13式 Yin Yang Palms 陰陽掌

13式 Yin Yang Palms 陰陽掌

Turning a Yang palm (陽掌, palm facing outward or upward) into a Yin palm (陰掌, palm facing inward or downward) in Tai Chi should not be done by twisting the wrist alone. The change is generated by the whole body, with the kua (hip crease) playing a central role.

Sequence of movement

1. Relax the kua (鬆胯).

The movement begins by releasing the kua, not by moving the hand.

The kua initiates the rotation of the pelvis.

2. Turn the waist (腰).

The waist follows the kua.

The torso rotates as one unit while remaining upright.

3. Transmit the rotation through the back and shoulder.

Keep the shoulder relaxed and sunk (鬆肩墜肘).

The arm is carried by the body's rotation rather than acting independently.

4. Allow the forearm to rotate naturally.

As the elbow maintains its rounded structure, the forearm gradually rotates.

The palm changes from Yang to Yin almost effortlessly.

5. Finish with the fingers.

The fingers remain extended but relaxed.

The wrist stays soft; it does not initiate the turn.

Teaching explanation

> "Do not turn the palm with the wrist. Relax the kua first, let the waist rotate, and allow the back, shoulder, arm, and forearm to follow. The palm changes naturally from Yang to Yin as a result of whole-body connection."

Key principle

Think of the hand as the last link in a chain:

> Kua → Waist → Spine → Shoulder → Elbow → Forearm → Palm → Fingers

The palm changes because the entire body changes.

Keywords (English–中文)

Yang palm — 陽掌

Yin palm — 陰掌

Relax the kua — 鬆胯

Waist leads the movement — 腰為主宰

Whole-body connection — 整體連動

Shoulder relaxed, elbow sunk — 鬆肩墜肘

Forearm rotation — 前臂旋轉

The hand does not act independently — 手不自行動作

The kua initiates; the hand expresses. — 胯起，手達。

From a biomechanics perspective, initiating the rotation from the kua engages the large muscles of the hips and trunk, making the movement more efficient and maintaining the integrated power (整體勁) that is fundamental to Tai Chi.