The Wudang Taichi 13 Forms is revered as the "Mother of Taichi" or the "Origin of Taichi." It is one of the most core and fundamental practices within Wudang's internal martial arts. Unlike the more widely known Chen or Yang style Taichi forms, it places greater emphasis on internal energy cultivation and the comprehension of the core philosophy of Taichi.
Main Characteristics
1. Emphasis on Internal, Not External: It prioritizes the practice of intention, breath, and internal energy pathways over the external aesthetics of the movements. It seeks to "use intention to lead the energy, and use energy to move the body."
2. Using Softness to Overcome Hardness: The movements are soft, slow, and continuous. It does not use brute force to resist, but instead emphasizes "yielding to the opponent" and using their force against them.
3. Health Preservation as the Core: The coordination of slow, deep breathing with movement effectively regulates Qi and blood, unblocks the meridians, and balances Yin and Yang, giving it immense health and wellness value.
4. Unity of Theory and Application: "Theory" refers to health preservation, while "Application" refers to self-defense. Each of the thirteen jin techniques contains profound martial applications and forms the foundation of the art.
5. Following the Way of Nature: The movements are designed in accordance with the human body's structure and emulate the laws of nature—flowing like moving clouds and running water, continuous and uninterrupted.
13 forms
1. Starting Form (Qi shi)
2. Holding Ball Form (Baoqiu Shi)
3. Single Push Form (Dan Tui Shi)
4. Exploring Form (Tan Shi)
5. Supporting Form (Tuo Shi)
6. Pouncing Form (Pu Shi)
7. Shouldering Form (Dan Shi)
8. Parting Form (Fen Shi)
9. Cloud Form (Yun Shi)
10. Reversed Cloud Form (Hua Shi)
11. Double Push Form (Shuang Tui Shi)
12. Step Down Form (Xia Shi)
13. Closing Form (Shou Shi)
Each form contains transitions between multiple jin techniques and stepping methods, requiring repeated practice to appreciate its subtleties.
Stages of Practice and Benefits
· Beginner Stage: Learning the external form, memorizing the sequence, and achieving correct postural alignment.
· Intermediate Stage: Coordinating breath with movement, achieving "intention and energy working together," and experiencing the sensations of relaxation, sinking, and jin transformation within the movements.
· Advanced Stage: Achieving complete integration and "harmony of form and spirit." Every movement involves the whole body, and the principles of the 13 Forms are applied effortlessly.
Key Benefits
· Health Improvement: Enhances cardiovascular function, flexibility, balance, and the immune system.
· Cultivation of Mind and Character: Relieves mental stress and cultivates a peaceful, focused state of mind.
· Understanding Traditional Culture: It is a "moving meditation" for comprehending Daoist philosophy and the theory of Yin-Yang and the Five Elements.
· Self-Defense: Provides understanding of fundamental energy application and martial principles.
Summary
Wudang Taichi 13 Forms is not merely a set of exercises; it is a profound philosophy of the body. It serves both as the foundational stepping stone into Taichi and the highest ladder to mastery. Through practicing 13 Forms, students can gradually enter the gate of traditional Chinese internal arts, seeking harmony and unity of body and mind through the interplay of movement and stillness, and the mutual complementation of Yin and Yang.