Distinguish Full and Empty in Two Legs
We suddenly veer toward the abstract:
- What is Full?
- What is Empty?
- What’s the context of the question?
The earlier points were pretty straight forward. Though this one tends to sound abstract, let’s be careful — let’s make practical sense of this weighty issue.
Because we’re exploring T’ai-chi Ch’üan, we sink our weight in a relaxed and efficient way into the earth. Full means weight-bearing; empty means not weight-bearing.
A full leg holds the body upright, while an empty one gracefully reaches out, stepping gently, carefully, precisely.
- Distinguish full and empty in two legs is practical and easy.
Yang Cheng-fu says:
“One must distinguish full and empty in the two legs. In rising and sinking one should move like a cat. If the weight of the body is shifted to the left leg, then the left leg is full and the right leg is empty. If the weight is shifted to the right leg, then the right leg is full and the left empty. What we mean by “empty” is no a vacuum, for there is no break in the potential for power, and the idea of extension and contraction remains. What we mean by “full” is simply that it is substantial and not that excessive force is used, for this would be considered brute strength. Therefore, when bending the legs, the foreleg should not extend beyond the vertical. To exceed this is considered an excess of energy. If when pushing forward we lose our vertical posture, our opponent will take advantage of this to attack us.”
—Yang Cheng-fu from Yang Family Secret Transmissions, p. 6
It’s another full idea, isn’t it?
In the next video, let’s see how it works.
Watch: Distinguish Full and Empty in Two Legs
Notice that instead of moving your weight laterally or horizontally, your weight sinks through your legs, more than less, vertically.
Say it again: sink your weight vertically.
Tell a bit about your realizations, please.
