The 4 Primary Energies of Tai Chi (Peng Energy)
Tai Chi Peng Energy
What makes Tai Chi Chuan so effective? Why does it seem that a skilled practitioner can execute a take-down or punch and defend himself completely effortlessly?
Even though Tai Chi has gained much in popularity in the last decade, it still seems like a mystery martial art to a lot of people. The concept of internal power is often times confused with supernatural powers or skills known from their favorite anime characters. While Tai Chi and most other Chinese martial arts have been developed from a spiritual and philosophical foundation, Western fighting arts have their main focus on outer development, muscle building, speed and technique. Tai Chi requires an immense amount of inner cultivation, cultivation of the mind and self- awareness. Adapting to constant change as a means of relaxation, changing between hard/soft, yin/yang and the very close observation of the flow of energy within your body. Tai Chi, when highly developed, can be extremely powerful. Western martial arts emphasize power (Li, 力) which is the power generated by force. In Tai Chi, this kind of power is usually used as a pejorative. But when used in the internal martial arts, only in relationship to using 功Kung Skill; which is a refined effective and efficient usage of the body (as a superior tool - lever), combined with a strategy* during engagement, that seeks and utilizes a tactical advantage. No super powers.
Tai Chi utilizes different energies/directions of movements and states of body & mind with “Peng” being one of the most important energies.
There are 4 primary energies in Tai Chi. Peng, Liu, Ji and An. Peng is probably the most important energy because it uplifts the opponent and brakes his root - his connection to the ground. Once you are able to store and utilize this energy in the body, or in other words, execute this movement in a very detailed manner and with the right amount of relaxation and correct body mechanics, everybody who will touch you will feel deprived of their foundation. This might only be a slight off-balance, but it will be enough to make their attack or defense ineffective. The direction of movement in “Peng” is down and then up. The shape of Peng would be a semi circle.
At Water Dragon Arts we offer various courses that deal extensively with Qigong and Taijiquan. You can take part in our online lessons via Zoom or a selection of multi-day courses.
Is “Peng” a direction of movement, a technique or an energy?
It is both. It starts of with the basic direction of movement along the shape of the semi-circle. First going down and then up. Taoist Monk Yunrou says: “If we follow a continuum and our Peng energy, or rather Peng direction of movement becomes increasingly small, we will reach a place where there is a qualitative change. Where we have gone from a direction of movement to an energy.”
The book “Tai Chi Classics” is describing Peng in a different way. This kind of literature might be hard to understand for a novice that’s why a comment follows each part.
The Song of Peng
"What is the meaning of Peng energy?
It is like the water supporting a moving boat.
First, sink the Qi to the Dan Tian,
then hold the head, as if suspended from above.
The entire body is filled with springlike energy,
opening and closing in a very quick moment.
Even if the opponent uses a thousand pounds of force,
he can be uprooted and made to float without difficulty.
Softness overcomes haradness"
In general, to move with stability and agility, you constantly need to maintain Song (relaxation) and the body must maintain an attitude of Peng; not too limber, not too stiff. It is by already possessing Peng, that it can be amplified, expressed out the body, and directed into an opponent at a moment's notice at the right time.
"It is like the water supporting a moving boat".
Peng is an upward energy. Its expression works because the opponent's support has already been compromised (they are floating) prior to issuing the energy. When they are not sunk and grounded properly, a well placed and timed Peng energy uproots them off their feet. It is a Skill, refined through a lot of Push Hand practice.
"First, sink the Qi to the Dan Tian,
then hold the head, as if suspended from above".
Study Newton's three laws of motion. Tai Chi is the application of good physics. If the body does not possess Peng, it cannot express Peng. Energy cannot rise (Yang), if it cannot sink (yin) simultaneously. Here it is also referring to the first of Yang Chengfu's Ten Essentials. To put it simply, imagine you are jumping up. In order to jump, you need to press your feet down into the ground.
"The entire body is filled with springlike energy,
opening and closing in a very quick moment."
The integration of whole body storage and release (of Peng) requires many years of study. The movements have to be extremely familiar with attention to detail and almost habitual. A student becomes Qi sensitive by paying close attention to the sensations in the body. Cultivating the ability to remain stable and Song in motion, consistently and constantly is the key.
"Even if the opponent uses a thousand pounds of force,
he can be uprooted and made to float without difficulty."
Using only 4 ounces to move a 1000 pounds has nothing to do with paranormal energy. It is the result of many years of training, cultivation and refining skills and using Yi, intent and not Li, force to execute such great maneuvers of power.
“Softness overcomes hardness”
Don't take a force head on and stillness overcomes motion - economy of motion, taking advantage of the present situation. Being soft and relaxed enables you to react swiftly and allows you to change withing a fraction of a second. Hardness and stiffness is only useful in the short moment of executing an attack or/and defense.
There are many scriptures and texts about Tai Chi and it’s energies. Step by step and as my research continues, I will share my insights and try to bring the hidden aspects of this beautiful practice to light. The practice of Tai Chi and Qigong (especially) is a huge accumulation of personal experiences and skill developing over the course of millennia. In order to fully understand it we need to at least try to verify some of it within our own body. Some of it will stay beyond our comprehension if we try to grasp it in an solely intellectual way.
Thank you for reading and until next time!
