The Choice between Standing a Higher or Lower

The Choice between Standing a Higher or  Lower 

 

That’s a really great observation, and it’s definitely a well-known discussion in the Tai Chi community. Essentially, the choice between standing a bit higher or standing lower really comes down to what you’re focusing on in your practice and what you’re training your body to handle.

If you stand a bit higher, it can feel easier on the legs and may allow you to focus more on the subtlety of internal movements, the flow of energy, and refining your structure without putting too much initial strain on your lower body. On the other hand, if you practice in a lower stance, you’re definitely building more leg strength, more rootedness, and you’re also conditioning your body to stay stable and grounded, which can be really useful for issuing power from a very solid foundation.

In the end, both approaches have their value. It just depends on what aspect of your Tai Chi you want to emphasize at a given time—whether it’s internal energy flow and relaxation or building strong legs and stable structure.