Yang-Sheng (Nurturing Life) Volume 2, Issue No.

3
Yin and Yang in Taiji
by Eric Borreson
Meditation in Motion
One oI the Iundamental principles oI taiji is that
we start in wuji, or neutral emptiness. As we begin
to move, wuji separates into yin and yang, the oppo-
site poles oI the universe. Yin corresponds to insub-
stantial, or storing energy. Yang corresponds to sub-
stantial, or delivering energy.
One oI Yang Chen Fu's Ten Essential Points
says that we must be able to distinguish between in-
substantial (yin, storing energy) and substantial
(yang, delivering energy) to be able to turn and
move lightly and graceIully. II we can`t tell the diI-
Ierence between yin and yang, our
steps will be heavy and sluggish.
Another oI Yang Chen Fu's Ten
Essential Points says that we must co-
ordinate the upper and lower body.
The whole body should act as a uniIied
whole. Motion is rooted in the Ieet,
released through the legs, controlled by
the waist, and maniIested by the hands
through the shoulders and arms. When
our hands move, our waist and Ieet as well as the
Iocus oI our eyes must move accordingly.
We need to have both yin and yang in our hands
and Ieet. When one hand is yin, the other is yang.
When one Ioot is yin, the other is yang. In addition,
we need to have both yin and yang on the same side
oI the body. When the right Ioot is yang
(substantial), the right hand is yin (storing energy).
Throughout our Iorms, our hands and Ieet continu-
ously transition between yin and yang.
Why is this important? What diIIerence does it
make whether a hand or a Ioot is yin or yang?
The answer to these questions is simple, yet sub-
tle. Intention, thus visualization, is very important in
taiji. We need to learn to visualize the movements oI
the Iorms. When we become aware oI yin and yang,
we can start to develop a mental image oI a linkage
between our hands and Ieet. When we mentally link
our hands and Ieet, we also link our upper body with
our lower body so they Iollow each other. Our hands
reach their Iull extension at the same time we Iinish
shiIting our weight.
With practice, it becomes more natural to use
spiral Iorce Irom your Ieet and legs to create the
movement oI your hands. In turn, this awareness oI
connectedness helps us become more aware oI yin
and yang as we shiIt our weight. In turn,
this makes us more aware oI our balance
and weight. We become more rooted.
It's a virtuous circle. As we practice
our taiji, we become aware oI the intercon-
nected principles that underlie taiji. Spiral
Iorce helps us move properly. Moving
properly helps us understand yin and yang,
which relates to substantial and insubstan-
tial. It develops into a never-ending spiral
oI deeper and deeper understanding.
Practice your Iorms. Thousands oI times. There
are no shortcuts.
Eric Borreson, a student and teacher,
Iinds teaching tai chi, qigong, and med-
itation to be a path to a more meaning-
Iul liIe. Eric is the Iounder and director
oI Meditation in Motion, specializing in
teaching about living healthier and hap-
pier lives. He is a Master Instructor in
the Therapeutic Tai Chi system. He
teaches tai chi and qigong at the pres-
tigious Heartland Spa, a top 10 destina-
tion spa, in Gilman, IL. In addition, he teaches tai chi (Therapeutic
Tai Chi, Yang 24, Dr. Lam`s Tai Chi Ior Arthritis, and Dr. Lam`s
Tai Chi Ior Diabetes) at other venues. He teaches private lessons
on request. He writes a weekly wellness column at http://eric-
taichi.blogspot.com