Cheng Man Ching often wrote on how Taijiquan affects various meridans and accu-point in Taijiquan. Bai hui, Yongquan, K-1 (bubbling well at foot) ming men and tan tien are just some he has mentioned in his 13 Chapters.
Xianhao Cheng an Yang stylist from Hangzhou China now in Philadelphia PA translated
a document from China on Taijiquan Health function. He often writes for Tai Chi magazine.
http://www.polariswushu.net/xianhaocheng.htmlTaiji
is a traditional martial art from China. In addition to the efficient
martial art application of this art, the soft, fluent, natural and
elegant movement also allows people to enjoy Taiji as great
entertainment. However, the health benefits of Taiji seem more likely
to be appreciated in modern times because of the unhealthy lifestyles
that often include the abuse of drugs. Because Taiji is an aerobic
exercise, it allows for good and necessary amounts of oxygen intake to
counterbalance our significant consumption of fat. Through this type of
exercise, our bodies become more balanced, therefore being able to stay
healthy and fit as well. Among the various benefits that Taiji provides
to its practitioners, the medical benefits of the different Taiji
postures is information that is not typically understood by most
practitioners. What follows is information about individual postures of
Taiji and the terrific benefits that it can provide to serious Taiji
practitioners.
1. Beginning of Taiji: The soft lifting up and
pushing down of the arms promote the stimulation of the large intestine
and lung meridians and increases the “Qi” flow of the two meridians,
which may prevent or heal the illness in our breathing system and
facial features.
2. Grasp the Sparrow’s Tail: The motion of ward
off, roll-back, press and push increases the toning of the arms. This
posture also promotes stimulation to lung, large intestine, heart,
pericardium and triple warmer (the 6 hand related) meridians, which can
function as a release for the heart and a draining of the lungs of sick
“Qi”. This posture can also help dissolve sluggishness, as well as
nourish the heart and calm the mind. In addition, during the “Push”,
communication between the practitioner’s “Qi” to the earth through the
bubbling well accupoint also plays a role in increasing the strength of
the kidney meridian.
3. Single Whip: As the waist turns left, the
left kidney slightly sinks down and the right one slightly floats up.
This soft motion is excellent for massaging the kidneys. This posture
also exercises the stomach, the urine bladder and the “Ren Ma” and “Du
Ma” meridians. Since the wrist is the spot where most meridians
connect, the Single Whip wrist motion stimulates all the meridians at
the same time, which helps the healthy coordination of the total body
function.
4. Lift Hands: In this posture, one drops the elbows
down, lifts the palms up, balances on the heel and lifts the toe up.
These movements will benefit the heart, stomach, spleen, kidney, urine
bladder, and gall bladder and liver meridians. Specifically, it may
prevent or heal a stomach ache, a full abdomen, spleen weakness,
menstrual abnormality, urination problems, impotence and other related
problems.
5. White Crane Spreads its Wings: This
posture combines an upward warding off, a large downward motion,
distinct and strong waist movements and lifting the body in one fluid
motion. This posture exercises the triple warmer meridian and adjusts
the “Qi” and blood circulation. It functions as cleaning for the liver
and nourishing the lungs, strengthens the stomach and spleen, and calms
the mind as well. The motion in the feet and heels also stimulate the
stomach and liver meridians, which helps to increase one’s vitality.
6.
Brush Knee and Push: This posture emphasizes directing the mind to the
“Laogong” and “Bubbling Well” accu-points. Because of this focus, it
stimulates the lung, heart, pericardium and kidney meridians, which
helps add good health to one’s breathing, nervous system and blood
circulation. It also benefits the health of the urinary system and can
help heal chronic back pain.
7. Playing Guitar: This posture
stimulates the “He Gu” and “Shen Men” accu-points which can help
unblock the Lung, Large Intestine, Small Intestine and Heart meridians,
which in turn promotes healthy functioning of the heart and lungs,
increases the lung capacity, and improves the blood circulation. In
addition, it can also help prevent/heal pain in the neck, shoulder and
back.
8. Ward Off Monkey: During this posture one side of the
waist that steps back feels like it is floating upward, while the other
side, with the substantial step may feel like it is sinking down. This
motion massages one’s kidney which strengthens the kidney function and
benefits the belt, “Ren” and “Du” meridians. It helps the circulation
of “Qi” and the blood circulation so as to be helpful for balancing the
body’s total function
9. Diagonal Flying: In this posture, the
right arm stretches up high while the left arm moves downward. This
forms a posture with a diagonal extended direction, which also extends
the body upward. This allows the release of stale air and the intake of
more fresh air. Thus, it exercises the lung meridian, and improves the
flow of both “Qi” and blood. Because of the focus in the toes, it also
stimulates the three “Ying” and “Yang” meridians of the foot.
10.
