Glossary

An: one of the eight gates, the Push

back Shu points: Acupuncture points along the spine that correspond to and influence the solid and hollow organs

Ba Gua: Eight-sided symbol representing the eight forces of nature, also spelled pakua

Ba Gua Zhang: One of three internal Chinese martial arts featuring discharge power

Ba hui: The point at the crown of the head

bian: Deficiency, one of the four faults of Push Hands practice

chan su jin: Silk reeling

chi: the vibration of the life force felt by the senses

Chi Kung: To work the chi

Ching Chi: Fluid essence most commonly associated with sexual essence

Chong Mai: Central Thrusting Channel

Chou: One of the eight gates, the Elbow Strike

Dai Mai: Belt Channel

Du Mai: Governing Channel

ding: Butting, one of the four faults of Push Hands practice

diu: Losing contact, one of the four faults of Push Hands practice

dong jin: Understanding power

Fa Jin: Internal discharge power

fu: Bending forward

Hsing Yi Chuan: One of three internal Chinese martial arts featuring discharge power

hun: The soul of the liver; the ethereal soul

Ji: One of the eight gates, the Press

jin: Internal force

jin na: Locks

Kan, Li, Chen, Tui, Kun, Ken, Sun, Chien: Water, Fire, Thunder, Lake, Earth, Mountain, Wind, and Heaven

kang: Resisting

Kou: One of the eight gates, the Shoulder Strike

ku: Food chi

kua: The ligaments of the pelvis

Lieh: One of the eight gates, the Split

Lu: One of the eight gates, the Rollback

Ming Men: Door of Life (the acupuncture point between the second and third lumbar vertebrae)

Nei Kung: Internal strength work

pakua: see Ba Gua

Peng: One of the eight gates, the Ward Off

po: The soul of the lungs; the corporeal soul

Ren Mai: Conception Channel

shen: Spirit

Tai Chi Chuan: One of three internal Chinese martial arts featuring discharge power

tan tien: Energy center

Tsai: One of the eight gates, the Lever

Tui shou: Push Hands

Wu wei: Nothingness

yang: Bending backward

Yi: Integrated mind power

zhan, lian, nian, sui: connecting, sticking, adhering, and following

CAST OF TAOIST/TAI CHI CHARACTERS

See chapter 1 for more details.

 

Bruce Lee (1940–1973): Movie star

Chang San-Feng (1279–1368 CE): Legendary immortal who created Tai Chi and was an alchemist

Chen Man-Ching (1902–1975): Student of Yang Chen-Fu

Dong Hai-Chuan (1797–1882): Founder of Ba Gua Zhang

Li I-Yu (1832–1892): Taught by Wu Yu-Hsiang

Tan Meng-Hsien: Little is known, included in Yang family manuscripts

Wang Tsung-Yueh (actual dates unknown, either ca. 1368–1644 or eighteenth century): The first historical Tai Chi character after Chang San-Feng

Wu Yu-Hsiang (1812–1880): Founder of Hao style, taught by Yang Lu-Chan

Yang Chen-Fu (1883–1936): Son of Yang Jian

Yang Jian (1839–1917): Son of Yang Lu-Chan

Yang Lu-Chan (1799–1872): Founded the Yang style

Yang Pan-Hou (1837–1892): Son of Yang Lu-Chan