Tai Chi, a traditional Chinese health-preserving exercise, combines the changes of Yin Yang and the Five Elements in Yijing with the characteristics of both internal and external cultivation and the combination of hardness and softness. It can regulate the Ren and Du meridians, kidney meridian, liver meridian, gallbladder meridian, heart meridian, and bladder meridian. The following is a detailed introduction.
Tai Chi regulates the Ren and Du meridians-rubbing the ball with both hands
Traditional Chinese medicine says that Qi promotes blood circulation. When doing the action of rubbing the ball with both hands, use consciousness and posture to guide and open the Ren and Du meridians.
Point 1: Elbows are round like holding a ball
The hand movement is similar to pressing a big ball on the water. The hands and shoulders should be spread out, the elbows should be horizontal, and the middle fingers should be slightly forward. When doing this action, you should find the feeling of the human body floating in the water.
Point 2: The legs are like a bow, and the virtual and real should be clear
The leg movement is not completely a bow step, and the virtual and real should be clear. When sitting down, it is virtual, and when doing a bow step forward, it is real. At the same time, cooperate with the hand movement.
Tai Chi regulates the kidney meridian — Vajra pounding pestle
The action of Vajra pounding pestle can pull the kidney meridian and bladder meridian, so that the qi and blood of the kidney meridian are filled up.
Key point 1: Naturally lift the knee and turn it up and down
Natural knee lift means that when you lift the knee, you feel as if something is pulling it, and the action is natural; turning up and down means lifting the hand, pausing for a moment, and then turning it up and down.
Key point 2: Pounding pestle loosens the waist and restrains the spirit
Pounding pestle means that after lifting the hand, it is smashed down. Loose waist means that the waist should be loosened when shaking the foot, and at the same time, it should be kept straight and not tilted. Containing spirit means that the eyes should not look around during practice, and the spirit and qi should be restrained, and the mind should be focused on Dantian.
Tai Chi regulates the liver meridian — Cloud Hand
The action of Cloud Hand can soothe the heart and relieve the liver. The liver should be relieved and not stagnant.
Key point 1: Hands and feet are coordinated
When doing the Cloud Hand action, the key is the movement of the hands and feet. The hands and feet should be coordinated, and the hands and feet should also be there.
Point 2: Follow up and down
Follow up and down means to lead the elbow and arm with the waist as the axis and conduct with the feet.
Tai Chi regulates the gallbladder meridian—middle plate
When practicing the middle plate, you must first be quiet and relax your body, so that it is loose but not slack, tight but not stiff, which can stretch the gallbladder meridian.
Point 1: Seek the center of the middle plate
This move requires the body to remain in the center. Even when moving, you must seek straightness in the curve to stretch the gallbladder meridian.
Point 2: Turn the waist, lift the legs, and shake the feet lightly
Turning the waist while lifting the legs, and then shaking the feet can dredge the gallbladder meridian. When shaking the feet, the soles of the feet are slightly inward, and the soles and heels of the feet land at the same time, and the stomping sound is muffled.
Tai Chi regulates the heart meridian wild horse splitting mane
The action of the wild horse splitting mane can stretch the heart meridian between stretching and shrinking.
Point 1: Spread the mane by crossing the left and right hands
While taking a false step, cross the left hand diagonally downward, and slightly collapse the waist to stretch the tendons and veins. Then stretch your foot forward, touch the ground with your heel, and slowly land on the ground. Then separate your hair and look back. Do the same with your right hand. Pay attention to making a palm with your hand and retracting your fingers.
Point 2: Gently stretch your legs and arms
When stepping, do not smash down, but gently stretch out to train leg strength. When crossing your hands, slightly stretch your arms, and pull your left and right hands to stretch. Pay attention to hanging your head and keeping your body upright.
Tai Chi regulates the bladder meridian–climbing the foot with one hand
Climbing the foot with one hand is a basic skill in Tai Chi. This action can clear all the meridians of the bladder meridian. If the bladder meridian is blocked, it will involve many diseases in the body, such as back pain, leg pain, frequent urination, dizziness, etc.
Point 1: Hands and feet are coordinated
When the hand returns, the foot also returns, and the hand is extended at the same time.
Point 2: Use the heel to lift the toes
Stretch out the heel of one foot, slightly lift the foot, and then buckle the foot. At this time, move your hands down to your feet, then step forward and retract your feet, which can help stretch the bladder meridian.