Fist Under Elbow: This posture has us dropping the right wrist with the
mind focused on the “Shen men” accu-point, while holding the right fist
inward. This stimulates the meridians linked with the wrists and gets
the “Qi” moving. With the right foot stepping on “Bubbling Well”
accupoint and left foot unsubstantially stepping on the heel with the
toes up, it efficiently exercises the heart, kidney, liver and spleen
meridians, which adjusts and compensates the “Qi” of the heart and
kidney, and also helps the “Qi” pass through the triple warmer
meridian, and strengthens the waist and knee.
11.
Picking Up the Needle From the Sea Bottom: This technique bends the
waist, sinks the “Kua”, and drops the shoulder all at the same time,
which extends and stretches the back muscles on the side of the spine.
In addition, it stimulates the urine bladder, which can improve the
blood circulation and promotes the healthy function of immune system.
12.
Fan Through the Back: The opening and spreading out of the arms to the
opposite directions opens the chest and the lungs, which stimulates the
heart, pericardium and lung meridians. This posture can increase the
lung capacity, raise the heart function, and improve the blood
circulation. In addition, the stepping on the bubbling well accupoint
can strengthen the “Qi” flow in the kidney meridian.
13. Turn
Around and Chop: The turning in this posture flow enables the waist to
loosen and tighten on each side. It exercises the urine bladder, liver
and gall bladder meridians. When loosely holding the fists with middle
fingers lightly pressuring on the “Laogong” accupoint, it stimulates
the pericardium and triple warmer meridians and drains these meridians.
14.
Wave Hands Like Clouds: The smooth turning of the waist to both sides
along with the flowing arm movements exercises the neck, chest and
abdomen muscles in a wide, effective range. This posture stimulates the
related meridians especially “Ren” and “Du” meridians, which improve
the “Qi” and blood circulation to the extremities and internal organs.
This then can help the healing of related conditions such as spinal
pain, nervous system problems, urination problems, and abdomen bloating
or pain.
15. Fair Lady works on the Shuttles: Through the changing
of “substantial” and “unsubstantial” weight distribution of the legs,
the arms turning in different directions, and the distinct waist
motion, this four-sequence posture exercises the muscles and meridians
in head/neck, chest, abdomen, crotch and hip. The smooth contracting
and releasing of muscles stimulate the production of heat and metabolic
chemicals that increases the metabolic rate and activate the body’s
meridians. More important, this motion will also activate the resting
immune cells. Because of the rhythmical turning of the body, it also
stimulates the front chest and causes the stimulation of the chest
gland that can release substantial amount of active immune peptide
compounds. These substances can play a role in the monitoring of
mutation of cells (cancer) and destroying them.
16. High Pat On
The Horse: This technique emphasizes the exercise of the abdomen
muscles. The contraction and release of the abdomen muscles can improve
the blood circulation of the organs in the abdomen area to stimulate
“Qi” in the “Ren” meridian (Reception vessel), kidney and liver
meridians.
17. Separate Legs ( left and right) The movements of
arms and legs in large angles stimulate the twelve hand and leg
meridians. These have certain functions in aiding the healing the
chest, lung, eyes, throat, spleen, stomach, liver and kidney problems.
18.
Turn Around And Kick: This posture stimulates the six (Ying and Yang)
hand and leg meridians and has the same benefits as Separate Legs
(above).
19. Hit The Tiger: The motion of the hands and fingers in
this technique can exercise the twelve hand and leg meridians. In
addition, the stepping on the “Bubbling Well” accu-points and the
rolling on the heels will stimulate the kidney meridian, which will
improve the facial “Qi” and blood circulation. This improved Qi and
Blood circulation can act to produce positive reactions in the brain,
which in turn can depress, or release possible pathological problems
caused by chronic decease and then stimulate healing.
20. Hit The
Ears: The high hitting with fists stimulates the six hand meridians.
The extending and opening of the back muscles stimulate “Ren”, “Du”,
“Belt” and “Chong” meridians and the urine meridian. The solid stepping
on the “Bubbling Well” accu-points helps to strengthen the “Qi” of the
kidney. All of these functions play an excellent role in adjusting the
“Qi” and blood circulation, which benefits the healing and prevention
of urinary and gynecological problems.
21. Kick With Heel: The
smooth and big motion of the leg and arms in an extended range can help
increase the blood circulation in the heart, and air circulation in the
lung. This helps the “Qi” and blood flow fluently, which balances the
internal organs. The arms split apart along with the kicking motion
stretches the tendons and muscles, which is helpful for healing any
damage in the joints and soft tissues.
22. Golden Rooster Stands on
One Leg: Standing on one leg alternately exercises and strengthens the
abdomen muscles, and stimulates the movement of the intestines. These
movements can eliminate extravasated blood, promote good blood
circulation, and regulate the function of the female reproduction
organs. This posture can also help develop a healthy liver, gall
bladder, spleen and eye health.
