The Taijiquan Classics

I have a vast library of books on Taijiquan. One aspect most of the books has in common is some reference to the Taijiquan Classics. The Classics of Taijiquan are important to these authors because they are the foundations for good Taijiquan practice. But, I have two questions: first, why are the classics often relegated to the appendix of a book, and two, what defines a “Classic of Taijiquan” anyway?

My first book on Taijiquan did not include a single classic. Dr. Yang, Jwing Ming’s “little yellow book” (as I call it) had a brief introduction to the form, followed by lots of photos and detailed explanations of how to perform the sequence of postures. It was a later book from Dr. Yang, Advanced Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan, Volume 1, Tai Chi Theory and Tai Chi Jing that introduced me to the classics. The appendix of this book has 15 classics with the original Chinese, a translation, and an explanation.
I remember reading these in the bookstore and wondering why some of them, at least, were not in the other book. Dr. Yang would later expand the classics to complete reference series, with books dedicated to the classical literature of each of the major family styles of Taijiquan.

Back to my original question, what are the classics? I normally start such searches from my own library, but this time I searched the internet, and found an entry on Wikipedia that included books from Sun Lutang and Chen family masters.

After studying the books in my library I came up with a chart cross referencing the classics mentioned in each book. With that chart, I found six classics mentioned in multiple sources. From those, I chose three since most of the material is duplicated in the others.

Without further explanation, here is my (initial) interpretation of The Taijiquan Classics.

What is Taijiquan?

What is Taijiquan? It is like a long river and a great sea, rolling unceasingly.

Within it, there are the Changes and the Great Primal Beginning. These generate the two primary forces. The two primary forces generate the four images. The four images generate the eight trigrams.

What are the thirteen postures? Ward-off, Rollback, Press, Push, Pluck, Split, Elbow-stroke, Shoulder-stroke, these are the Eight Trigrams.

Forward, Backward, Beware of the Left, Look to the Right, Central Equilibrium, these are the Five Phases.

Ward-off, Rollback, Press, and Push is Heaven, Earth, Water, and Fire; the four main sides.

Pluck, Split, Elbow-stroke, and Shoulder-stroke is Wind, Thunder, Lake, and Mountain, the four diagonal corners.

Forward, Backward, Beware of the Left, Look to the Right, and Central Equilibrium is Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth.

Together they are the Thirteen Postures.

The Song of Thirteen Postures

Do not neglect any of the thirteen postures of Taijiquan; do not treat them lightly.

The source of will, and energy of life originates at the waist.

Change from insubstantial to substantial with the greatest of care.

The Qi circulates without the slightest stagnation.

Touch the movement in the stillness.

Sense the stillness in the movement.

Vary your response to the enemy and follow his intent; show the marvelous technique.

Pay attention to every posture, gauge its purpose, and you will achieve skill without wasting your time and energy.

In every movement the heart (hsin) remains on the waist

Relax the abdomen keep it lite, allowing the Qi to rise up.

Remain upright and the spirit (shen) will thread through the top of the head.

The body is pliable with the top of the head suspended.

Pay attention to your research of Taijiquan, seeking its meaning and purpose.

Bent and extended, open and closed let nature take its course.

Beginning your study requires instruction.

Practice without ceasing, gradually apply yourself more and more.

Skill comes through self-study.

If asked, what is the standard of Taijiquan, the answer is Yi (mind) and Qi are primary, the bones and muscles are secondary.

What is Taijiquan’s purpose? It is for health, longevity, and rejuvenation.

Taijiquan is an eternal spring.

Every word of this song has enormous value.

If you fail to follow the advice in this song, you are wasting your time and energy, merely passing the time.

The Theory of Taijiquan

With every movement, the body is lite and agile (Ching and Lin). More important, each joint of the body is articulated like a string of pearls.

The breath should be full and still inside, penetrating the entire body. Your Shen (Spirit Energy) is concentrated and retained internally.

All the movements must be smooth and round, no part should be deficient or excessive; no part should be disconnected.

The internal energy is rooted in the feet, flows upwards through the legs, controlled by the waist and expressed in the fingers. The movements of the feet, legs, and waist must be integrated to act as a unit. When the entire body is acting as a unit, going forward or backward, you can gain the superior position.

If you fail to gain the superior position then your mind is scattered, and your body is disordered. To solve this problem you must develop the waist and the legs.

Movement up or down, forwards or backwards, left or right is the same. This is understood with the (yi) intent, and not with force (externally).

If there is a top, there is a bottom; if there is a front, there is a back; if there is a left, there is a right.

Before moving upward, one must first move downward. Just as one intends to pull up a tree must first push downwards to loosen the roots. This means lifting something upward and then destroying it downward. If the root of the object is lifted, it can be destroyed easily.

Yin and yang must be clearly distinguished. Every part of the body has a substantial and an insubstantial aspect. The unity of the body must be maintained, linking the joints together without the slightest break.