WTCCF 13-Posture Tai Chi Chuan: Complete Sequence from Start to Finish

Preparation Form（預備勢）

Stand upright, feet together, with the toes turned outward 30 degrees.

身體站立，兩腳併攏，兩腳尖外分30度。

Relax the knees and allow the legs to extend naturally.

兩腿鬆膝，自然伸直。

Relax the head and neck, keeping them naturally upright. Look straight ahead.

頭頸鬆靈，正直自然，兩眼平視。

Relax the entire body and calm the mind.

全身放鬆，精神安定。

Lift the crown of the head (虛靈頂勁) and slightly tuck in the chin.

虛靈頂勁，微收下顎。

Gather the mind inward.

宜內斂。

Let both arms hang naturally beside the thighs, with the palms facing the thighs and the fingers slightly curved (naturally relaxed).

兩臂下垂於大腿外側，手心向大腿，手指微屈（自然放鬆）。

Rest the tongue lightly against the upper palate and keep the mind focused on the Dantian.

舌抵上顎，意守丹田。

13 式 Threading-arm (穿臂) followed by Wiping-arm (抹臂) and Push

13 式 Threading-arm (穿臂) followed by Wiping-arm (抹臂) and Push

Threading-arm (穿臂) followed by Wiping-arm (抹臂) is a very logical sequence in Taijiquan application.

Sequence

1. Threading-arm (穿臂)

Enter through the opponent's guard.
Occupy the Centerline (中線).
Establish Contact (接觸) and Bridge (搭橋).
Shorten the distance.

Purpose: Enter (入門) and gain a superior position.

2. Wiping-arm (抹臂)

After entering, if the opponent's other arm blocks or resists, slide or wipe (抹) along the arm.
Redirect (引化) or clear (清除) the obstruction.
Control the opponent's arm without using brute force.

Purpose: Clear (清除) the defense while maintaining Adherence (黏).

3. Press (按)

Once the path is open, issue Press (按勁).
The power comes from Whole-body Power (整體勁):
- Ground Force (蹬地)
- Kua (胯)
- Dantian (丹田)
- Spine (脊柱)
- Hands merely transmit the force.

Why use 穿臂 → 抹臂?

Because Threading (穿) gains the inside position, while Wiping (抹) removes the remaining obstacle.

It follows the tactical principle:

Enter (穿) → Clear (抹) → Issue Force (按)
入門 → 清除 → 發勁

Can the order be reversed?

Yes.

Sometimes the opponent's arm blocks your entry. In that case, you may:

Wipe (抹) → Thread (穿) → Press (按)

or even

Thread (穿) → Press (按)

if the centerline is already open.

Taiji Principle (太極原理)

There is no fixed sequence (無定法).

The order depends on:

The opponent's force (來勁)
The opening (空隙)
The centerline (中線)
The timing (時機)

This reflects the Taiji principle of "changing according to the opponent" (因敵變化) rather than following a predetermined pattern.

Lü (捋) — Roll Back（捋）

Definition（定義）

Lü (捋) is one of the Four Primary Energies (四正勁) in Tai Chi.

It is not simply "pulling."

Instead, it means:

Receive incoming force.
Adhere to the opponent.
Guide the force along a curved path.
Lead it into emptiness.
Maintain continuous contact without resisting.

The opponent loses balance because you remove his support rather than overpowering him.

Tai Chi Classics（太極拳論）

The classics repeatedly emphasize the principles behind Lü.

"Neither resist nor let go."

不丟不頂

This is perhaps the most important principle of Lü.

Do not push against the opponent.
Do not lose contact.
Stay connected throughout the movement.

"Lead into emptiness."

引進落空

This describes the essential function of Lü.

Instead of stopping force,

you redirect it,

allowing the opponent to continue moving beyond his own center.

"Four ounces deflect one thousand pounds."

四兩撥千斤

Lü is the clearest expression of this principle.

Rather than matching force with force,

small rotational changes redirect much larger forces.

Biomechanics（生物力學）

Lü is produced by the whole body.

The hands merely transmit the movement.

