Why do we use the waist in Tai Chi? What is the role of the waist in Tai Chi movement? Once you understand this question, you can consciously use the waist in the practice of boxing, in order to achieve improving the skills and fitness and cure diseases.

Why do we use the waist in Tai Chi

Tai Chi movement is based on the waist as the axis, using the waist as the axis to lead the limbs to perform circular motion, this is the unique way of Tai Chi movement. Only by using the waist as the axis to lead the limbs can we form a spiral wrapping circular motion.

Using the waist as the axis to lead the limbs, as the action changes continuously, the hands and feet will naturally rotate inward or outward, thus forming a spiral wrapping motion. Using the waist as the axis, with the upper and lower limbs and the trunk, the waist axis is the master, the shape is in the fingertips

From the Tai Chi offensive and defensive point of view, these arc-shaped trajectories all contain changes in illusion and reality, that is, yin and yang, each circle is a Taiji. Tai Chi movement uses the waist as the axis to lead the limbs, thus producing a spiral wrapping circular motion, and the spiral wrapping circular motion is the basic characteristic of Tai Chi movement.

Why do we use the waist in Tai Chi boxing?

In terms of Tai Chi boxing technique, Tai Chi boxing force is silk force, this silk force comes from the rotation of the waist axis leading the limbs to form a spiral wrapping circular motion, when the action opens, extends, solidifies, and exhales to release force, the silk force starts from the rotation of the waist axis, rises to spin the waist and spine, leads to the turning of the upper limbs, and reaches the fingertips; when the action closes, bends, falsifies, and inhales to store force, it reaches the four fingertips of the silk force, and returns to the waist axis.

This has formed 'its root is in the foot, originates in the leg, master in the waist, shape in the finger' overall silk force. Mastering this overall silk force can increase the explosive power and combat power. Using the waist as the axis to lead the limbs, when someone is pushing, can achieve 'not known by me, only I know myself, always in a position of advantage and opportunity.' In other words, always in a advantageous position.

From a fitness perspective, practicing Tai Chi with the waist as the axis can increase the exercise of the spine, can improve the shape of the muscles, vertebrae, ligaments and intervertebral discs around the spine, improve the physiological function of the spine, vertebrae, ligaments and intervertebral discs.

How to use the waist in Tai Chi boxing?

Using the waist in Tai Chi boxing is like a sentence, for beginners of Tai Chi boxing, it is quite difficult. It needs demonstration and teaching, after practicing the movements well, carefully ponder and understand, it is not difficult, remember the principle of 'axis follows the wheel, the axis leads the wheel', and always insist on using the waist as the axis to lead the limbs, then you can learn to use the waist.

The requirements for the waist in Tai Chi boxing are 'sagging, erect, and vertical'. When the waist is sagging and erect, it can strengthen the sacral spine, making it easy to release force, and also helps 'qi sinking into the dantian', preventing qi from rising, and stabilizes the lower limbs, ensuring the flexibility of the waist axis. When the waist spine is vertical, it complements the 'empty leader top force' action, making the waist axis not bent or shaking, but not stiff, making the waist axis flexible and can turn freely. In order to ensure the waist is sagging, erect and vertical, it needs to be combined with the bending of the knees and hips. After the waist posture is correct, it is easier to learn to use the waist.

Learning to use the waist. There are the following methods to reference.

One is to use the rotation along the human vertical axis, the body turns to the left or right, using the waist axis to rotate the limbs together;

Two is to use the rotation along the coronal axis, the body bends forward or backward, using the waist axis to rotate the limbs together;

Three is to use the rotation along the sagittal axis, the body turns to the left or right, using the waist axis to rotate the limbs together;

Four is to combine the rotation along the vertical axis, coronal axis and sagittal axis, the body makes a circular rotation, using the waist axis to rotate the limbs together;

Five is to use the combined rotation of the vertical axis, coronal axis, sagittal axis, the body makes a circular rotation, using the waist axis to rotate the limbs together.

These usages are all done under conscious guidance, with the waist axis as the main, the waist axis is not moving, the limbs are not moving; the waist axis turns and leads the limbs to move, don't rush, gradually move step by step, taking the upper limbs as an example, the waist axis turns, through turning the spine first to reach the shoulder, then to the elbow, then to the wrist, the root, the middle, and the tip all follow a chain-like connected spiral wrapping motion. When extending the arm, the shoulder promotes the elbow, the elbow promotes the hand; when retracting the arm, the shoulder follows the elbow, the elbow follows the hand.

Only when the waist axis leads, the upper and lower limbs and the trunk, the waist axis is the master, the body's various parts' movements can be tightly coordinated, and the whole body can become a 'family', achieving a chain-like overall motion of 'its root is in the foot, originates in the leg, master in the waist, shape in the finger'. Practicing Tai Chi boxing by grasping the principle of using the waist as the axis, and persisting in practice for a long time, can achieve improving the skills of Tai Chi boxing and fitness and cure diseases.