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Mechanics and Functions of the Middle Joints
In analyzing the principles of Taijiquan movement we can think of the human body as divided into three major sections: The Lower Body; The Trunk of the Body; and The Upper Body. Likewise, the major sections can be further subdivided into three sections or joints each: Lower; Middle; and Upper (or Base; Middle; and End). Some subsections can be divided further. In general, the more detailed our breakdown of our body mechanics, the more we exacti we can be in our sense of the flow of our motions.
Let's take a look at the mechanics and functions of the Middle Sections or Middle Joints of the Body. The functions of the middle joints in Taijiquan are:
- Expanding/Flexing the Limbs
- Anchoring the Limbs
- Connecting the Limbs to the Frame as a Whole
The physical mechanics of the middle joints are much simpler. Take the elbow and knee joints as an example, the hinge-like structure of the joints allows only for movements of expansion and flexion of the limbs.
Expanding/Flexing the Limbs
Expanding/Flexing the Elbow Joint
Not knowing the structure of the joints and therefore their functions, a person without Taijiquan training will tend to lock his or her middle joints at certain angles when performing physical chores. This "locking up" tends to happen especially when physical strength is required. What people do not realize is that by locking their arms and legs, they are forcing their muscles to do all the work. This limits the amount of physical strength they can bring to bear on the task at hand. The degree of physical strength output is determined by the degree of contraction the muscle can take, and we all know that this is limited. Were you to similarly lock your elbows or knees when practicing forms, or when engaged in push-hands drills, all you are doing is training your muscles.
Have you noticed that when you focus on the expansion or flexion of your joints in movement (or, as the saying goes: "initiating your movement with your joints"), you muscle is relaxed. And the strength is more solid as well as directional?
There is a reason why we say that one goal of Taijiquan training is to change our normal patterns of response, moving away from relying on our muscular strength, and learning to rely instead on one's joints and overall "frame" - the structural alignment of our bodies.
The Hinge Joint of the Knee
Three common errors beginners usually make in this area are:
- Not focusing on the expansion and flexion of their joints thereby allowing the muscle to take over a movement. The joints, in this case, become passive.
- Partial reliance on the muscle: i.e. the change over is not thorough: when the muscle is tense and contracted, the strength generated by the expansion and flexion of the joints are restricted.
Some writers on the internal martial arts have claimed that, "not only can I expand and flex my middle joints, I can rotate them as well." This is another common error, based on a lack of knowledge or an error in perception. One needs to understand that the middle joints do not rotate. Rotation is a function of the Base Joints (e.g. shoulder and hip joints). One might be able to rotate the middle joints to a narrow degree, but this would restrict their function tremendously. Is it not more logical and efficient to allow different joints to function how they function best?
Anchoring the Limbs>
Another Taijiquan function of the middle joints is "Anchoring". Anchoring the middle joints enables the typical Taiji spherical movements of the lower limbs (the forearms and the hands, and the lower leg and the feet). Spherical movements are six-directional and are difficult for your opponent to follow.
One could anchor the movement of the limbs with the base joints (the shoulder and hip), or the movement of the extremities (the hands and the feet) with the lower joints (the ankles and the wrists), but the middle joints (elbows and knees) are the most commonly used.
Expanding/Flexing and Anchoring functions of the middle joints are frequently seen in the New Frame (Xinjia) Forms, Yilu (Road I) and Erlu (Road II) of Chen Style Taijiquan. Many techniques are derived from these functions.
Connecting the Limbs to the Frame as a Whole
The third Taijiquan function of the middle joints is connecting the limb to the frame, the structural alignment of the body-in-motion, as a whole. This function is important when practicing the traditional Old Frame (Liaojia) Forms, Road I (Yilu) and Road II (Erlu) of Chen Style Taijiquan.
Connecting allows the flow of "Ji" and "Jing". This concept is not difficult to grasp but it is easier said than done. Connecting the lower body's middle joints: i.e. the knee is difficult to achieve, but it is worth the effort. For it's only when the knee joints are "connected" that "Ji" and "Jing" can flow through the body, and the whole structure be considered rooted and well grounded during practice of the forms or during push-hands drills.
- Qichen Guo
- Chief Instructor
- Los Angeles Chen Tai Chi Center
- qichen@chen-taiji-la.com
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