The sequence is:

Ground Reaction Force（地面反作用力）↓

Feet（腳）↓

Legs（腿）↓

Kua Rotation（胯旋）↓

Waist Rotation（腰旋）↓

Spine（脊柱）↓

Shoulders（肩）↓

Arms（手臂）↓

Hands（雙手）

The hands never pull independently.

Mechanical Characteristics（力學特性）

Lü converts:

Linear Force（直線力）

into

Circular Force（圓弧力）

through

Spiral Rotation（螺旋旋轉）

Instead of opposing the opponent's momentum,

you change its direction.

Body Method（身法）

During Lü:

Relax the shoulders（鬆肩）
Sink the elbows（沉肘）
Rotate the waist（轉腰）
Open and close the kua（開合胯）
Maintain central equilibrium（中定）
Keep the root（落根）

The movement originates in the feet,

not the arms.

The Ancient Character 𢳋 (Hand Radical + 屢)

Many ancient manuals use another character, often written as 𢳋 (hand radical + 屢), instead of 捋.

Although pronounced similarly, the emphasis is slightly different.

Meaning

The ancient character emphasizes

stroking, smoothing, brushing along, or following continuously.

It suggests:

Following the opponent's force.
Maintaining adhesion.
Sliding without interruption.
Continuous yielding.

It stresses continuity more than pulling.

Difference Between 捋 and 𢳋

捋	𢳋 (手+屢)
Roll Back	Continuous Following
Redirect force	Maintain continuous contact
Curved redirection	Sliding along the opponent
Technique	Method of sticking
One of the Eight Energies	Describes the quality of movement

One could say:

捋 describes the Jin (energy).

while

𢳋 describes the method of applying that Jin.

Relationship with Peng（掤）

Peng expands.

Lü receives.

Peng creates structure.

Lü removes structure.

Peng fills.

Lü empties.

The two are inseparable.

The Tai Chi Classics say:

"Peng, Lü, Ji, and An must be understood thoroughly."

Without Peng,

there is no stable Lü.

Without Lü,

Peng becomes rigid.

Teaching Explanation（教學說明）

"Lü is not a pull. It is a whole-body spiral redirection. By maintaining adhesion through continuous contact, the practitioner uses waist rotation, kua rotation, and ground reaction force to guide the opponent's incoming force into emptiness. The hands merely transmit the movement; the power originates from the feet, is controlled by the waist, and is expressed through the hands. The ancient character 𢳋 further emphasizes continuous following and smooth adherence, reminding us that Lü is achieved by connection rather than by muscular pulling."

A small terminology suggestion for your WTCCF manual

Instead of translating 捋 simply as Roll Back, I recommend:

Lü (Roll Back and Redirect)

Lü (Roll Back through Whole-body Spiral Redirection)

This better reflects the meaning in the Tai Chi Classics and helps students avoid the common misconception that Lü is merely pulling the opponent backward.

13式 An 按

In some traditions, when you press or push, the idea is to keep your arm aligned so that the whole body moves as one unit, minimizing isolated arm strength. In the 13 forms, if the elbow drops first and then rises, it may be a stylistic choice to generate a wave-like power or to use a different kind of energy release. Each approach aims to channel whole-body power, but the slight variations reflect differing interpretations of structure and flow.

Often, when you drop the elbow or sink slightly, it’s about absorbing or neutralizing incoming force—kind of grounding it into your structure. Once that energy is absorbed or redirected, the rising and pressing forward is the issuing part. So, it’s a cycle of yielding first, then issuing energy—just one of the many ways Tai Chi uses both yin and yang in technique.

When you push, the key is to keep the movement connected to your whole body, rather than just relying on local arm movement. This ensures that the power originates from your center and is smoothly delivered outward.

When the whole body is aligned and the momentum is generated from your center—like from your waist or legs—that momentum carries through. It’s that continuous, whole-body motion that allows your hand to keep moving, rather than relying on isolated arm strength. That’s the kind of momentum we aim for in Tai Chi!

