, which has been linked to a range of chronic health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. In one study, participants who practiced Tai Chi regularly for 12 weeks showed a significant reduction in levels of inflammation compared to a control group ⁴.

In addition to the physical benefits, Tai Chi also has a meditative aspect, which can help cultivate a sense of inner peace and calm. By focusing on the movements and the breath, practitioners can quiet the mind and enter a state of deep relaxation. This can be particularly beneficial for those who suffer from anxiety or stress-related disorders.

Wuwei in Daily Life

While Tai Chi is a powerful practice for cultivating wuwei, the principles of non-action can be applied to all areas of our lives. By letting go of our ego and allowing things to unfold naturally, we can reduce stress and create a greater sense of harmony and balance.

One way to incorporate wuwei into daily life is to practice mindfulness. Mindfulness involves being fully present in the moment, without judgment or distraction. By cultivating awareness of our thoughts, feelings, and surroundings, we can learn to respond to situations with greater clarity and equanimity.

Another way to cultivate wuwei is to practice surrender. Surrender involves letting go of our attachment to outcomes and allowing things to unfold as they will. Rather than trying to control every aspect of our lives, we can learn to trust in the natural order of things and allow ourselves to be guided by it.

Finally, it’s important to cultivate a sense of playfulness and curiosity in our lives. By approaching situations with a sense of openness and curiosity, we can learn to let go of our expectations and allow ourselves to be surprised by the unexpected.

Nature’s path

Wuwei is a fundamental concept in Taoist philosophy and has an important role in the practice of Tai Chi. It involves letting go of our ego and allowing things to unfold naturally, without our intervention. In Tai Chi, wuwei is embodied in the practice of slow, flowing movements that follow the natural rhythms of the body and breath.

Through regular practice of Tai Chi, practitioners can develop a deep sense of awareness and sensitivity to the natural flow of energy within the body and the environment. This can help reduce stress and promote overall well-being, as well as cultivate a sense of inner peace and calm.

While Tai Chi is a powerful practice for cultivating wuwei, the principles of non-action can be applied to all areas of our lives. By letting go of our ego and allowing things to unfold naturally, we can reduce stress and create a greater sense of harmony and balance. By practicing mindfulness, surrender, and playfulness, we can cultivate a greater sense of ease and relaxation in our lives.

References:

1. Liezi. Translated by A.C. Graham. New York: Columbia University Press, 1990.
2. Zhuangzi. Translated by Burton Watson. New York: Columbia University Press, 2003.
3. Laozi. Tao Te Ching. Translated by Stephen Mitchell. New York: HarperCollins
4. A Comprehensive Review of Health Benefits of Qigong and Tai Chi
   https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3085832/