Wayne's Blog
Here is an English explanation of Sifu Chen's teaching, with key Chinese terms placed next to their English counterparts for clarity and deeper understanding:
When you practice Tai Chi (太極拳 Tàijíquán), you must enter a calm and quiet state. Sifu Chen emphasizes:
“心鬆 (xīn sōng), 體鬆 (tǐ sōng), 頭腦放空 (tóunǎo fàngkōng)”
This means:
Let the mind relax (心鬆 xīn sōng),
Let the body relax (體鬆 tǐ sōng),
And empty the mind (頭腦放空 tóunǎo fàngkōng).
When your body is calm and still, the whole body (全身 quánshēn) must be relaxed (放鬆 fàngsōng).
In push hands (推手 tuīshǒu), if you are not relaxed (不鬆 bù sōng), your body becomes stiff (僵硬 jiāngyìng).
If you are not relaxed, then jin (勁 jìn – internal power) cannot be transmitted.
If you are not relaxed, your jin (勁) cannot rise from the feet (腳 jiǎo).
If your kua (胯 kuà – hips) is not relaxed, energy gets stuck at the hips.
If your elbow (肘 zhǒu) is not relaxed, the energy gets stuck at the elbow.
So we must always pay attention to the principles of:
Calm (靜 jìng), Relaxed (鬆 sōng), Sinking (沉 chén), and Stability (穩 wěn).
If you don’t practice these well, then even if your mind understands (頭腦明白 tóunǎo míngbái), your body does not (身體不明白 shēntǐ bù míngbái).
Therefore, all nine major joints (九大關節 jiǔ dà guānjié) must be trained to relax.
Only when you achieve deep relaxation (鬆 sōng) can qi (氣 qì) circulate throughout the body (氣遍周 qì biàn zhōu).
When the whole body is no longer rushing or tense, you can reach the state of:
Relaxed (鬆 sōng), Open (通 tōng), and Empty (空 kōng).
At this point, your hands are empty (手空 shǒu kōng),
your feet are empty (腳空 jiǎo kōng),
your whole body is emptied out (全身放空 quánshēn fàngkōng).
And then, you will feel fully comfortable and at ease (全身舒暢 quánshēn shūchàng).
Don’t overthink (不要想太多 bùyào xiǎng tài duō).
When the mind is empty (空 kōng),
then something real (東西 dōngxī) will naturally arise within.
This teaching encapsulates both the physical principles of relaxation and internal connection, and the mental-spiritual aspect of letting go to access deeper layers of Tai Chi.
July 13 ,2025 Sunday in Taipei
Wayne's Blog # 16
Sifu Chen explained deeper details on the Song Gong loosening exercises today morning,
including #4
He made some corrections to the tai chi form set. Applying & reinforcing these changes I could feel a big difference.
****Song Gong Loosening Exercises
#5 Song Gong is called
“ internally Opening & Gathering “
All the other 7 loosening exercises have open & gather element, too.
What Sifu Chen clearly explained today was each time you inside open & your arms expand into a circle , you are actually releasing energy through your bubbling well to develop deeper rooting.
When you make the internal connection of open inside, and that will help you to root , you will get to know this feeling.
Your awareness that you are developing rooting in song gong loosening exercise will increase as you practice becomes more familiar and deeper
#4 loosening exercise cultivation of the rolling 8 ball - waist , Chen shared - have a supple waist & create more space as you energetic elongate your top upper body and lower body , becoming aware your center line energy as you create space & elongate. As long as you direct your Chi energy to the foot ( general ) , then your waist - commander can be a supple rolling 8 ball
“ During the Tai Chi Set practice you are constantly opening & gathering , means you are also constantly rooting,” Chen said.
He demonstrated today his ability to internally open and you can not penetrate his Zhong Ding & balance . Important to realize this option especially during partne drills
*****Tai Chi Set Corrections
1 Remind upright
2 maintain shoulder width between
both foots when Stepping out
3 Keep tail bone slightly tucked in
4 maintain Mind & chi behind the
Movements
5 Recognize Yin Yang in all the
Movements
6 Maintain focus to have no
separation
7 let your body , not your arms ,
lead the movements
8 do the set slow to learn “ Ting Ging “ , listening to Energy flowing
9. You are spiraling 🌀 internally
In Summary , hope that answers your question Paul - yes, you are creating more space in the back internally on #4 when elongating.
