內外雙修, 內三合, 外三合

內外雙修, 內三合, 外三合

1. 內外雙修 (Nèi Wài Shuāng Xiū — Cultivating Both Internally and Externally)

• Meaning:
  “Internal and external cultivation together.”
  In Tai Chi, this means training internal aspects (mind, breath, qi, intention) and external aspects (body mechanics, form, posture, physical strength) at the same time.

• Why it matters:

  • Internal work without physical skill = empty theory.

  • Physical skill without internal work = external performance only.

  • Tai Chi’s power and health benefits come from the integration.

• Example in practice:

  • While moving through “Brush Knee,” you keep external alignment (head upright, spine vertical, kua open) and internal intention (qi sinking to dantian, yi leading movement).

  • Breathing, mind-intent, and body movement are inseparable.

• Classical tie-in:

  “內外相合，氣貫於身。” (Internal and external are in harmony, qi flows through the body.)

---

2. 內三合 (Nèi Sān Hé — Three Internal Harmonies)

These describe how the mind, intention, and energy connect in Tai Chi’s internal training:

1. 心與意合 — The heart/mind (心) unites with the intention (意).

   • Emotion and thought align — calm heart, focused intent.

2. 意與氣合 — The intention unites with the qi (氣).

   • Your mental direction guides the movement of qi.

3. 氣與力合 — The qi unites with the strength/force (力).

   • Qi transforms into physical power, expressed naturally without stiffness.

In Tai Chi terms:

Your emotional state → determines your mental focus → directs your qi flow → transforms into relaxed, whole-body power.

---

3. 外三合 (Wài Sān Hé — Three External Harmonies)

These describe how the body’s external parts coordinate:

1. 肩與胯合 — Shoulders align with hips (kua).

   • Upper body connects to lower body through the torso rotation.

2. 肘與膝合 — Elbows align with knees.

   • Keeps limb movement coordinated with stance and step.

3. 手與足合 — Hands align with feet.

   • Hand techniques are supported by footwork and root.

In Tai Chi terms:

If the hand moves, the foot supports; if the elbow sinks, the knee follows; if the shoulder turns, the hip rotates — producing whole-body integration.

---

Putting Them Together

• 內外雙修 is the overall principle — work on the inside and outside together.

• 內三合 ensures the internal unity of mind → qi → power.

• 外三合 ensures the external unity of upper and lower body mechanics.

• When both are present, Tai Chi achieves its hallmark of “whole body as one” (全身一家).

---

Example for Judges or Students

In Tai Chi competition or training, if a player’s movements look beautiful but the breath and intention are disconnected, they only have the 外 (external). If the mind and qi are alive but the limbs move out of sync, they only have the 內 (internal). True skill requires 內外雙修 — the internal harmonies guiding the external harmonies — so that every motion is alive, integrated, and full of jin (勁).