Martial Tai Chi

De-mystifying the Mysterious

The Six Harmonies

(3 external + 3 internal)

The Three External Harmonies (san wai he) are the nuts and bolts of posture:

1. Your hips harmonise with your shoulders.
2. Your knees harmonise with your elbows.
3. Your feet harmonise with your hands.

Your hips harmonise with your shoulders means that your shoulders be driven by your hips at all times.

Turning power is generated by the turning of your hips, and your shoulders should follow them. Basically if you are shifting your weight onto your right leg, then your whole torso, as a unit, should also turn right. If your weight is shifting on to your left leg, you should turn your whole torso to the left. The turn commences once your weight has passed the half way mark, the new weight-bearing leg taking more and more weight as you turn. Typically, you would open your right hip fold (kua) prior to shifting your weight on to your right leg, then close it as you turn your body. Your limbs would follow the turning of your body. We would also typically turn in the toes of the rear foot when turning so that no part of the body was left behind and your entire body power was committed to the new direction.

Your knees harmonise with your elbows means that your elbows often stay directly over your knees. When your feet and hands move, your knees and elbows should move with them.

Your feet harmonise with your hands means that you should point your toes at your target. For example if your right hand is pushing straight forwards, the toes of your right foot should also point forwards. If your right hand is delivering a sideways (hook) punch towards your left, your right toes should also point to your left. Your lead hand is often held directly over your lead foot. Your feet and hands should also "arrive together" (move at exactly the same time).

While turning power is generated by your hips, pushing power is generated by your feet and legs. Whenever you strike with a given hand, the foot on that side of your body should push against the ground to shift your weight (substantiality) over onto your opposite leg.

The Three Internal Harmonies (san nei he) are:

1. Your spirit or "emotional mind" (xin) harmonises with your intention (yi)
2. Your intention harmonises with your breath and physical momentum ("qi")
3. Your breath and physical momentum harmonise with your physical strength (li)

For a more detailed explanation please see my article on the Plum website. You can also view the film below (taken from our Taiji Concepts DVD) for an in-depth examination of the three internal harmonies.