The Mystical and Physical Aspects of the Beginning Posture in Tai Chi

The opening movement of the tai chi form – raising and lowering the arms – serves as more than just an initial gesture; it is a bridge between stillness and movement, a microcosm of tai chi’s deeper principles. This motion encapsulates the interplay of yīn and yáng (陰陽, harmony of opposites), the fundamental polarity that governs all tai chi practice. Through the lens of Cheng Man-Ch’ing’s teachings and classical tai chi philosophy, we can explore both the mystical significance and physical mechanics of this seemingly simple action.

The Mystical Significance: Yīn, Yáng, and Qì

In Cheng Tzu’s Thirteen Treatises On T’ai Chi Ch’uan, Cheng Man-Ch’ing describes the beginning posture as the genesis of tai chi, the moment where the primordial unity gives birth to the liǎng yí (兩儀, two primordial powers) – yīn and yáng. In this movement, yīn is represented by the earth, heavy and still, while yáng is light and rising, associated with the heavens.

The rising of the arms symbolizes the rising/expanding nature of yáng, as qì (氣, internal energy) moves upward, inflating the body with life and intention. The sinking of the arms, conversely, reflects the descent of qì, deflating the body into a state of relaxation and grounding. This cyclical interplay is foundational to tai chi: movement arises from stillness and returns to stillness, like the eternal ebb and flow of the universe.

Breath is an integral part of this process. As the arms rise, practitioners inhale, drawing in fresh energy and filling the body with vitality. As the arms lower, they exhale, releasing tension and grounding themselves in stillness. This synchronization of breath and movement enhances relaxation, focus, and the natural flow of qì.

The practitioner uses their xīn (心, mind/heart) to guide qì, which in turn directs the body. The arms are not lifted by muscular effort alone; rather, they follow the internal fullness of qì. When the arms lower, the energy naturally sinks, preparing the body for subsequent movements. This approach transforms the simple act of raising and lowering into a profound exercise in energetic regulation and alignment.

The Physical Mechanics: The Six Changes of the Wrists

Cheng Man-Ch’ing emphasizes that this initial movement is an exercise in opening and relaxing the wrists. He identifies six distinct changes in their positioning:

1. From attention posture to preparation posture – The first shift occurs as the body settles into a neutral stance, allowing the practitioner to collect their intent.
2. Rising of the arms – The arms ascend as though floating in water, with the backs of the wrists pointing upward and the fingers relaxing downward.
3. Extending the fingers at shoulder height – Here, the qì moves into the fingers, extending them naturally without tension.
4. Folding of the wrists and elbows – As the arms retreat, the wrists and elbows fold in front of the shoulders, and the fingers again relax downward.
5. Sinking of the wrists – The downward movement mimics sinking into water, with the fingertips delicately floating on the surface.
6. Return to the beginning posture – Finally, the arms lower to rest at the sides, completing the cycle and reestablishing equilibrium.

This sequence of transformations teaches practitioners to move with the fluidity of water, reinforcing the concept that tai chi is not about muscular force but about internal energy and alignment.

Historical Context: Was the Raising of the Arms Always Present?

Curiously, older tai chi manuals, such as Yang Cheng-Fu’s 1934 The Essence and Application of Taijiquan and Xu Yusheng’s 1921 Tai-Chi Power Enhancement & Postures, do not mention the raising and lowering of the arms. The omissions suggest that this movement may not have been a standardized feature of earlier tai chi forms. Instead, classical texts emphasize the postural alignments, the inner intent, and the stillness that underlies all movement.

This raises an intriguing possibility: Was the opening motion once considered optional, or did it develop over time as an accessible way to illustrate tai chi’s internal dynamics? Modern practitioners recognize the emblematic nature of this gesture, but its absence in earlier texts suggests that the true essence of tai chi lies not in external choreography but in the principles governing the body’s internal energy.

More Than Just an Opening Gesture

The act of raising and lowering the arms at the beginning of the tai chi form is more than a preparatory movement – it is an encapsulation of tai chi’s deepest principles. Physically, it initiates relaxation and structural alignment, while mystically, it mirrors the dynamic interplay of yīn and yáng, stillness and motion, emptiness and fullness. Whether an ancient or a later addition, this gesture serves as an essential primer for what follows, setting the stage for a practice that is at once physical, energetic, and profoundly philosophical.

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By Oliver Herzfeld

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