The
fist, in Chinese martial arts usage “a boxing (fist fighting) system.”
Thus the martial art style, T'ai Chi Chuan, is “The Grand Ultimate
Fist” or the Boxing System based on the Great First Principle.
Yin 
Shady side, dark, secret, the female principle
Yang 
Sunny side, light, the male principle
It
is important to remember that everything and everyone has Yin and
Yang. The strength and balance of these forces is relative. So, though
men and women each have both Yin and Yang, males are relatively more
Yang and females relatively more Yin. In all humans, the physical body
is relatively Yang while the spirit and chi are relatively Yin. It is
best not to think of Yin and Yang as concrete, absolute entities,
but as more like magnetism or electricity that ebb and flow and
depending on the point of view, can be considered equally well Yin or
Yang at the same time.
Chi 
A
different symbol than used in T'ai Chi Chuan, this symbol means breath,
vapor, steam, the internal energy or life force that permeates and
animates all things (Heaven Chi, Earth Chi, Human Chi) and specially
living creatures. In Tai Chi we are trying to build up chi while
reducing reliance on physical strength.
Tan Tien (Dan Pien)
Located
about 1.5 – 2 inches below the navel and midway from front to back in
the core of the abdomen, this is the main location to exercise, store
and build Chi (internal energy). It is the center of balance in the
body.
Bai Hui
A node in the Chi system. The crown point of the head. You should imagine
you are suspended by string from this point.
Hui Yin
A node in the Chi system. The point at the bottom center of the body between
the legs.
Long Chuan
A node in the Chi system. The point in the hollows of the hand.
Yong Chuan
A node in the Chi system. The point at the Hollows of the feet.
Normal (Buddhist) Breathing
The
deep relaxed abdominal breathing as a singer might use. The abdomen
expands while inhaling and contracts while exhaling. This is the
preferred method for beginning students and those who practice T'ai Chi
for health and fitness, as the method tends to be more relaxing and
helps in releasing stress and sinking the chi and developing your root
to the earth.
Reverse (Taoist) Breathing
An
abdominal breathing technique in which the lower abdomen contracts
while inhaling and expands while exhaling. This method is most commonly
utilized to express martial power.
Sung 
Usually
translated relax, but a more correct English translation would be to let loose, loosen, or untie. This is
something every student needs to work on. The goal is relaxed, rolling,
fluid, balanced movement, with no hint of tension, hesitation, holding
back, or muscular tension. This does NOT mean limp. It is more like unclench
the muscles, don't be tense, and loosen and open the joints. Observe a cat moving around and it will
give you some idea of what you are aiming for.
Shen 
Spirit - Your vitality and liveliness. You attitude. martial spirit or will.
Ie (yi) (zhi) 
Mind - purpose; will; determination; to make up one's mind to pursue some object; to be bent on doing something.
The
mind leads your chi and directs your movements in T'ai Chi. The mind is
the key element in T'ai Chi training. Attentiveness and intent are
essential tools of chi development. Be attentive so that your vision
follows the active hand and the direction of your movement. Visualize
your energy flowing from your feet up through the body and into your
movement. Act with intent. Remain relaxed and fluid in body and
attentive in mind. Remember always “the mind leads the chi.
Kung (gong) 
Work or a time (period) of work
Fu 
Father's
Brother, Uncle, or Master. Thus kung fu (gong fu) is mastery of a
significant skill achieved after working diligently for a long time.
This is not the name of a particular martial art style. Rather it is
recognition that a person has achieved true greatness at some difficult
skill or profession, although conventionally it is used to refer to
martial arts skill.