23. Snake Sticks out Poison
Tongue: The rhythmic turning around exercises the gall bladder, and
liver meridians. In addition, the closing and opening of the palms with
one’s mental intent exercises the pericardium and triple warmer
meridians. The exercise of these meridians has the function of calming
the mind and sharpening the eyes, as well as prevents or heals problems
in the liver, gall bladder, heart and blood system etc.
24. Punch
Downward: This posture puts an emphasis on the alternate substantial
and unsubstantial motion of one’s left and right chest muscles. It
exercises the nervous system along the spine, and stretches the back
muscles. The gall bladder meridian passes through on both sides of the
spine. Stimulation of the gall bladder meridian can raise the body’s
immune ability and heal related organs.
25.
Snake Creeps Down: The opening of the hip ensures the replenishment of
both “Qi” and blood in the abdomen area. Also, this posture allows for
the release of tightness of the spine vertebrae one by one during the
movement. This posture also makes the sacrum fit and loose, and
internal energy pours into “Hui Yin” accu-point, which increases the
“Qi” in “Ren”, “Du” and “Chong” meridians. This posture has the
function of increasing the “Yuan Qi”, and improving kidney function,
which in turn benefits the healing of any problems associated with
urination, semen emission, prostate, hemorrhoids, and a prolapsed anus.
26. Step Up to Form Seven Stars: From Snake Creeps Down to Stepping
up To Form Seven Stars, the internal “Qi” moves from the “Hui Yin” to
“Chang Qiang” accu-points then to the “Bai Hui”accu-point. This posture
strengthens the “Qi” in both the “Ren” and “Du” meridians, which has
the function of releasing excess heat, being good for the brain, and
massaging the liver. In addition, it can lift the internal organs for
those who have internal organs that have dropped down.
27. Step
Back and Ride The Tiger: As the arms form a ring like shape pointing in
opposite directions, the upper body opens and extends, which can
function in regulating the breathing, cleaning the liver and nourishing
the lungs, stomach and spleen. This position of the feet can exercise
the six foot meridians so that it benefits the adjustment of the triple
warmer meridian, and in turn stimulates the circulation of the blood
and causes the muscles and joints to relax.
28. Turn Around With
Lotus Kick: The Lotus Kick allows the abdomen, back and chest muscles
to have a spiral motion, which increases the stimulation of the twelve
hand and leg meridians all at the same time. This benefits the
circulation of blood and “Qi”, in the chest and abdomen, which prevents
or heals any problems with one’s breathing, heart, blood circulation
and nervous systems.
29. Shooting the Tiger: With this posture the
“Baihui” will be up and “Yongquan” down. This technique strengthens the
flow of the internal “Qi” from the “Baihui” to “Yongquan”. It
stimulates the “Du Mai” and kidney meridians. The motion of the coiling
fists and arms will also benefit the heart, small intestine,
pericardium, and trip warmer meridians. According to modern medical
theories, this coiling motion of the arms and wrists can relieve
pressure on the neck arteries which can reduce blood pressure and
expand the coronary arteries.
30. Twist Step and Chop: The coiling
motion of the arms and wrists stimulates the small intestine,
pericardium, heart, stomach, and liver meridians. This is helpful in
healing problems with digestion, rib pain and the problems caused by
these related meridians.
31. Apparent Closing: This posture
stimulates both the “Lao Gong” accu-point (on the middle of palm), and
“Bubbling Well” accu-point (on the bottom of foot). It strengthens the
pericardium and kidney meridians, which is helpful in preventing and
healing problems associated with the heart, blood circulation,
digestion, reproduction and the urinary tract
32. Cross Hands: The
opening and closing of arms in a large range of motion increases the
oxygen intake by the lungs and heart, which also strengthens the
meridians of the heart and lungs. Stepping solid on the “Bubbling Well”
accu-point increases the “Qi” in the kidney meridian. This may
efficiently increase the practitioner’s vitality so as to prevent or
heal problems with the heart, circulation and breathing
33.
Closing of Taiji: The lifting up and letting down of the arms along
with the solid stepping on the “Bubbling Well” acu-points, stimulates
the lung, large intestine and kidney meridians, which increase the “Qi”
flow in these meridians and promotes the health for these meridian
related organs.
The above information indicates the possible
benefits that Taiji may bring to the practitioner. However, it must be
emphasized, that to enjoy these benefits correct practice is very
important. In addition to the Ten Essentials by Yang, Chengfu that we
must strive to adhere to, it may also be helpful to pay more attention
to specific acupuncture points within certain stages of your practice.
In the beginning, for instance, the attempt to focus on “Laogong”
(points on center of palm) may be helpful to loosen the arms and
shoulders and to establish the ability to lead “Qi” to your hands. At
the middle level of practice, the focus on the “Lower Dantain” and the
“Mingmen” areas to activate the waist will be extremely beneficial. The
next focus can be on “Yongquan” (points on bottom of feet) to develop a
solid stance and to be able to direct “Qi” to where you want.
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