The Seven Layers of Internal Mastery in Tai Chi Practice

Many inquire: What level of mastery marks proficiency in Tai Chi? Yet, among those seasoned in its practice, one would find no voice declaring, “I have perfected my Tai Chi.” Even renowned Tai Chi masters refrain from such assertion. They perceive the fundamental techniques merely as pathways to excellence in Tai Chi, acknowledging the infinite depths awaiting exploration. Diligently, they pursue higher realms of practice, perpetually delving into refined methods to attain elevated states. Grandmaster Yang Chengfu imparted unto us the invaluable fourfold methodology for mastering Tai Chi: solidifying the body to refine essence, refining essence to transform Qi, transforming Qi to cultivate spirit, and cultivating spirit to return to emptiness. These four stages encapsulate the quintessence of Daoist practice. Many find them dauntingly profound, uncertain of where to embark. Hence, I present here the more accessible sevenfold internal cultivation method of the Tang Dynasty Daoist Li Daozi, offering a pathway for Tai Chi aspirants.

The foundational technique: Inverse Abdominal Breathing Method

During the arrangement of the shelf, synchronize the inhalation with the action of contracting the lower abdomen and gently lifting the perineum, allowing the abdomen to naturally relax during exhalation. The guiding principle for coordinating movements with breath is as follows: inhale as you rise, exhale as you descend; inhale as you unite, exhale as you separate; inhale as you withdraw, exhale as you advance; inhale as you flex, exhale as you extend; inhale as you elevate, exhale as you bow. In essence, it entails inhaling to gather the ethereal essence, rising during the withdrawal, arching upwards for consolidation, cultivating the receptive Yin; exhale to disperse the substantial energy, extending during the descent, bowing forward to release, striking the resolute Yang. Once the synchronization of breath with movement becomes natural, one can seamlessly progress to the next layer of the exercise.

The Second Tier Art of Mindfulness, Embracing the Dantian.

During the process of setting up the framework, focus your contemplation at the epigastric region, precisely 1 centimeter below the navel. Maintain a reverse abdominal martial breath until a warmth is sensed within the elixir field. Proceed to the subsequent layer of the cultivation technique thereafter.

The profound artistry of the Third Tier lies in the meticulous observance of the Towering Vigilance Technique.

The locus of intention is situated beneath the throat, approximately one centimeter above the acupoint known as the Heavenly Pillar. Aligned with the ethereal scaffolding, inverse abdominal respiration proceeds in its customary cadence. Respiration should be deliberate and even, extending until the ingress and egress of breath become inaudible, only then may one progress to the subsequent stratum of the cultivation technique.

The Fourth Layer Technique: The Vigilance of Vital Gate Mastery

While arranging the shelf, focus your thoughts behind the navel, facing the Gate of Vitality, until warmth emanates from the abode of the mind, then proceed to the next layer of practice.

The technique of internal rotation within the fifth layer’s Qi center.

This cultivation technique comprises a trifold practice.

Embarking upon the initial phase, sustain the practice of adopting reverse abdominal breathing during the execution of boxing maneuvers. Inhale as the movement unfolds to the left, directing the breath with mental focus. Guide the inner Qi from the lower pubic region, traversing the path akin to the journey of the yin-yang fish, first towards the left, then veering right, concluding the inhalation. Simultaneously, contract the lower abdomen, allowing the diaphragm to naturally descend, and the anal sphincter to subtly contract, akin to withholding a defecatory urge. The Qi converges in the upper portion of the Dantian. Subsequently, exhale gently through the nostrils, guiding the breath with mindfulness. Guide the inner Qi within the abdomen in a gentle leftward arced trajectory, descending in a semi-circle to the pubic bone, releasing the anal sphincter, and allowing the Qi to descend to the lower portion of the Dantian. This process inversely applies when the movement unfolds to the right. Once proficiency is achieved in this step, proceed to the second stage.

In the second stage, irrespective of the direction of movement, as you inhale, the mind travels from the perineum forward and then backward along the route of the Yin-Yang fish, rising to a halt between the navel and the Mingmen point. Upon exhalation, it progresses from this point forward in an arc, passing through the lower dantian to the perineum. Upon the next inhalation, the breath moves backward along the Yin-Yang fish route to the midpoint between the navel and the Mingmen point. Upon exhalation, it moves backward along the arc to the perineum. Mastery of this stage precedes the progression to the third stage.

In the third phase, synchronize your breath as in the initial step, guiding the Qi from the pubic bone to the left, then to the right, following the movement akin to the swimming of a yin-yang fish. With each inhalation, trace a half-circle to the left until reaching the pubic bone; without pause, continue the movement symmetrically. Upon exhalation, trace a half-circle to the right, descending towards the pubic bone. Maintain this seamless flow from left to right, inhaling and exhaling, until the completion of the entire routine.

Behold, the transcendent artistry of the Sixth Stratum’s Dan Tian Respiration Technique.

This breathing technique, known as “ascending upward and descending downward,” involves guiding the qi with the mind and directing it through the body, while keeping the spirit concentrated internally and outwardly displaying tranquility. During inhalation, the qi travels through the three yin channels of the hand and foot, then, with internal visualization, the three yin channels of the hand pass through the celestial pivot and conception vessel, while the three yin channels of the foot converge at the lower dantian below the navel. After inhalation, the qi is directed backward to the mingmen point, the anus is lifted, and there is a slight pause in breathing. During exhalation, the qi ascends through the governing vessel and the da zhui point, traversing the three yang channels of the hand to the fingertips, and descends through the huantiao point, following the three yang channels of the foot to the extremities. Mastery leads to the attainment of the seventh level.

The Seventh Layer of Martial Arts: Circulatory Techniques

Certainly, please provide the text you’d like me to translate and enhance into a more literary and advanced English style. Through the practice of reverse abdominal breathing, inhalation guides the breath from the Yongquan acupoint, passing through the channels of the Foot Three Yin to the perineum. It then traverses the front Yin to the Changqiang and Mingmen points, ascending along the Governing Vessel to Baihui, passing through the celestial eye (upper Dantian), and Xuan Guan. Descending through Zhonglou and Tiantu, it diverges into the Three Yin channels to the Lower Official, progressing through Shaoshang and Shangyang, traversing the Hand Three Yang to Zhonglou and Tiantu along the Conception Vessel. Finally, it descends to the Middle Dantian and Lower Dantian, circumventing the front Yin to the perineum, branching to the Huan Tiao and following the channels of the Foot Three Yang, winding down to the dorsum of the foot and the toes, ultimately reaching the Yongquan acupoint.