Step 3: 太极起势 (Beginning of Taiji)

1. Relax and sink the whole body further, using the 'yi' to focus at the sole of both the heels. It is as if you are leaning backwards, very slightly and not visible to the outsiders.
2. At this stage, stay as relaxed as possible, keeping the whole body upright, head gently locked at the neck area and facing the front, with the 'head chakra' ready for the cosmic energy. You are now in a position ready for '虚灵顶劲' (xu ning ding jing) and it means “emptiness against vigor”. In fact, this is one of the 10 essential understanding of learning Taiji.
3. This 'mind intention' or 'yi' will cause both hands to float up and to the front, with the fulcrum at the two shoulder joints.
4. Relax so that while both hands continue to rise, and both elbows also relaxed and slightly bent (with the cavities of both elbows facing upwards), concentrate the 'yi' at the top central point of the two wrists while the fingers continue pointing downwards. Do not stiffen or straighten the elbow and wrist joints.
5. Until the two arms are parallel to the floor, you will next feel a very subtle sensation running upwards along your back and neck and pushes out through your 'head chakra'.
6. Next, direct your 'yi' onto the sole of the toes, as if like leaning forward.
7. Then start to relax your shoulders, starting the process of 'sinking the shoulder and dropping the elbow' or '沉肩坠肘'.
8. Again, focus your 'yi' at the sole of the two heels.
9. This shifting of the 'mind intention' or 'yi' back and forth between heels and toes is an essential effort that must be practised constantly. It is another basic principle of Taiji that forces moves in waves and is never stationery at any one point.
10. Continuing the process of 'sinking the shoulder and dropping the elbow' or '沉肩坠肘', you will feel the two elbows sinking and bending (the two elbow cavities facing upwards becoming more pronounced too), and drawing both your wrists nearer to your body, as opposed to you deliberately moving your body forward or pulling both your arms nearer to you.
11. Directing the 'yi' from the shoulders slowly down the arm through the elbows and again right to the two wrists (with running focal point), you will find both your palms opening upwards and spreading all the fingers out, as if like the petals of a flower opening up.
12. There will be a tingling sensation felt at the finger tips, as if air is escaping upwards through the finger tips. Qi (气) is actually flowing.
13. Next, direct your 'yi' onto the sole of the toes, then back on the sole of the heels again. At the same time applying the running focal point concept once more, start lowering both your palms downwards, with fulcrum at the elbows.
14. Until both your lower arms are parallel to the floor, next lower both your arms with the fulcrum now at the shoulder joints.
15. When the two arms are completely lowered to both sides of your body, the inside of the palms should be facing backwards and the fingers spread out and pointing to the floor, all in a very relaxed manner. Again, you will feel tingling sensation at the finger tips.