1. Basics of executing Taiji steps

Basics of executing Taiji steps

Always trigger the turning of the body at the waist/hip and initiating the move with turning on only 1 foot, either on the toes or on the heel.

As you move from 1 step to the next, always maintain the same body height. Do not 'bob up and down' or jerk abruptly. To do so, make sure you have properly balanced the weight of your body on the supporting leg first.

Moving the foot

• Never turn/shift both feet at the same time. There is never a step that involves turning or shifting both feet at once.
• To take the next 'Step':
• Before each move, always sit and shift more weight onto the balancing leg and lighten up as much as possible the 'moving' leg, before lifting either its toes or heel.
• For the next 'Move', when you are lifting the foot that is in front, usually lift up the toes first and use the heel as pivot.
• If you are lifting the foot that is behind, usually lift up the heel first and use the toes as pivot.
• With each 'Move', when stepping forward, usually land on the heel first before stepping down the toes.
• When stepping backwards, usually step down the toes first, then land the heel.
• After landing either foot, balance the weight distribution and adjust your body position (including the correct sitting and sinking-in of the hip) to the correct facing/direction BEFORE you manifest the 'pump-up' or Gong Tui' (躬腿).
  

Moving the hands

• The hands should never move by themselves; their movements are led-on by the turning of the hip/waist (胯).
  
• Always keep the shoulder joints relaxed, arms soft to the touch but feels heavy. They will not give a 'heavy' feel if you use strength to control it. They will also feel 'hard' to the touch because the muscles are tightened.
• For most steps, movement only involves the lower arm, i.e. only by flexing of the elbow joint.
• Remember to keep the wrist joints relaxed and straight, not bent and tightened.
• When opening the palm, pay attention to opening the fingers one at a time, either starting with the last finger or with the thumb. Keep the fingers relaxed and slightly separated.
• Never straighten the elbow joint completely. Always keep it slightly bent, elbow pointing to ground and cavity of the elbow joint facing sky-wards and not sideways.

General Guide for each step (one step consists of a few movements)

• Each step will begin with the sinking of weight onto the stationery foot.
• The gradual sinking will cause the other foot to be raised until it is pivoted on either the heel or the toes.
• Next, turn the body using the pivoted toes or heel as fulcrum (minimal frictional resistance), and with most of the body weight still balanced on the supporting foot.
• The turning of the body, and in particular - at the waist/hip (胯) moves the arms accordingly.
  
• When the turning and the move is complete, again sink the body weight onto the supporting foot (usually the leg behind).
• Each step is completed with the 'pumping up' or 'Gong Tui' (躬腿) effect felt from the sinking of the body weight onto the supporting foot.

 
NOTE:always maintain the same height throughout. The sinking of body weight and 'pumping' must not be executed with the physical body appearing as 'bobbing up and down'. You should only be using 意 (Yi) or 'mind intention' to direct the 气 (Qi) or life force to issue the 劲 (Jing) or energy.