The Archive

Theory: Concepts & Principles of the Internal Martial Arts

Concepts and principles behind the practice: standing meditation, internal power, and the philosophy that connects the classical texts to training.

Yang Style Tai Chi

Wuji

Wuji (無極) is the undifferentiated state before yin and yang separate — the root concept of Tai Chi theory. Its meaning, sources, and practice.

Internal martial arts

Standing Meditation

Standing meditation (Zhan Zhuang, 站樁) is the foundational stillness practice of the internal martial arts. Its method, posture requirements, and Wuji theory.

Yang Style Tai Chi

Push Hands

Push hands (推手, Tuishou) is the two-person practice of Tai Chi that trains sticking, neutralizing, and issuing. Its method, four classical errors, and competition.

Yang Style Tai Chi

Four-Character Secret

The Four-Character Secret of Wu Yuxiang names four verbs — spread, cover, confront, swallow — as the fighting method of Tai Chi. Text, translation, and application.