The Conception and Useof Chen Shi Tai Chi Quan Li, Chang Jen Forewords
The Chen Shi Tai Chi Quan （陳式太極拳） may be one of the most important inventions in the martial arts history. Moreover Chen Xin （陳鑫） was the great contributor , who wrote the book - Chen Shi Tai Chi Quan Tu Shuo （陳式太極拳圖說） , and dedicated himself to transform the Tai Chi Quan from purely martial arts to a profound philosophy. This book completed the whole Tai Chi Quan system, and affected the Tai Chi world afterward as well. However the content was too difficult to understand. I wish to spread out the Tai Chi culture to whole over the world, therefore I tried to explain the whole concepts and the uses of Chen Shi Tai Chi Qaun, and present this article to all of the practitioners. Chen Xin indicated clearly when both the circulations of universe and of the human's motion tally with Tai Chi, and the circulation also matched the Yi 's principles （易理） in the Yi Jing （易經） . In Yi Jing , it said the Tai Chi is even as tiny as in the human's breathing or immense as the circulation of universe, and all things in the world are included in the Tai Chi chart. The motion of Tai Chi demonstrates an old Chinese saying, ‘ To live is to move '. The balance of Yin Yang （陰陽） in the Yi Jing indicates the importance of harmonization of human being's body. For instance, 1, 3, 7, 9 means Yang and meanwhile 2, 4, 6, 8 means Yin, and 1 + 3 + 7 + 9 = 2 + 4 + 6 + 8, so that we can get the balance number: 5. In the Chen Shi Tai Chi Quan Tu Shuo , Chen Xin explained the Chan Si Jing （纏絲勁） via the He Tu （河圖） and Luo Shu （洛書） , which were in the Yi Jing . He also explained the images of the movements by those 64 diagrams （卦） . But in those classics, the contents might not be so perfect and completed. I am going to add my studying conclusions in this article to review them and to validate them. I will explain the Chen Shi Tai Chi Quan by three parts: the foundation, the principles, and the usages. On each subject, I am going to share what I learned in the past, and try to benefit the reader. The Foundation According to the theory, the foundation of Tai Chi Quan was that the ancient masters created the movements first, and then they edited the teachings. Chen Xin extracted the essence of Yin and Yang theory, Yi Jing and Huang Ting's （黃庭） classics to build his own doctrines, and interpreted the circle and the spiral of Tai Chi Quan by Ying Yang laws, which is also called the Dichotomy . In Chinese, Quan （拳） means the power to balance the Yin and Yang. And in the old classic, Yin Jing （易經） , it highlighted the rule: the heaven = 1, and the earth = 2; the heaven = 3, and the earth = 4…..and keeps on recurring. Ying is opposite to Yang, the heaven is opposite to the earth, and 1-2, 3-4, 5-6…are opposite numerals as well. But mainly the odd numbers are the base. Therefore the rule may be like 1, 2 = 1+1, 3 = 1+1+1, 4 = 1+1+1+1, 5 = 1+1+1+1+1, 6 = 1+1+1+1+1+1+1 , and so on. These Chinese ancients spent all their lives to seek the ultimate achievements of Yin and Yang. They presumed that in case they took 1 （ the heaven ） and 2 （ the earth ） as Yin and Yang, then the numeric 3 was the combination of Yin and Yang （ 3= 1+2 ） . The origin of Spiral • Dichotomy of Spiral : 9 – 7 – 5 – 3 – 1 * 2 – 4 – 6 – 8 – 10 （ This indicates the origin of Tai Chi Chart ） . • Trichotomy of Spiral : 1 – 2 – 3 * 4 – 5 – 6 * 7 – 8 – 9, 1 + 5 + 9 / 2 + 6 + 7 / 3 + 4 + 8 （ This means the obverse side ） • Four Divisions of Spiral : 1 + 4 + 7 + 6 + 9 + 12 = 3 + 2 + 5 + 8 + 11 + 10. • Five Divisions of Spiral : 1 + 8 + 12 + 19 + 25 = 3 + 7 + 14 + 20 + 21 = 2 + 9 + 15 + 16 + 23 = 5 + 6 + 13 + 17 + 24. Based on the He Tu （河圖） , the foregoing indicated that the origin of the spiral was the ‘Dual Spiral Balance' . Either the obverse side or the reserve side formed the base of a spiral, and this even provided a better way to explain than Chen Xin's. However Chen Xin mentioned the single spiral, also called'Chan Si Jing' （纏絲勁） , which was generated from 1. Chen Xin talked about the square and the circle as well. In He Tu , it expressed a concept which a circle and a square are symbiotic. The circle is outside and the square is inside. This was also discussed in Luo Shu （洛書） . The actions of Tai Chi Quan include both the shapes of square and circle. Furthermore the moving with square shape were the surface / top, and those with circle shape were the within / bottom. At times when we practice Tai Chi Quan, our body may slant, but we still need to keep our focus upright. Chen Xin said that in the Tai Chi Chart, the circle came from the square, and both of them were brought from the numeric: 1. In Luo Shu , it indicated a special and basic rule: ‘ 2 and 4 are the shoulder; 8 and 6 are the feet; 3 is at the left side, and 7 is at the right side; 9 is at the top, and 1 is at the bottom; 5 is at the center'. Therefore the Chan Si Jing （纏絲勁） used the rule of ‘ 1-4-7 / 2-5-8 / 3-6 -9' , and each combination can form a triangle. To view in a comprehensive way, the square and the circle will merge into one completed shape. Meanwhile, in He Tu , there was another rule, ' 1 and 6 are at the bottom; 2 and 7 are at the top; 3 and 8 are at the left side; 4 and 9 are at the right side. All these numeric mean that Yang is at the top and Yin is at the bottom; Yang is at the right side and Yin is at the left side. 5 and 10 are the pivot to sum up, and these two numeric mean the earth too.'