The best angle can vary slightly depending on the style, but generally, your upper arm shouldn’t be glued to your side, nor flared out. Often, people aim for roughly a 90-degree angle between the upper arm and torso, and about a 90- to 120-degree angle between the upper arm and forearm. What matters most is that you feel structurally connected, so the force flows from the ground, through the legs, waist, and out the arm without awkward tension.

“Pressing like a wave” (按如浪波) means your push should flow like an ocean wave. The power begins from the ground, passes smoothly through your body, and arrives at your hands in one continuous, natural motion. It’s not abrupt; instead, it swells, adheres, and then issues force smoothly, just like a wave rolling in and then breaking.

13式上掤手 (Upper Ward-off Hand)下掤手 (Lower Ward-off Hand)

The key is to keep your whole body connected. When you do the upper ward hand (shàng pín shǒu), you initiate from your waist and dantian, not just your hands. Keep your shoulders relaxed, your arm slightly rounded, and let the power flow from your legs, through your waist, and out your forearm. In this way, the hand is just a guide, and the whole body stays balanced and coordinated.

下掤手 (Xià Péng Shǒu, Lower Ward-off Hand) is much more than simply holding the hand low. It is an application of Peng Jin (掤勁, Ward-off Energy) directed downward while maintaining the same whole-body connection as 上掤手 (Upper Ward-off Hand).

The purpose of 下掤手

Its main functions are: Support from below (向下托掤) without collapsing. Control the opponent's lower arm (控制下路). Protect your centerline (守中線). Prepare for Lü (捋), Ji (擠), or An (按).

The energy is forward and upward from the ground, even though the hand is lower.

Correct body mechanics (身法)

1. The hand does not lift by itself (不是手抬)

The hand is carried by: Legs (腿), Kua (胯), Waist (腰), Spine (脊柱)

The arm simply transmits the force.

Keyword: Whole-body connection (整體勁)

2. Sink before supporting (先沉後掤)

First: Relax (鬆), Sink (沉), Root (扎根)

Then the Peng energy naturally fills the arm.

Think of a buoy floating upward in water. The buoy does not push upward by itself; the water supports it.

Keywords

Sink (沉), Root (根), Peng energy (掤勁)

3. Keep a rounded structure (圓撐)

Never straighten the elbow.

Maintain a slight curve:

Shoulder relaxed (鬆肩), Elbow sunk (墜肘), Wrist relaxed (鬆腕)

The arm should feel like holding a large ball.

4. The elbow leads the hand (肘領手)

This is often overlooked. The elbow maintains the structure, while the hand follows naturally.

If the hand leads, the shoulder often rises and the structure weakens.

Keywords

Elbow leads (肘領), Hand follows (手隨)

Common mistakes (常見錯誤)

❌ Lifting with the shoulder (聳肩)

❌ Straightening the arm (伸直手臂)

❌ Pushing with the hand (用手推)

❌ Losing Peng structure (失棚)

❌ Separating the arm from the body (手身分離)

A useful analogy

Imagine you are supporting a large beach ball floating on water.

You do not lift it with your arm muscles.

Instead, your body provides the support, and your forearm simply maintains the connection.

The emphasis is on maintaining the original arm-body relationship (原位) and using whole-body power (整體勁) fits well with 下掤手.

A good 下掤手 should not involve actively raising the hand. Rather, the body advances as one unit, and the lower ward-off hand is carried by that movement. The relationship between the forearm (前臂), upper arm (上臂), and torso (身體) changes very little. If the hand appears to move, it is because the body moves, not because the arm works independently.

This is consistent with the Tai Chi principle: > "Its root is in the feet (其根在腳), It is directed by the waist (主宰於腰), Expressed through the fingers (形於手指)."

The hand is the final point of expression, but the force originates from the entire body. This is why a skilled 下掤手 feels both light and remarkably powerful.

The purpose of 下掤手

Its main functions are:

Support from below (向下托掤) without collapsing.

Control the opponent's lower arm (控制下路).

Protect your centerline (守中線).

Prepare for Lü (捋), Ji (擠), or An (按).

