Peng is the buoyant, outward-filling energy that keeps the arms rounded and the whole frame springy, like a ball pumped full of air. It is not a push: it is the structure that meets an incoming force and neither collapses nor stiffens. Teachers say peng should be present in every posture, which is why it comes first of the eight.

In the form: Ward Off left and right at the start of Grasp Sparrow's Tail (攬雀尾); the rounded arms of Single Whip and Brush Knee.

掤勁義何解？如水負行舟。

“What is the meaning of ward-off energy? It is like water bearing up a moving boat.”

Song of the Eight Methods

▶Energies of Tai Chi 1: Peng JinKen Gullette▶The Yang style Ward OffOld Pueblo Tai Chi

Lu yields. It sticks to an incoming force, turns the waist and draws the force past you and slightly down, so that it lands on nothing. The hands do little; the turn of the waist and the settling of weight into the back leg do the work.

In the form: Roll Back in Grasp Sparrow's Tail; the drawing back in Repulse Monkey.

捋勁義何解？引導使之前。

“What is the meaning of roll-back energy? It leads the opponent forward.”

Song of the Eight Methods

▶Energies of Tai Chi 2: Lu JinKen Gullette▶Tai Chi RollbackPhoenix Mountain Tai Chi

Ji joins the two hands, one pressing the wrist or forearm of the other, and sends a short, compact force forward from the legs and waist. It often follows roll back, once the opponent has been drawn off balance.

In the form: Press in Grasp Sparrow's Tail.

擠勁義何解？用時有兩方。

“What is the meaning of press energy? In use it works in two ways.”

Song of the Eight Methods

▶Energies of Tai Chi 3: Ji JinKen Gullette▶The hidden power of JiInternal Tai Chi

An sinks first, then rises and pushes forward, like a wave. It is often taught as a two-handed push, but the classics describe a flowing force that fills whatever gaps it finds, as water does.

In the form: Push at the end of Grasp Sparrow's Tail; Apparent Close-up (如封似閉).

按勁義何解？運用似水行。

“What is the meaning of push energy? It is used like flowing water.”

Song of the Eight Methods

▶Energies of Tai Chi 4: An JinKen Gullette▶Push energyMark Rasmus

Cai is a sudden downward pull that catches a wrist or elbow and takes the opponent's balance down and in, like plucking fruit from a branch.

In the form: Needle at Sea Bottom (海底針).

採勁義何解？如權之引衡。

“What is the meaning of pluck energy? It is like the weight sliding along a steelyard beam.”

Song of the Eight Methods

▶Energies of Tai Chi 6: Cai JinKen Gullette▶Cai, Lie, Zhou and KaoChristie Chen

Lie uses two forces in opposite directions at once, one part of the body going one way and another part the other, so that an opponent is turned or spun off their line.

In the form: Diagonal Flying (斜飛勢); Part the Wild Horse's Mane.

挒勁義何解？旋轉若飛輪。

“What is the meaning of split energy? It spins like a flying wheel.”

Song of the Eight Methods

▶Energies of Tai Chi 5: Lie JinKen Gullette▶Splitting energyInternal Tai Chi

Zhou is the elbow at close range: when the hands are too close to use, the elbow strikes, presses or turns. Many teachers stress that it is just as much about using the elbow to steer and control as to hit.

In the form: Fist Under Elbow (肘底看捶); the turning elbow in Deflect, Parry and Punch.

肘勁義何解？方法有五行。

“What is the meaning of elbow energy? Its methods follow the five phases.”

Song of the Eight Methods

▶Energies of Tai Chi 7: Zhou JinKen Gullette▶Zhou is not just an elbow strikePhoenix Mountain Tai Chi

Kao is the closest range of all: once hands and elbows have been passed, the shoulder, back or hip leans into the opponent with the whole body's weight behind it.

In the form: Shoulder Stroke (肩靠), after Raise Hands.

靠勁義何解？其法分肩背。

“What is the meaning of lean energy? Its method divides into shoulder and back.”

Song of the Eight Methods

▶Energies of Tai Chi 8: Kao JinKen Gullette▶Kao is more than a shoulder strikePhoenix Mountain Tai Chi

Stepping forward. The heel touches down empty and light, and only then does the weight flow into the front leg, so the step never lands heavily or commits too early.

In the form: Brush Knee and Twist Step (摟膝拗步); Step Forward, Deflect, Parry and Punch.

邁步如貓行，運勁如抽絲。

“Step as a cat walks; move your strength as if drawing silk from a cocoon.”

Mental Elucidation of the Thirteen Postures

Stepping back without losing the root. The toe touches first, the weight settles, and the retreat is used to draw an opponent in rather than to run away.

In the form: Repulse Monkey (倒攆猴).

往復須有摺疊，進退須有轉換。

“Going and returning need folding; advancing and retreating need turning.”

Mental Elucidation of the Thirteen Postures

Gu means to attend or look after. It is attention and movement to the left that stays connected to the centre, never reaching out of balance.

In the form: Cloud Hands (雲手) moving sideways; the turn to the left into Single Whip.

左重則左虛，右重則右杳。

“If weight comes on the left, the left empties; if on the right, the right vanishes.”

Treatise on Taijiquan, Wang Zongyue

Pan means to gaze or look out for: attention and movement to the right, the partner of gu. Together they train the eyes and spirit to lead each turn.

In the form: Fair Lady Works the Shuttles (玉女穿梭) to the four corners; turning right in Cloud Hands.

仰之則彌高，俯之則彌深。

“Look up and it is higher still; look down and it is deeper still.”

Treatise on Taijiquan, Wang Zongyue

Zhong ding is the steady centre the other twelve turn around: the body upright and relaxed, the weight settled, able to move in any direction without leaning. Many teachers count it the most important of the thirteen.

In the form: Every posture; it is easiest to feel in standing (Wuji), Single Whip and Golden Rooster Stands on One Leg (金雞獨立).

立身須中正安舒，支撐八面。

“Stand centred, upright and at ease, able to brace all eight directions.”

Mental Elucidation of the Thirteen Postures

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