TAI CHI DANCE OF THE PEACEFUL WARRIOR by DAVE WEST Copyright 2010 www.taichibali.com ‐164‐
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
AN: downward pushing energy; pushing power coming from legs pushing into the earth.
BAGUA: See PA KUA
CHANG SAN-FENG: mythical Shaolin monk and Tai Chi Master regarded as the creator of
Tai Chi from a vision where soft/yeilding overcomes hard/strong, (14
th
century A.D.)
CHENG MAN-CHING: physician, poet, author and renowned master of Tai Chi Chuan,
student of Yang Cheng-fu; spread Tai Chi throughout USA and the world (1902-1975 A.D.)
CHEN WANG-TING: Ming Dynasty general and legendary Tai Chi master; creator of the
Chen
style of Tai Chi by combining Shaolin, Daoyin, Qijiguang and Jingluo, (1580-1660 A.D.)
CHI: energy of life, universal healing energy, life force, force that fills the universe,
animating energy in life, force that binds matter together and connects all that exists; also
known as Qi in China, Ki in Japan and Prana in yoga
CHI KUNG, (QIGONG): energy exercises for internal strength; natural healing system
originating in China around 5,000 B.C. to balance internal energy, promoting vitality, mind
expansion and spiritual cultivation; component of Traditional Chinese Medicine
CHUANG TZU: legendary founder of Taoism and opposer of Confuscius;
(300 B.C.)
CONFUSIUS (KUNG FU TZU): China’s greatest philosopher and teacher (551-479 B.C.)
CONTEMPLATION MEDITATION: technique exploring the meaning of nature, spiritual
instruction/text, becoming deeply acquainted with it causing a specific state of mind to arise
DAN TIEN: elixir of life; chi stored in the abdomen (Lower Dan Tien), solar plexus/heart
(Middle Dan Tien), mid-brain (Upper Dan Tien)
EIGTH PIECES OF BROCADE, (BA DUAN JIN): popular Chi Kung set from ancient China.
Eight healing exercises created by Marshal Yue Fei (1127-1279 A.D.) to improve the health
and vitality of his sodiers
EIGHT GATES, (PA KENG): eight energies; Ward Off, Roll Back, Press, Push, Split, Pluck,
Shoulder Strike, Elbow Strike: 8 Tai Chi forms based on energy changes in the Pa Kua; from
the Thirteen Original Postures containing the essential movements of Tai Chi Chuan
FIVE ANIMALS EXERCISES, (WU QIN XI): 2,000 years old medical Chi Kung set created in
the Han Dynasty by Hau Tuo (1
st
century A.D.) imitating the movements and spirit of the
Crane, Bear, Deer, Tiger, and Monkey to build inner strength, vitality and longevity
FIVE ELEMENTS, (WU XING): philosophy of Tao sub-dividing Yin and Yang into five basic
elements: earth, wood, fire, water, metal, the Five Elements are always changing and
transforming, supporting and destroying each other
FIVE STEPS, (FIVE GATES): Advance, Retreat, Gaze Left, Gaze Right, Central Equilibium;
The five directional movements from the Original Thirteen Postures of Chang San-Feng
relating to five elemental phases of change
FORMS, (SOLO FORMS, HAND FORMS): a series of slow rhythmic and harmonic body
movements with great emphasis on posture and balance, based on the study of animal
movements and the concept of Yin and Yang; originally developed as a martial art but
were quickly recognized as being beneficial to the body and mind; often practised soley for
health as well as self-defense; each form is practised over and over again until perfected; the
ancient masters used to hold each form for 20 slow abdominal breaths (Lower Dan Tien
Meditation )in order to fully understand the depth of each energy, trigram and movement,
forms are then linked together with transitions or linking steps to create a recognisable
sequence. Each form is integrated into an overall sequence of precise, controlled
movements. Solo Forms promote health in a relaxed manner without jarring or hurting
one's body, requiring a high degree of concentration with the mind free of distractions
FOUR CARDINAL DIRECTIONS (SI ZHENG): the four basic directions in Pa Kua, North
South East and West from which the four cardinal energies Peng, Lu, Ji, An are derived.
FOUR CORE MOVEMENTS, (GRASP THE BIRDS’S TAIL): four fundamental moves found in
all style as Tai Chi: Ward Off; Roll Back; Press; Push and their corresponding internal