When I turn my back foot by lifting and moving the heel, my weight shifts as my center is moved in the direction that the heel moves toward. When I turn the foot by lifting and turning the toe, there is no shifting of my center. the weight is rotated but no movement in any forward or backward or lateral direction occurs, and no adjustments are necessary to maintain the balance and relaxation.
This may be clearly seen in performing round hands, or cloud hands. When the weight is shifted intentionally by lifting and moving the heel as the feet separate, and by raising and moving the toe as one turns and brings the feet together.
This is very obvious when performing the step by step square form, and perhaps not quite so obvious when performing the continuous round form. (In the continuous form, as the leg is extended when stepping apart, the opposite arm is extended to counterbalance the leg’s weight and preserve balance). One’s weight is shifted back and forth between the right and left leg and at the same time one turns 45 degrees to the right or left as to always be facing the weighted, front leg.
Internalization
At higher levels the concept of ‘Dividing for Two Parts’ comes into play in these movements, as the right and left sides of the body begin to move independently and the muscles connecting the two sides are exercised (and tensions released) with each step. At beginning levels, the whole body is turned with each step, but as the movements become more internalized, this becomes more relevant. As the form evolves this internalization of movement allows for generalization of the T’ai Chi principles into our everyday movements in our daily life.
Mr. Chow used to say, Every movement is T’ai Chi, and every brush stroke is Art.”
Some insight into this concept of Dividing for two parts may be gained by the study of such movements as Parting the Horse’s Mane, and Fair Lady at the Shuttle, located in the form before the second Round hand. Again, these offerings may seem somewhat obtuse without actual demonstration of this in the form, for those not already familiar with the concept. However, no effort is wasted, and the practice of the form itself may lead one toward these insights.
