Qingcheng Tai chi DynamicExercises: Six Forms

What are the Six Forms of Practice?

1. Starting Posture: Activating the Ren and Du Meridians, Connecting the Triple Burner. This posture stimulates the Ren and Du meridians. The concave chest and rounded back movement creates a pull on the chest and ribs, directly stimulating the three Yin meridians of the hand and the Stomach Meridian of Foot Yangming. The shift in weight during the squatting and stepping movements rotates the Belt Meridian, coordinating with the arcing motion of the hands to activate the Pericardium Meridian of Hand Jueyin and the Lung Meridian of Hand Taiyin, achieving the initial state of "form moves, Qi follows," laying the foundation for the circulation of Qi and blood in subsequent movements.

2. Guan Gong Stroke Beard: Soothing the Liver and Gallbladder, Regulating Qi. The waist-turning and beard-grabbing movement primarily stimulates the Gallbladder Meridian of Foot Shaoyang and the Liver Meridian of Foot Jueyin along the rib area. The movement of the hands along the Belt Meridian stimulates key acupoints such as Tianshu, coordinating with the bow stance and palm push to create an opening and closing of the chest and abdomen, promoting the rise and fall of Qi in the Middle Burner. The ten fingers forming a mudra can unblock the six Jing-Well points of the hands, achieving Qi and blood linkage between the limbs and torso.

 3. Cloud Sehielding Elbow: This movement, involving hooking the elbow while squatting in a T-stance, creates tension between the Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian and the Hand Shaoyang Triple Energizer Meridian. The spiral extension of the arm during the bow stance stimulates the transmission sensation of the Hand's three Yin meridians from the chest to the hand. The design of the eyes following the palm movement draws the Qi of the Liver Meridian upwards to the eyes, conforming to the theory of "the Liver opening to the eyes" in traditional Chinese medicine.

4. Oriole Swinging: This movement strengthens the Dai Meridian and facilitates the flow of Qi. The horizontal rotation of the waist during the horse stance maximizes the function of the Dai Meridian. The pupal-like movement of hooking the hand and turning it into a palm allows the Qi of the Hand's three Yang meridians to be transmitted like waves, stimulating the Jing-Well and Ying-Spring acupoints of the Foot's three Yang meridians in conjunction with the squatting and rising movements. The 180-degree rotation achieves three-dimensional connection between the Ren and Du meridians and the Chong Meridian, enhancing the overall coordination of the meridian system.

5.Bule Dragon Wagging:This movement activates the Qiao Wei Meridian and balances Yin and Yang. The coordinated contraction of the Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian and the Yin Qiao Meridian occurs when the legs are bent in a balanced position.  The twisting and elbow-lifting movement stimulates the Jiaji acupoints through a spiral spinal motion. Combined with the forward and backward extension hand gestures, this creates a pulling and lengthening effect on the three Yin meridians of the hand, achieving the dual effects of "unblocking the Du meridian and reaching the spine" and "regulating the Qiao meridian."

6. Closing Posture: Integrating Qi and Strengthening the Foundation. The closing posture uses a three-finger mudra (activating the Lung, Large Intestine, and Pericardium meridians) to gather Qi. The surging and rounded design of the ten fingers allows the Qi of the twelve meridians to return to its proper channels. Combined with downward breathing to guide Qi to the Dantian, this completes the closed loop of meridian regulation through the combination of practice and nourishment.