You are able to create more space in your back because you are directing all the energy to your foot in the beginning.
The few corrections Sifu Chen made on my Tai Chi Se has made a big difference on the internal feeling for me. I will continue to apply these changes going forward.
Wayne
Arm Bridge Tai Chi
July 13, 2025 Sunday in Taipei
Wayne's Blog # 16
Website
https://sites.google.com/view/armbridge-tai-chi/home
July 21-2025 Monday in Taipei
Wayne's Blog # 23
Here is Bob’s question :
“ Wayne - if you get the chance would you ask Sifu Chen what is his understanding of a person reaching “Tong Chi” in Tai Chi? How does one achieve it? “
Today Monday morning I asked Sifu Chen his description and experience on internal system aka Nei Gong
“ Tong Chi .”
Here is a brief translation on the video captured today :
“ Tong Chi are your joints all open and Song. His hand 🤚 showing a 90 degree , a corner where Chi flow is blocked. Like water passing through clear pipes. Once a joint is stiff / closed will affect rest of your body joints. Tong is not simply relax & do nothing, because your internal structure will collapse. A strong mind intention will stiffen your joints thus no Tong in your body…..
Daily practice of Song Gong loosening exercises and tai chi form will develop Tong ,” said Sifu Chen
At Arm Bridge Tai Chi in person classes, we practice many choreograph, partner drills to cultivate “ Tong “
Because there is an incoming force, it is very easy for your mind to process & thinking too much causing Tong to stiffen up. Partner drills are done slow to help the individual learn to feel , listen and understand ( FLU ) of Energy ; therefore , helping you to develop better Tong access
To understand Tong one needs to learn and develop Song. In fact , they go hand in hand 🤚
When you are Song , you are releasing Energy, releasing from top to bottom of your body as your joints are open causing proper energy alignment ( PEA ) which is a Tong quality
Unfortunately tong is quality that not many people understand due to how we practice, engage in push hands and the misguided competitiveness of winning and losing.
Typical push hands play there is way too much “ force, resistance, clutter mind , tension,” ( FRCT)
These are all mal qualities that will affect your Tong development
How & where do start to learn Tong ?
Daily Song Gong loosening exercises is an intelligent choice to develop Song and Tong. These exercises were created by grand Masters to help you with a strong foundation in the internal systems aka Nei Gong
I have said many times these exercises are done externally in the beginning, but through consistent practice, you will become more familiar & comfortable, ultimately applying the principles of Nei Gong to your movements.
Trust in the process , be determined in your goals , & need “ time “ to lean anything of quality. No short cuts but enjoy the journey.
All tai chi forms are good because they are guided by the tai chi classics that describe the principles and foundation. Daily Tai Chi Form practice will 💯 percent develop Tong because of application tools such as :
The 5Rs
SOS : soft, Open, Supple
Cop: consistency of pressure
GOES Gentle, Open, Even, Supple
OARR
FLU: feel, listen and understand
CCCOARR
General-Commander
The Gift 🎁
All these acronyms at Arm Bridge Tai Chi serves as a way to guide you into the internal system correct direction.
In summary, Tong is internal quality often associated with both Song and Emptiness. It is not a quality that serves on its own .
When you feel Tong , you will also feel Song. When you have Song and Tong , you will develop Rooting
Important to practice Daily Arm Bridge Stance , Song gong , Tai Chi , Meditation walking, two person partner drills to help you with the development of Tong
Take notes that these daily blogs do not serve as a compressive guide to a particular subject, but provides a solid foundation.
Wayne
Arm Bridge Tai Chi
July 21, 2025 Monday In Taipei
Wayne's Blog # 23
Website
https://sites.google.com/view/armbridge-tai-chi/home