The energy is forward and upward from the ground, even though the hand is lower.

Correct body mechanics (身法)

1. The hand does not lift by itself (不是手抬)

The hand is carried by:

Legs (腿), Kua (胯), Waist (腰), Spine (脊柱)

The arm simply transmits the force.

Keyword: Whole-body connection (整體勁)

2. Sink before supporting (先沉後掤)

First: Relax (鬆), Sink (沉), Root (扎根)

Then the Peng energy naturally fills the arm.

Think of a buoy floating upward in water. The buoy does not push upward by itself; the water supports it.

Keywords

Sink (沉), Root (根), Peng energy (掤勁)

3. Keep a rounded structure (圓撐) Never straighten the elbow.

Maintain a slight curve:

Shoulder relaxed (鬆肩)

Elbow sunk (墜肘)

Wrist relaxed (鬆腕)

The arm should feel like holding a large ball.

4. The elbow leads the hand (肘領手)

This is often overlooked. The elbow maintains the structure, while the hand follows naturally. If the hand leads, the shoulder often rises and the structure weakens.

Common mistakes (常見錯誤)

❌ Lifting with the shoulder (聳肩)

❌ Straightening the arm (伸直手臂)

❌ Pushing with the hand (用手推)

❌ Losing Peng structure (失棚)

❌ Separating the arm from the body (手身分離)

A useful analogy

Imagine you are supporting a large beach ball floating on water. You do not lift it with your arm muscles. Instead, your body provides the support, and your forearm simply maintains the connection. From what I know of your Tai Chi approach Based on our previous discussions, your emphasis on maintaining the original arm-body relationship (原位) and using whole-body power (整體勁) fits well with 下掤手.

This is consistent with the Tai Chi principle:> "Its root is in the feet (其根在腳),It is directed by the waist (主宰於腰),

Expressed through the fingers (形於手指)."

The hand is the final point of expression, but the force originates from the entire body. This is why a skilled 下掤手 feels both light and remarkably powerful.

That's an excellent question. If you are referring to Lower Ward-off Hand (下掤手) as it descends from Upper Ward-off Hand (上掤手)—as in the Taiwan 13-Form or Yang-style transitions—then the key is not "lower the hand," but "sink the body while preserving Peng."

1. Do not drop the hand (不是放手)

The biggest mistake is to let the hand fall under gravity. Instead, the whole body sinks (身體下沉), and the arm is carried down by the body's movement. The relationship between the: Forearm (前臂), Upper arm (上臂), Torso (身體) should change very little. The arm should feel as though it is floating on the body, not moving independently.

> "Peng is like water supporting a boat." (掤如水浮舟)

The boat may move down with the wave, but the water continues to support it.

4. The waist controls the descent (腰主下降)

The lowering comes from: Relaxing the Kua (鬆胯), Sinking the center of gravity (重心下沉)

Turning the waist (腰轉) if the form requires it. The hands simply accompany the body's movement.

An advanced feeling: Imagine someone is pressing down on your Upper Ward-off Hand (上掤手). If you resist with your arm, you become stiff. Instead: You relax (鬆), Sink (沉), Keep Peng (棚), Let the whole body absorb the pressure.

As your body sinks, your hand naturally becomes Lower Ward-off Hand (下掤手). The hand did not move first. The body changed level, while the arm maintained its structure.

Based on Tai Chi theory

From our previous discussions, we emphasize:

Original body position (原位)

Whole-body power (整體勁)

No local arm movement (不用局部力)

That interpretation is very consistent with this transition. The upper ward-off becomes lower ward-off because the body sinks, not because the arm is intentionally lowered.

So I would describe the principle as:

> "Maintain the original arm-body relationship (保持原有身臂結構); let the body sink (身沉), the elbow settle (肘沉), and allow the hand to arrive at a lower position naturally (手自然隨身而下)."

This preserves Peng Jin (棚勁) throughout the entire transition.

Body + Faster Rising Arm or Sinking Body Rising Arm

It reflects one of the apparent paradoxes in internal martial arts: the whole body moves as one, yet different parts of the body may appear to move differently. The key is understanding internal force transmission (整體勁) rather than simply copying external movements.

