Traditional Chen Taiji offers a complete and robust martial art system. This internal martial art system embodies both yin and yang energies expressed through applications of eight hand techniques (八法) and five stepping techniques (五步 **). Together, these thirteen techniques form the thirteen basic movements (十三勢) of Taijiquan. That is why Taijiquan is sometimes called “The Thirteen Postures” (十三勢).
This paper describes the eight hand techniques of Taijiquan, also known as Eight Energies. The eight hand techniques can be divided into four primary energies and four auxiliary energies. These energies refer to the eight techniques you can use the hands to exert force in martial art applications. Understanding these techniques can help the Taiji practitioner better acquire the skills in performing the Taiji form as well.
The four primary energies constitutes the majority of the energies used in the first Classical Chen Taiji fist form, Lao Jia YiLu (陈氏太极拳 老架一路), while the corner or auxiliary energies constitute the majority of the energies used in the second Classical Chen Taiji second form, Lao Jia ErLu (陈氏太极拳 老架二路).
Four Primary Energies
The four primary energies consists of peng (掤) “to expand, maintain”, lu (捋)“redirect, deflect to the side”, ji (挤) “press forward”, an (按) “press downward” and are issued by the hands in eight directions from the body.
Peng (掤)
Peng energy is issued in the upward and outward direction, to expand and maintain energy outward. It is the most important energy in all the eight hand techniques. Almost all the foundation movements involves the use of this technique. Whether you are stepping forward, stepping backward, turning left or right, you must maintain the Peng energy to safeguard yourself.
When executing the Peng energy, it is important to keep three principles in mind:
- Peng energy is best used to stick to the opponent, and not used to combat force from opponent.
- While executing Peng energy, maintain your upper arm and elbow in a circular arc. Do not let your lower arm stay close to your abdomen.
- Execution of Peng energy must follow the “when opponent advance, I retreat” principle. Rather than just depend on stepping movements to neutralize your opponent’s advance, we must not let opponent’s linear line of attack penetrate the circular sphere of protective force afforded by the Peng energy. If the opponent continues to apply force to cut my arc of protection, the outward force produced by the Peng energy will enable me to control my opponent’s balance.
Lu (捋)
Lu energy is issued laterally, to redirect incoming energy by deflecting opponent’s energy to the side.
When executing Lu energy, it is important to keep the following principles in mind:
- Redirect incoming force while following the direction of force set by the opponent.
- Turn your waist and sink your kua as you redirect your opponent’s energy.
- Maintain contact with opponent’s wrist and stop opponent from attacking with shoulder or attacking my groin area.
Ji (挤)
Ji energy is issued by pressing forward with the hands or any part of the body. This technique is used to stop opponent from pushing towards you by using your hand, arm, shoulder or back to stick to your opponent and press forward towards your opponent.
An (按)
An energy is issued downwards. By pressing downwards with the hands, you can control your opponent from advancing in the attack.
An energy still requires you to press downwards, using energy from throughout your body. If you redirect your opponent to the side while you executing An, you cause your opponent’s body to move sideways. If you redirect your opponent towards you while you execute An, you may cause your opponent’s heel to leave the ground.
Four Auxiliary Energies
The four auxiliary energies consists of cai (採) “pluck and pull down”, lie (挒) “split”, zhou (肘) “elbow strike”, kao (靠) “leaning strike”.
Cai (採)
Cai energy is issued by plucking part of your opponent’s body and pull downwards. The progression of the energy change is similar to plucking a flower or leaf – such as tighten after loosening your gripe, drop before pulling up, sink before lift.
Lie (挒)
Lie energy is issued by splitting the energy in opposite directions. This is the movement where you move your opponent’s energy to immobilize his/her body.
When executing Lie energy, you need to receive your opponent’s energy while redirect the direction of his/her force. In other words, you follow the direction of force executed by your opponent before trying to redirect that force in a different direction. It is important to synchronize your entire body movement throughout the following and redirect stages of execution.
Zhou (肘)
Zhou means elbow in Chinese. Zhou energy is issued by using your elbow to strike your opponent. Due to the sharpness of the elbow, you are likely to hit the ribs and other vital organs of your opponent. Please use elbow strikes with caution. There are multiple variations of elbow strikes. Using your elbow to hook your opponent to bring him/her closer is also a form of elbow strike.
Kao (靠)
Kao energy is issued with your shoulder. You can use the back of your shoulder to effect a back Kao. You can also use the front part of your shoulder to effect a front Kao. Kao can only be used at close proximity to your opponent.
Care must be taken to maintain your balance when you use shoulder strikes. If your timing and your body position are not perfect when you do a shoulder strike, it is very easy to be countered by your opponent, and worst yet, be hit by your opponent.
** The Five Stepping Techniques (五步) consists of Step Forward (前進)，Step Backward (後退)，Glance Left (左顧)，Glance Right (右盼)，Stay Center (中定).