The Ji （極） exists at the ultimate, at the most tiniest point of human's body; exists in the long history and in the short human's breathing. So one sage created a circle to contain the two spheres （二儀） , the four elements （四象） and the eight diagrams （八卦） from the ultimate. On the one hand, by these diagrams, people can forecast the good or bad luck or the motion of universe. And on the other hand, people can find Tai Chi on themselves too. Thus, we can understand that our body is also a mini cosmos, and we are living within the macrocosm. • One archetype – Heart In the man's body, from head to toe, you can find the evidences of Tai Chi. No matter the movement or the breathing of our body is taken as one part of ‘Quan' （拳） . The axis of Quan is our heart, which controls both our body and mind. And which manages the mental part is Qi （氣） . Qi is transformed from the Yin and Yang and the 5 elements of the heaven and earth. The Qi dominates the body, and vice versa the body is functioned by the Qi. Tai Chi was generated from none, and since then it was established, it had already existed in the human's heart. The old people created the movements of Quan by the observation on nature, and gave the names of movements with the names of animals and everything in the nature world. The root of Tai Chi is Yin and Yang, and when these two work smoothly and mutually, that will be a perfect situation. There is a saying about Tai Chi Quan which the heart is the arbitrator to all organs in our body, and the heart can control all the movements and actions both in our physical and mental ways. That means the heart controls the Yin and Yang as well at the same time. • Two principles – Yin and Yang The Yin and Yang are fulfilled in the nature, and also in our body. By this, all things on earth are created. The old people observed the motion of universe, understood the essence, and then created Tai Chi Quan. Quan means the power, and can balance the Yin and Yang. Once the Yin and Yang are balanced, and then the turbulences in this world will go to an end and return to normal. Yi Jin （易經） describes that people in olden days spent all their lives on making a thorough inquiry and developed the philosophy of matters, nature and density. Besides they knew that Duo （道） was the basis of the universe, and the universe was the basis of all things in the world. In their thoughts, the Duo, the universe, the matters and the human beings were connected to each other, and only the human being could see through the pith of Duo and then spread around to the rest of people. The person who could understand the Duo and had the ability to teach others was the sage. The universe transmitted its Duo to people by the changes of the four seasons, and these wise men responded to those changes and wrote the classics, set the rules and taught all the learners. The difference of human beings and animals is that the human beings know the rules of the operation of the nature and then would follow it. • Three essentials – the moving, the breathing, and the visualizingFor those learners, the most important thing is to learn the ‘correct postures'. With correct postures, the learners can adjust their movements, muscles, bones, breathing and even the Qi （氣） . In the first stage, the practitioners should focus on their movements, and later on, they will learn how to relax their muscles and their minds. Never try to enforce hard on yourself, just follow the movements and the visualizations naturally, and then you will achieve the place of harmony. Meanwhile the practitioners should learn how to breathe deeply and smoothly. That can help developing a more healthy body. Do not rush, and do not expect immediate results. An old saying reminds people that they should keep the correct postures, therefore not only the muscles and bones can be adjusted, so the breathing and the Qi, even people's behaviors can be formed onto the right path. Regarding to the breathing, it is connected with the Tai Chi closely, and is categorized into two: the inhalation is the Yin and the expiration is the Yang. The flow of air going up is the Yang and down is the Yin. When we talk about the respiration, there are two sorts: one is abdominal respiration （腹式呼吸） and the other is thoracic breathing （胸式呼吸） , and the former can also be divided into two kinds: direct breathing （順式呼吸） , and regress breathing （逆式呼吸） . When we breathe with the method of direct breathing, it can help to promote the health, and when practicing Tai Chi Quan with all the muscles, then people should breathe with the method of regress breathing. If people can breathe with proper ways in different scenarios, then it will be more helpful to the health. While people practice Tai Chi Quan, the movements will reflect the internal of their hearts. When their hearts are straight, then the movements, even their behaviors will be correct and straight. Therefore people should keep this in mind carefully all the time. 4. Four judiciousness – Wise teachers, good friends, understanding oneself, and the wisdom A wise teacher understands the emphasis of all theories. The teacher does not only transmit the knowledge to students, but also answers the students' questions. Nowadays although people are not bored with all the knowledge in the world, they think asking questions to their teachers is a shame. So in the moment, a good friend represents his/her importance. Good friends can widen people's horizon, and guide them onto the right direction. However there are still some bad friends, and they will lead onto a road of evil. People must know that their biggest opponent is themselves, and once they know themselves well, and they can fight all the battles with no danger of defeat. Sometimes people just think but without learning, so they will feel