This document summarizes the 8 energies of Tai Chi - Peng, Lu, Ji, An, Cai, Lie, Zhou, and Kao. For each energy, it provides a description of its meaning and application in both Chinese characters and pinyin romanization, as well as a short poem or "song" in English to further illustrate the principles of that energy. The energies involve concepts like yielding, following force, changing direction, seizing opportunities, balance, leverage, explosive power, and incorporating the Daoist elements.

1. Grasp the Sparrow’s
Tail

2. The song of the 8 energies are
taken from this book, translated
by Douglas Wile and part of the
Yang family oral transmissions.

4. The 8 Energies of Tai chi
Peng - Go for it attitude
Lu - Total yielding
Ji - Turn a bad situation into
an advantageous one
An - Suck it in and spit it out
Cai - seize an opportunity like
an eagle
Lie - Every action has an
opposite and equal reaction
Zhou - Deal a crushing blow
if the opportunity presents
itself
Kao - Always resourceful
there is a way out from every
situation

6. The Song of Ward
Off (Peng)
What is the meaning of Peng energy?
It is like the water supporting a moving boat.
First sink the ch'i to the dan-t'ien,
then hold the head as if suspended from above.
The entire body is filled with springlike energy,
opening and closing in a very quick moment.
Even if the opponent uses a thousand pounds
of force,
he can be uprooted and made to float without
difficulty.

7. The Song of Roll Back (Lu)
What is the meaning of Lu
energy?
Entice the opponent toward you
by allowing him to advance,
lightly and nimbly follow his
incoming force
without disconnecting and
without resisting. When his
force reaches its farthest extent,
it will naturally become empty.
The opponent can then be let go
or countered at will.
Maintain your central equilibrium
and your opponent cannot gain
an advantage.

8. The Song of Press (Ji)
What is the meaning of ji
energy?
There are two aspects to its
functional use:
The direct way is to go to meet
the opponent and attach gently
in one movement.
The indirect way is to use the
reaction force like the rebound
of a ball bouncing off a wall, or
a coin thrown on a drumhead,
bouncing off with a ringing
sound.

9. How can we explain the energy of
Push?
When applied, it’s like water in
motion But with its softness there
is great strength.
When the flow is swift, the force
cannot Be withstood.
Meeting high places the waves
break over them, and
encountering low places they dive
deep.
The waves rise and fall,
And finding a hole they will surely
surge in.
The Song of Push (An)

10. The Song of Split (Lieh)
What is the meaning of Lieh
energy?
It revolves like a spinning
disc.
If something is thrown onto
it,
it will immediately be cast
more than ten feet away.
Have you not seen a
whirlpool form in a swift
flowing stream?
The waves roll in spiraling
currents. If a falling leaf
drops into it, it will suddenly
sink from sight.

11. The Song of Pull Down (Cai)
What is the meaning of pull cai
energy?
Like weighing something on a
balance scale, we give free play
play to the opponent’s force
whether great or small.
After weighing it we know its
lightness or heaviness.
Turning on only 4 ounces we can
weigh a thousand pounds.
If we ask what is the principle
behind this we discover it is the
function of a lever.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wE9GDo5P1As

12. The Song of Shoulder stroke (K’ao)
What is the meaning of K'ao energy?
Its method is divided into the
shoulder and back technique.
In Diagonal Flying Posture use
shoulder, but within the shoulder
technique there is also some use of
the back.
Once you have the opportunity and
can take advantage of the posture,
the technique explodes like pounding
a pestle.
Carefully maintain your own center.
Those who lose it will have no
achievement.

13. The Song of Elbow Strike (Zhou)
How can we explain the energy
of elbow strike?
Its method must be reckoned
with the 5 elements.
Yin/yang are divided above and
below, and full and empty should
be clearly distinguished.
The opponent cannot keep up
with our continuous movement,
And our explosive pouding is
even fiercer.
When 6 energies have been
thoroghly mastered, then the
applications will be infinite

15. Spiraling up and
spiraling down
interlocks the body
together
power and stability