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Internal Arts of China; Defining Our Terms - Footwork & The Six Harmonies -Part V

Nov 11 / Fernando Bernall
"Its root is in the feet, it is issued through the legs, controlled by the waist, and expressed in the fingers. From the feet, through the legs, to the waist, all must act as one unified whole."
Wang Zongyue, The Taijiquan Treatise (《太極拳論》)
"Move the energy as if through a nine-bend pearl, reaching every single part without exception... The posture must be centered and upright, comfortable and balanced, supporting all eight directions."
— Wu Yuxiang, Mental Elucidation of the Thirteen Postures (《十三勢行功心解》)

Rooted & Connected: Stepping Methods and the Six Harmonies

Over the course of this series, we have explored the foundational vocabulary, relaxed mechanics, listening skills, and eight directional energies of Tai Chi Chuan. Now, it is time to bring everything together by looking at how we move through space and unite the body from the ground up.

In Tai Chi, your upper body can only feel light, relaxed, and fluid when your lower body is stable and rooted. Balance and grace are never forced from the shoulders—they rise smoothly from the ground, flow through a relaxed waist, and express naturally through the hands.

To experience this feeling of effortless integration, we rely on two essential frameworks: mindful stepping mechanics and the Lìu Hé (六合), or the Six Harmonies.

Foundational Tai Chi Stepping Methods

Your feet are your direct connection to the earth. Practicing these four stepping methods builds lower-body stability, protects your knees, and dramatically improves everyday balance.
Chinese Characters
Pinyin
Stepping Method
Movement Quality & Balance Focus
虚步 / 虛步
Xūbù
Empty Stance
A signature Tai Chi stance where almost all body weight settles into the bent rear leg while the front foot touches down lightly with zero weight. Builds deep leg strength and crisp balance control.
扣步
Kòubù
Hook / Inward Step
Stepping forward and turning the toes gently inward to smoothly redirect your momentum. Keeps the knee aligned with the toes when turning or pivoting.
摆步 / 擺步
Bǎibù
Swing / Outward Step
The counterpart to Koubu. The foot steps forward and opens outward at a 45-degree angle, opening the hip joint and establishing a wide, stable base before shifting weight.
跟步
Gēnbù
Follow Step
A smooth half-step used in many classic Tai Chi transitions such as "Play the Lute", or as we say in class: "Play Guitar". As the front foot steps out, the rear foot glides forward to settle comfortably beneath your center.

The Six Harmonies (六合 - Lìu Hé)

The Six Harmonies are a timeless set of physical and mental alignment checkpoints. They are divided into three physical (external) harmonies and three energetic (internal) harmonies. When these six elements work together, your body stops feeling stiff or disjointed and begins to move as one cohesive, fluid whole.

Where Beginners Should Start: Focus on the Physical Three First

When you are starting out—or refining your forms in our online classes—do not worry about trying to force the three internal harmonies.

As a beginner, your sole focus should be on the first three physical harmonies. Think of your body like a musical instrument: you have to tune the strings and align the frame before you can play a smooth melody. Once your shoulders, hips, elbows, knees, hands, and feet learn to move in physical harmony, the three internal harmonies will naturally blossom on their own with time, relaxation, and consistent practice.
Chinese Characters
Pinyin
Harmony Checkpoint
Mind-Body Integration Principle
肩与胯合
Jiān yǔ kuà hé
External 1:
Shoulders & Hips
Beginner Focus: Your upper torso and pelvis stay aligned and turn together as one cylinder, preventing lower-back strain and keeping the spine neutral.
肘与膝合
Zhǒu yǔ xī hé
External 2:
Elbows & Knees
Beginner Focus: The mid-joints of your arms and legs mirror each other's direction and soft bend, keeping your center of gravity balanced and springy.
手与足合
Shǒu yǔ zú hé
External 3:
Hands & Feet
Beginner Focus: Your upper and lower extremities finish their movements at the exact same moment—your hands settle into place just as your foot roots into the floor.
心与意合
Xīn yǔ yì hé
Internal 1:
Heart-Mind & Intention
Develops Over Time: Your calm emotional state (Xin) merges with your focused attention (Yi), settling scattered thoughts into peaceful, present-moment awareness.
意与气合
Yì yǔ qì hé
Internal 2:
Intention & Breath
Develops Over Time: Wherever you direct your gentle focus, your breath and internal circulation naturally follow—never forced, always smooth and rhythmic.
气与力合
Qì yǔ lì hé
Internal 3:
Breath & Physical Movement
Develops Over Time: Your deep, relaxed breathing merges seamlessly with your physical posture, turning ordinary exercise into moving meditation.

Bringing It All Into Your Daily Practice

You do not need to master everything at once. The next time you join a class—whether at my studio or here online at Virtual Tai—simply pick one physical checkpoint from the External Harmonies. Notice whether your shoulders and hips are turning together, or check if your hands and feet arrive at the same time.

Be patient with the process. As your physical structure becomes comfortable and aligned, the deeper internal connections will quietly take care of themselves.

Congratulations on completing our Tai Chi Terminology Series! Be sure to bookmark our complete Master Glossary so you can revisit these characters, pronunciations, and alignment keys anytime you practice. And stay tuned—in an upcoming section of the blog, we will explore Tai Chi's sister arts (including Baguazhang, Xingyiquan, and Liuhebafa) and see how their unique movements enrich our practice!

Fernando Bernall
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