Move 1: Commencement
Commencement: The Foundation of Wu Style Short Form
Welcome to the first move of our Wu Style Short Form, Commencement. This fundamental posture is about establishing your foundation and connection to the ground. It looks simple, but is about learning to connect your upper and lower body.
The Kwa Squat
The core of this move is the kwa squat, which focuses on opening and engaging your kwa or inguinal fold. As you begin the squat, make sure your knees stay behind your toes as your hips move back. Your torso should incline forward proportionally to your hips going back, maintaining a straight back. This proportional relationship is crucial; it keeps your weight balanced over your feet, ensuring your center of gravity remains stable. This protects your knees and allows you to root deeply into the ground.
The Arm Movement
The arm movement in Commencement is fluid and intentional.
- From a neutral stance, your wrists come up to about shoulder height, with your elbows and wrists naturally bent.
- As your arms extend forward, only stretch to about 70% of your full extension. The reason for this is to maintain a soft, relaxed feel. Extending to 100% can lock your joints and create tension in your muscles, which works against the fundamental principles of Tai Chi. Keeping a slight bend ensures fluidity and stored energy for your next movement.
- When you begin to bend back into your kwa squat, you simultaneously bend your arms as if you are tracing the back of a large, invisible ball. This motion keeps the energy flowing and prevents your movements from becoming linear or stiff.
- Finally, you return to a neutral posture, with your arms stretching back to a relaxed, natural position at your sides.
This move teaches you how to coordinate your entire body—from your hips and knees to your arms and torso—into a single, unified action. It's the essential first step in learning the form, and a key to developing your balance and internal energy.
