13 Tactics
by Dan Docherty
The ancient name for Tai Chi Chuan was the Thirteen Tactics boxing. This referred to the Five Directions and the Eight Powers. Traditionally the Five Directions have been associated with the Five Elements while the Eight Powers have been associated with the Pa Kua or Eight Trigrams.
8 forces
- Peng-upward directed circular force
- Lu-diversion to the side
- Ji-forward directed strike or push
- An-downward directed force
- Cai-uprooting
- Lie-spiralling force (use lu to assist)
- Zhou-use of forearm,elbow,legs(kicks)
- Kao-use of shoulder,body
5 Steps
- Step forward-metal
- Step back-wood
- Centrally fixed-earth
- Face left-water
- Look right-fire