Two Types of Ward-off (掤勁)

1. Rising Body + Faster Rising Arm (身升，手升更快)

This is used when: Lifting the opponent's force upward.

Entering underneath the opponent's arm.

Expanding Peng energy (掤勁).

Theory

The whole body rises from the ground:

Foot → Leg → Kua → Dantian → Spine → Shoulder → Elbow → Hand

The arm reaches its final position slightly earlier because it acts as the tip of the whip (鞭梢).

Although the arm appears to move faster, it is still driven by the legs and waist.

Keywords

Whole-body power — 整體勁

Ground force — 地面反作用力

Kinetic chain — 動力鏈

Whip effect — 鞭梢效應

Peng energy — 掤勁

Expansion — 膨脹

2. Sinking Body while the Arm Wards Up (身沉手起)

This often surprises beginners.

The body sinks while the arm continues to rise.

Examples include:

Brush Knee (摟膝拗步) Ward-off against a taller opponent

Neutralizing upward force

Issuing Peng upward without overextending yourself

Theory

The sinking creates a stronger root.

As the body sinks: the legs compress, the kua folds, elastic energy is stored, and the upward force is transmitted through the relaxed body.

This is similar to compressing a spring. The body goes down. The force goes up. The two directions create greater internal power.

Keywords

Sink the qi — 沉氣

Rooting — 扎根

Compression — 壓縮

Elastic force — 彈性勁

Opposing forces — 對拉勁

Upward Peng — 向上掤勁

Why Are Both Correct?

Taijiquan follows the principle:

"Movement is not judged by appearance but by the direction of force."

External motion (形) and internal force (勁) are not always identical.

Sometimes:

Shape rises, force rises.

Shape sinks, force rises.

Shape turns left, force issues forward.

The body's visible movement is only the carrier; the internal force direction determines the martial function.

Biomechanical Explanation

Modern biomechanics explains this through ground reaction force.

When you rise, you transfer force upward through the body, suitable for lifting or uprooting. When you sink, you increase pressure into the ground. According to Newton's Third Law, the stronger downward force into the floor creates a stronger upward reaction force. If your joints remain relaxed and connected, that force travels through the kinetic chain to the ward-off arm.

Taijiquan Principle

The classics say: > "Its root is in the feet, issued through the legs, directed by the waist, and expressed in the fingers."

「其根在腳，發於腿，主宰於腰，形於手指。」

This does not mean every part rises or sinks together. It means the force originates from the feet and is transmitted as one connected unit.

Another saying is:

> "Above there is intention; below there is support."

「上欲動，下自隨；上欲起，下先沉。」

This explains why many masters slightly sink before or even while raising the ward-off arm. The sinking is not opposite to the upward force—it creates and supports it. This is an example of opening within closing (開中有合) and rising within sinking (沉中有升), where opposite actions coexist to produce a stronger, more connected whole-body Peng energy.

13式 Yin & Yang Palm--Turning the Palm

This is one of the most subtle skills in Taijiquan. If the palm turns over by itself, it is local movement (局部動作). If it turns because of the whole-body Jin (整體勁), then it is Taiji.

The principle

When turning left, do not think about turning the palm (不要想翻掌).

Instead, think about:

The feet root (腳扎根).
The kua rotates (胯轉).
The waist turns (腰轉).
The spine follows (脊柱帶動).
The shoulder remains relaxed (鬆肩).
The elbow leads the forearm (肘領前臂).
Finally, the palm naturally changes from facing down to facing up (掌心自然由下轉上).

The palm is the last part to move, not the first.

The correct feeling (感覺)

Imagine you are holding a large ball (抱球).

As your torso turns left, you are not twisting your wrist. Instead, the entire "ball" rotates with your body.

Because the humerus (上臂) and forearm (前臂) rotate together, the palm naturally changes from:

Palm down (掌心向下)
Palm inward (掌心向內)
Palm up (掌心向上)

This is a gradual spiral (螺旋勁), not a wrist flip.

