This concept seems simple. Of course I move around by using my legs, duh! The important part is in the how. Sun Lutang and several other masters talked of 4 manifestations and 5 steps within Taiji. The 4 manifestations are: advancing, retreating, going left, and going right. The 5 steps are; advance, retreat, left, right, and stay in the center.
Well that seems simple enough, I just move around right? Unfortunately its more complicated than that. One must move with the right intention and centeredness. You must move with root yet be agile and smooth. These ideas take years of moving in a slow and relaxed manner, discovering the depth of each move. Should your leg be empty or full? Should it deliver energy or accept it? Once you grasp these details you then must dive deeper into what the movement entails. Your legs must connect to the body, must become light and agile yet able to sink into the ground within a moments notice. You must be moving left then change right within an instant. You must be able to retreat yet advance at a moments notice when the vulnerability is discovered. This is a martial art that breeds health and longevity but is still a MARTIAL ART!
The ability to change intention within any part of the body is difficult, but even more so with the legs. Many people spend more time sitting then actually moving, much to the dismay of our genetics and heritage! Their kuas are closed and tendons tight. This sluggishness is hard to overcome and must be trained OUT of your body. The bows of the legs must be trained to be taut and strong!
“But Sifu, I am tired today…”
Too bad! Through the difficult comes the great. A person must eat the bitter to attain the truth in things. Without Yang, your Ying will never truly flourish, only lie dormant and elusive to health and combat. Even just standing at a desk or in your house instead of sitting will give strength to the legs and help overcome this idleness. This is the start, in the little achievements greater will persist and one day you will accomplish your form 10, then 20, and may be even 40 times without noticing any sluggishness and tiredness – true Gong Fu!