13 postures
Most people are on a path with a dead end. They train ten years and they end up with nothing.
(Paul Gale)
What are the 13 postures?
Tai chi is the 13 postures.
All movements - whether form, drill or self defence - must be the 13
postures.
The 13 postures are the
ways in which the
energy is
moved whilst
performing tai chi.
Our students address this topic in the tai chi syllabus.
Postures?
The word
‘posture’ is quite misleading because its meaning is widely misunderstood.
Posture actually refers to the way in which a person is stood or
moves.
The onus is upon the nature of their action, rather than a shape.
Thought tends to create fixed structures in the mind, which can make dynamic entities seem to be static.
(Will Keepin)
'13 powers',
'13 principles', '13 patterns' or '13 ways' would be a more accurate description.
13 postures
The 13 postures are called:
wardoff,
rollback,
push,
squeeze,
pluck,
split,
elbow,
shoulder/bump,
advance,
withdraw,
look right,
look left and
central equilibrium.
Form postures
Some of the form postures are called the same names as the 13
postures.
Those particular postures serve to highlight a particular energy expression
taken from the 13 postures.
It is important not to confuse form postures with being the 13 postures.
Consider: 'rollback'.
Rollback energy involves taking incoming force, drawing it back, to the
side and down.
The rollback form posture incorporates a combination of the 13 postures:
wardoff, rollback, pluck, split and withdraw.
It could also involve push, pluck and elbow if you wanted it to.
The rollback form posture could use other jing: listening, understanding, following, stick/adhere, yielding, leading,
controlling, uprooting and rooting.
You must differentiate between form posture and energy expression.
Expression
It is very important to comprehend that you are not striking
in the conventional way.
The body learns how to move differently.
The 13 postures represent this new way of moving.
Each quality can only be made manifest by a specific kind of physical action.
Training form
Each posture involves a
principle jing and often several subsidiary jing.
You must know what these are.
Positioning, frame, alignment and weight distribution are the
means by which you shape and express kinetic
energy.
If your understanding of the 13 postures is lacking, what are you
expressing?
Which jing?
Emphasis
The structure, movement and nature of each posture becomes something quite
different when you think in terms of the 13 postures.
Form is seen as a moving
network of associated body parts, whose purpose is to cultivate and
release energy.
Posture is no longer static. It is shaped
movement.
Page created 4 July 1998