Most tai chi students eventually ask the question: “If I am supposed to relax and not use muscular force, then where does power come from?” The answer is neither simple nor straightforward because many factors contribute to internal power. However, one of the most important is the sinking of the elbows. Most students sink their elbows but not deeply enough to establish a strong connection to the legs, and as a result they unconsciously resort to muscular force. In this article we will explore...

The concept of "give and take" is familiar to everyone. However, most may not realize how vital this relationship is to the process of continued survival. Giving and receiving is a universal law expressing the physical manifestation of the principle of yin and yang. Receiving embodies yin, giving expresses yang. If there is not a mutual relationship between giving and receiving, things cannot exist. Absolutely everything as we know it embodies this law. When giving and receiving are...

I recently saw a post on Facebook asking: “I’ve read that Peng will not arise by itself - you must be led to it. But my school says Taijiquan is natural and can be discovered in the world around us. So, which is true?” This raises an important question: Can Tai Chi be learned “naturally” through enough repetition, or must we work at it deliberately? From my experience, Peng Jin does not arise on its own. It must be cultivated—patiently, consciously, and with a great deal of diligent...