I have been studying pi chuan for about a decade now, here are some tips I’ve picked up along the way.
Learn to use natural walk cycle body mechanics when you’re doing pi chuan, or any of the wu xing quan. In the below video Luo Dexiu demonstrates this method very clearly.
Chop Wood
There is a reason this method is called splitting palm. Chopping wood is a good exercise for martial artists, but it is like a meditation for those of us who study pi chuan. One handed chopping, with a hatchet is the most similar motion to actual pi chuan, two handed chopping with a large axe takes longer to figure out how to link to the movement.
These concepts give the San Ti stance it’s name:
There are the three points: Head / Hands / Feet – These three must be aligned and coordinated.
There are Heaven / man / Earth – (head/intent), human (torso/heart), and earth (legs/stance).
There are three powers or San Cai 三才 – Mind/intent (Yi), energy (Qi), and physical force (Li) should merge into one.
They are backward, resist pressure against the raised palm.
There are six directional forces to test the San Ti Stance against.
- They are backward, resist pressure against the raised palm.
- Forward pressing on the upper back towards the raised palm.
- Upward sit down to resist someone lifting you, also keep this in the lower palm.
- Downward – resist being pressed down.
- From left side,
- From the right side including neutralizing the third leg weak spot(requires direction from a teacher)
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