太極四隅解

四正,即四方也,所謂堋,捋擠、按也。初不知方能始圓,方圓復始之理無已,焉能出隅之手矣。缘人外之肢體,內之神氣,弗缉輕靈,方圓,四正之功,始出輕重浮沉之病,則有隅矣。譬如半重偏重,滯而不正,自然為採挒肘靠之隅手。或雙重填實,亦出隅手也。病多之手,不得己以隅手扶之,而歸圓中方正之手。雖然至底者,肘,靠亦及此,以補其所以雲爾。夫日後功夫能致上乘者,亦須獲採挒而仍歸大中至正矣。是四隅之所用者,因失體而補缺雲雲。


"Four cardinal directions are four sides, and are what are called Peng, Lu, Ji, and An. If at beginning, one does not know how the squareness can be applied to roundness roundness and the theory of the ceaseless repeating cycle of the squareness and roundness, then how on can derive the skills of the four corners? This is related to our external limbs and internal spirit and Qi. If one is not able to accomplish the skills of lightness, agility, squareness, and roundness, also avoid the faults of lightness, heaviness, floating, and sinking how can one derive four corners? For example, if one commits a half heaviness or too much of heaviness, then one’s skills are stagnant, and the body disordered. Naturally, you will use the skills of four corners—Cai, Lie, Zhou, and Kao. Alternatively, if one commits a double weightedness and becoming an excessive fullness, then one will also apply the four corners’ techniques. When one has too many faulty skills, without choice, one must rely on the skills of four corners to compensate it, then one able to return to the skills of proper roundness and squareness. Even though, those practitioners with low skills must rely on the Zhou and Kao to compensate their deficiencies. After practicing for a long time, those whose Gongfu has reached to the top skills, must also acquire the skills of Cai and Lie to reach a high level of correctness and righteousness. That means the applications of the four corners are to be used to compensate for the deficiency of the main part of the art (i.e., four sides)."

Based on the translation by 楊俊敏 Yang Jwing Ming presented in the book 太極拳楊氏先哲秘要 Tai Chi Secrets of the Yang Style.

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