06/01/2026
We're starting classes today (6th Jan) too! Here's a little inspiration from our friends in Wu's Tai Chi Chuan Academy Detroit
Our 2026 schedule begins tomorrow, January 6th! While we will be expanding our class offerings in the next few month, January is the same as December...
To help get into the swing of things, here is a document on our basic footwork that we've been working on:
Basic Footwork 基本步法 Jīběn Bù Fǎ
Parallel Stance - 併步 bìng bù, also known as River Character Stance 川字步 chuān zì bù because of the parallel vertical strokes used to write the character 川.
The weighted leg is ‘full’ 實 shí, and the weightless leg ‘empty’ 虛 xū.
「 虛步: 以能隨意起落為度 」“An empty step means the leg may rise or fall at will.”
「 實步: 卽腿彎曲而不伸直 」“A full step means the leg is bent and not straight.”
When the front leg is ‘full’ in the Parallel Stance it is called Bow Stance or Archery Stance 弓腿跨步 gōng tuǐ kuà bù. The Parallel Stance with the back leg ‘full’ is the Backward Stance 背步 bèi bù.
Tai Chi stepping forward 上步 or 進步 shàng bù or jìnbù; and back 退步 tuìbù.
「 又須作川字步，卽當兩足前後立時，足尖俱宜向前 」
“Also, you must make the River Character Stance, meaning that when you are standing with your feet one forward and the other behind, the toes of both should be pointing forward.”
Sitting Stance Toe Pointed - 坐腿點步 zuò tuǐ diǎn bù. From the Backward Stance, the back leg is ‘full’. The forward ‘empty’ foot is on the tip of the toe.
One Leg Stance - 獨立步 dúlì bù. From the Backward Stance, the back leg is ‘full’ and the ‘empty’ leg is off the ground.
Inward Turning Stance - 内扣步 nèi kòu bù. Forward and back. This stance is familiar to students as the hooking in of the left foot after the first step in the Hand Form.
Outward “J” Shaped Stance - 外丁步 wài dīng bù. Forward and back. The front foot is at a 90-degree angle to the rear foot. In English, the letter J stands in for the Chinese character 丁 which is chosen for its shape, not its meaning.
Squatting Stance - 蹲步 dūn bù. In the Forward Squatting Stance, the leg is extended 45-degrees to the corner in front of the other leg, with the toe turned out 45-degrees in the opposite direction. The knees will touch at the end of the step. The height of the Backward Squatting Stance is variable.
Horse Riding Stance - 騎馬勢 qímǎ shì or 馬步 mǎ bù, standing as if riding on horseback. A somewhat narrower version is called Number Eight Character Stance 八字步 bāzì bù.
From Horse Riding Stance: Left and Right Leaning Stance左右靠步 zuǒ yòu kào bù.