Where does the rotation come from?

The sequence should be:

Foot (腳) → Leg (腿) → Kua (胯) → Waist (腰) → Spine (脊柱) → Shoulder (肩) → Elbow (肘) → Forearm (前臂) → Palm (掌).

This follows the Tai Chi Classics:

"Its root is in the feet (其根在腳),
It is directed by the waist (主宰於腰),
Expressed through the fingers (形於手指)."

The fingers express what the body has already generated.

Common mistakes

❌ Turning the wrist first (先翻腕)

❌ Twisting the forearm with muscular effort (用前臂肌肉翻掌)

❌ Raising the elbow while turning (翻掌時抬肘)

❌ Separating the hand from the torso (手身分離)

An advanced image

Based on the principles you've shared in our previous discussions, your approach emphasizes maintaining the original arm-body relationship (原位).

Think of the arm as floating in space, connected to the torso. When the torso rotates left, the arm keeps its structure, and the palm changes orientation because the entire connected unit spirals (整體螺旋).

The palm does not actively turn. It is turned by the body's spiral force (螺旋勁).

This is why many masters say:

"The waist turns the hand, not the hand turning the waist."
「腰轉手，不是手轉腰。」

That idea captures the essence of whole-body Jin in palm rotation.

This is where many practitioners begin to use local arm movement (局部用力) instead of whole-body Jin (整體勁).

Suppose you have just completed the turn to the left, and your left palm is facing upward (左掌心向上). Now you want to return to the "Holding the Ball" posture (抱球), where the left palm faces inward toward the ball (左掌心向內).

Do not "turn the palm"

The first principle is: Do not rotate the wrist (不要翻腕).

Instead, let the body bring the palm around.

The sequence

Relax the shoulder (鬆肩).
Sink the elbow (沉肘).
Rotate the waist and kua (腰胯轉動).
Allow the upper arm to rotate naturally (上臂自然旋轉).
The forearm follows (前臂隨之旋轉).
The palm naturally changes from facing up to facing inward (掌心自然由上轉向內).

The rotation begins at the shoulder joint (肩關節) and is transmitted through the arm—not at the wrist.

Think of holding a large beach ball (抱大球)

Imagine there is a large ball between your two hands.

If you rotate only your left hand, the ball would fall.

Instead, the whole frame around the ball rotates together.

The distance between the hands changes very little. The elbows remain rounded (圓肘), the shoulders stay relaxed (鬆肩), and the body turns as one connected unit.

A useful Tai Chi cue

Instead of thinking: "Turn my palm."

Think: "Turn my center (轉中定)."

When your Dantian (丹田) and waist (腰) rotate, the palm simply arrives at its new orientation.

Your own whole-body theory

From our previous discussions, you emphasize that the arm should remain in its original body relationship (原位). Applied here, that means:

The elbow does not wander.
The shoulder does not lift.
The wrist does not actively twist.
The torso rotates, carrying the arm as part of one integrated structure.

The palm changes orientation because the body spirals (身體螺旋), not because the hand performs an isolated action.

That is the difference between using the hand (用手) and using the whole body (整體勁).

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Sequence

Why use 穿臂 → 抹臂?

Can the order be reversed?

Taiji Principle (太極原理)

Lü (捋) — Roll Back（捋）

Definition（定義）

Tai Chi Classics（太極拳論）

"Neither resist nor let go."

"Lead into emptiness."

"Four ounces deflect one thousand pounds."

Biomechanics（生物力學）

Mechanical Characteristics（力學特性）

Body Method（身法）

The Ancient Character 𢳋 (Hand Radical + 屢)

Meaning

Difference Between 捋 and 𢳋

Relationship with Peng（掤）

Teaching Explanation（教學說明）

A small terminology suggestion for your WTCCF manual

The principle

The correct feeling (感覺)

Where does the rotation come from?

Common mistakes

An advanced image

Do not "turn the palm"

The sequence

Think of holding a large beach ball (抱大球)

A useful Tai Chi cue

Your own whole-body theory