| Acupressure |
Acupuncture without needles |
| Acupuncture |
Using needles (French, acu = needle) to stimulate
or alter the flow of energy in the meridians |
| acupuncture meridians |
Channels of energy circulating through the body,
many of which are connecting to the functioning of organ
systems. |
| "The art of Living" |
Dr. Ho'o's definition of Tai Chi Chuan |
| Ba gua |
The bagua octagon--see explanation on first page
of this website. Also, an internal martial art focusing on
circular movements. |
| Ba Hui |
A line from behind each ear to the midline on the
top of the head will find this point. |
| Bubbling well |
Also known as bubbling spiring, Kidney 1 (K1 on
charts).In the middle of the foot, on the ball, right on the edge
of where the arch starts. An energy gate, opening to the
earth. |
| Buddhism |
Philosophy of China with focus on the mind and
realtiy |
| central equiliabrium |
Look left, look right, shift forward, shift back
and central equilibrium are the "five elements" of Tai Chi
movement |
| Chan |
Sticking, adherence. |
| Chang San-Feng |
Master of the Shao-lin Monastery, created the
principles of Tai Chi Chuan |
| chi |
Internal energy developed through Tai Chi
practice, Chi is in everything. |
| chi gong |
chi kung, pronounced the same |
| chi kung |
Energy or breath exercises, practiced as part of
Tai Chi |
| chin |
An explosive force, release of internal
energy. |
| ching |
Aseminal essence developed in the kidneys; not to
be confused with chin. |
| Confucianism |
Philosophy of China based on teaching of
Confucius, with focus on relationship of man and society, family
and morals. |
| Confucius |
Chinese philosopher; literally "Mr. Kung Fu." See
kung fu |
| cosmic stance |
Standing meditation posture with arms at chest
height like "hugging a tree." |
| fa-ching |
See chin. There are differences in spelling and
pronunciation creating some confusion about chin and ching. In
martial arts, as well as in healing, it is important to note that
the energy release comes through the body rather than from
it. |
| five elements |
Five transformations of energy: fire, earth,
metal, water, wood. |
| ho k'ou |
also "hu k'ou"--tiger's mouth--the space between
the thumb and first finger on each hand containing the large
intestine point important in Acupressure |
| horse stance |
Tai chi and standing meditation stance. The legs
are shoulder width, the feet parallel, knees in inverted "U"
shape, with knees bent only as far as over the toes; tailbone
pointing straight into the earth. |
| Hsing Yi |
An internal martial art form. |
| i |
The mind |
| I-Ching |
The Book of Changes, ancient philosophical
writings describing the trigrams and hexagrams in relation to
human action and thought |
| internal martial art |
As opposed to an external martial art, a form
that is based on development of internal energy rather than
external force. |
| jen mai |
Also "conception vessel," the meridian running up
the midline on the front of the body. |
| jing |
See ching |
| K'an |
Trigram = water, what seeks the lowest level |
| Kung fu |
Literally, hard work over a long period of time;
martial arts. |
| kwa |
The area between the leg and the groin,
containing 56 lymph nodes. The kwa folds and unfolds constantly
in Tai chi movement. |
| Lao Kung |
Pericardium 8, on the palm of the hand; an
important energy gate. |
| Li |
Trigram = fire, light, what clings |
| li |
external strength |
| Lineage |
The Tai Chi lineage is the series of unbroken
generations of teachers over hundreds of years. |
| Macrocosmic Orbit |
the energy circuit through the legs to top of
head and back down |
| Marshall Ho'o |
Teacher in California; created National Tai Chi
Chuan Association. See page one of this website under
Teachers. |
| Microcosmic Orbit |
the energy circuit from the perineum up the back,
around the head and back down. |
| Ming mung |
Ming men--on the back, slightly above the tan
tien (between thrid and fourth lumbar vertebrae--an energy
point |
| Pa-Kua |
See ba-gua |
| push hands |
Training with a partner to learn Tai chi
principles. Using principles of "sticking" or adhereing,
following the energy and yielding, each player attempts to uproot
the other. |
| qi |
See chi; pronounced the same. |
| qigong |
chi kung, pronounced the same |
| shen |
spirit |
| string of pearls |
Or string of beads; the spine: perfectly
straight, suspended, yet loose, relaxed. |
| sung |
Pronounced soong, a state of relaxed
attention |
| Tai Chi |
The Great Ultimate, symbolized by the "two fish
swimming in the ba gua": |
| Tai Chi Chuan |
The "form of Tai Chi" or Tai Chi Boxing. |
| Ta-Mo |
Known as Bodhidharma, created exercises in the
Shao-lin Temple. |
| tan t'ien |
the area 1 1/2 to 2 inches below the navel--an
enrgy reservoir, psychic center and center of gravity |
| Taoism |
Ancient philosophy of China, focusing on man's
relationship with nature, and of the body to the mind. |
| temple exercises |
Warm up exercises done before the Tai Chi
form |
| Tsou |
See "yielding". |
| Tu mai |
Governing vessel, travelling up the midline of
the back, over the head, down the front of face to upper
palate. |
| Wu chi |
The undifferentiated, absolute energy of the
Universe |
| Yang Chen-Fu |
Died in 1936; extended the form and
teachings. |
| Yang Lew Shan |
"Yang the Invinsible," began the Yang Family
style. |
| Yellow Emperor |
Supposed writer of the Nei Ching, book of
medicine, herbology; c. 2500 BC |
| Yielding |
"There is no defense; there is only
yeilding."--Cheng Man Ching |
| Yin and Yang |
Two complementary opposing forces in the
universe. See page one of this website under Philosophy. |
| Yin Yang Symbol |
Tai Chi symbol: ÝÝÝÝ |