confused; and sometimes people just study but without thinking, so they will gain nothing. That's why people should think carefully what they got from studying, and then that will become people's treasure, the wisdom. People need to realize there is no limit of wisdom, so all people should show more respect to it. 5. Five theories – The circulation of Qi, the balance of Qi, the energy in the bones, the 5 sorts of Qi, and the unity of Qi The ancestors mentioned that there is a Qi in the middle of our body. It will not lean on the right side or the left side. Furthermore, there is also a ‘middle way' in the universe. All human beings and all things in the world should obey the ‘middle way' to live and to act. Without this, the whole world will be in a disorder. Mencius （孟子） taught people the awe-inspiring righteousness, and the Yi Jing （易經） taught people the way to balance the Qi. Whatever the righteousness or the Qi, they all come from the heart. The heart is the arbitrator to control the movements, the visualization, and the flow of Qi to each organ. And then each organ gets the energy to function and collaborate with each other well. After so many year of research, I myself learned these 5 outcomes: The circulation of Qi （周天搬運） , the balance of Qi （乾坤混元） , the energy in the bones （骨中行氣） , the 5 sorts of Qi （五色氣脈） , and the unity of Qi （無極歸元） . These 5 outcomes can be practiced smoothly and perfectly with the Chen Xi Tai Chi Quan. I found that the five elements （五行） generate 5 sorts of Qi, and I merged them into the 12 meridians in the body. Subsequently I used the combined Qi in the practice of Tai Chi Quan. It assists to create a solid mind and a healthy and sound body. The most important is it corresponds to the rhythm of the nature, so that I can transform to be part of the nature and the universe, 6. Six places – hands, eyes, heart, body, rules, and steps The movements start from the hands, and with each movement, there are other movements occur and follow. Those movements gradually are developed from a single step to a suite of steps, from easy, rude steps to complicated, exquisite ones. Whenever people practice the Tai Chi Quan, they should notice their hands, eyes, heart, body, steps and rules to collocate with each other, and they will achieve the most effectiveones. There is an ultimate status for all the practitioners wish to transform those steps and rules in as they are innateness, and use them so naturally. Another saying elucidates that the inner combination is the heart, visualization and the energy, and the outer combination is the hands/feet, elbows/knees, and shoulder/hip. The hands move with the eyes and then the visualization joins, and afterwards the heart connects the body, the Qi, and the universe. The feet are the foundation of the body. Once people start to move from the feet, then it drives the Qi from the universe, and as well triggers the motions of the above six points. 7. Seven applications – military tactics, art works, philosophy, culture, medical treatments, self-defense, recreation: To sum up, the martial arts have seven major applications:1. Military tactics: in the history, there are many evidences to show the relationships between the martial arts and the wars. In order to defeat the enemies, soldiers were ordered to learn martial arts, not only strengthened their bodies, but also gained the skills to attack and defend.2. Art works: the martial arts demonstrate the art of motion. The property of martial arts is tough, and is opposite to the dance. People can express their emotions by different ways, like painting or sports.3. Philosophy: each kind of the martial art has its own theory as the foundation, and that can fulfill the culture level to evolve the unique philosophy of martial arts. Especially Tai Chi Quan is the classic of the martial arts. Its philosophic theory is so abstruse and goes deep into the consciousness.4. Culture: the factors of different dynasties, backgrounds, eras, and races generated different styles of martial arts culture. In different eras, the martial arts which were populated and beloved by people are differentiated.5. Medical treatments: sports and the movings of martial arts can heal illnesses. The Chinese martial arts are acceded to the Chinese medicine theory as a treatment, and that is the biggest feature from other martial arts or medicine theory.6. Self-defense: the initial purpose of martial arts is to defend people themselves. The movements are stumbling, beating, catching, and kicking and so on. The feature of Chinese martial arts is to attack the fatal acupuncture points, instead of those physical limbs contacts.7. Recreation: recently the recreation is an arising issue in the modern society. Proponents are always looking for any solution for the aim of the relaxation and improving health, and of course Tai Chi Quan is the best solution.8. Eight internal energies - Peng （捧） , Luo （捋） , Ji （擠） , An （按） , Cai （採） , Lie （冽） , Zhou （肘） , and Kao （靠）Before people start to adopt Tai Chi Quan or any other martial art, they have to know how to manipulate their internal energies and external strengths properly first. The Chinese martial arts especially emphasize on the internal energy. While the practitioners try to use their internal energies, they should shout out their voices meantime as well. The purpose is to scare the enemies and avoid getting hurt. The ancient masters thought the internal energy was invisible, fast, and persistent and the external strength was remarkable, slow, and transient. The practitioners must learn to control their strengths, and use their internal energy very skillfully in any order. There are varieties of internal energies, which are associated with the Eight Diagrams:
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