The culmination of physical Song is not merely local release in muscles (jīròu 肌肉), joints (guānjié 關節), or fascia (jīnlào 筋絡), but the harmonization of the entire body into a single elastic unit. Zhěngtǐ sōng (整體鬆) means the whole frame (gǔjià 骨架) and connective web (jīnmó wǎng 筋膜網) are suspended in balance, so that any force entering one part is immediately absorbed, redistributed, and expressed through the whole. 

Classical Image

The body becomes like a sphere — soft on the outside, resilient on the inside, able to absorb, redirect, and emit force in any direction. As the classics say:

• “When one part moves, nothing does not move; when one part is still, nothing is not still” (一動無有不動，一靜無有不靜, yī dòng wú yǒu bù dòng, yī jǐng wú yǒu bù jǐng”).

• “The body moves like a corded bow, each segment connected and alive, transmitting force without interruption” (周而不斷, zhōu ér bù duàn).

Every movement originates from the root (gēn 根) in the feet and travels through the skeletal frame, joints, and fascial chains to the extremities, allowing intention (yì 意) to manifest seamlessly in action.

Continuity of Force (勁貫 jìn guàn)

In classical language, this is “shàng xià xiāng suí” (上下相隨) — the upper and lower follow each other. The body becomes continuous (lián 貫), where jìn (勁, trained force) is never isolated but flows unbroken from feet (zú 足) through legs (tuǐ 腿), waist (yāo 腰), spine (jǐzhù 脊柱), arms (bì 臂), and hands (shǒu 手). This is the realization of “jìn yóu dǐ gēn fā” (勁由地根發) — “force issues from the root in the ground.”

Central Axis and Suspension (中軸與懸 zhōngzhóu yǔ xuán)

Whole-body Song requires a liberated central axis (zhōngzhóu 中軸), where the spine aligns vertically while each joint “hangs” from above, like beads suspended on a thread (zhū lián 珠連). This is reinforced by the principle of xūlíng dǐngjìn (虛靈頂勁) — the crown point Baihui (bǎihuì 百會) lightly suspended upwards, creating natural decompression through the entire body. Modern mechanics describe this as axial elongation combined with gravitational loading — a dynamic tensegrity column, not a rigid rod.

Dynamic Equilibrium (動態平衡 dòngtài pínghéng)

The body maintains a continuous adaptive balance: any external force — whether from gravity, stepping, or a partner — is absorbed, redistributed, and expressed without collapse or stiffness. This dynamic equilibrium allows the practitioner to:

• Root effectively (gēn 根), sinking weight into the ground while remaining supple.

• Yield and redirect incoming force without resistance, transforming potential collisions into spiraling energy.

• Maintain structural integrity, keeping the central axis aligned and the fascial-muscle network coordinated.

In practical terms, dynamic equilibrium is the living experience of zhěngtǐ sōng: the body is not a fixed structure but an elastic, responsive system, able to adapt instantly while preserving both resilience and power.

Three Harmonies (三合 sān hé)

Zhěngtǐ sōng manifests in the alignment of the “Three External Harmonies” (wài sān hé 外三合):

• Hands (shǒu 手) with feet (zú 足)

• Elbows (zhǒu 肘) with knees (xī 膝)

• Shoulders (jiān 肩) with hips (kuān 髖 / kuà 胯)

And the “Three Internal Harmonies” (nèi sān hé 內三合):

• Heart (xīn 心) with intent (yì 意)

• Intent (yì 意) with qi (qì 氣)

• Qi (qì 氣) with strength (lì 力)

These harmonies cannot be realized without the structural continuity provided by zhěngtǐ sōng.

Modern Mechanics

From a contemporary viewpoint, whole-body integration entails:

• Kinetic chain efficiency — eliminating “energy leaks” where force dissipates due to misalignment.

• Biotensegrity coherence — fascia, muscles, and joints forming a unified elastic web.

• Proprioceptive unification — the nervous system treating the body as one coordinated structure rather than separate parts.

Practical Training (實修 shíxiū)

• Integrated Form Practice: Perform slow Taiji sequences while consciously feeling energy flow from the feet (zú 足) through the legs (tuǐ 腿), waist (yāo 腰), spine (jǐzhù 脊柱), arms (bì 臂), and hands (shǒu 手). Focus on continuity of force (jìn guàn 勁貫) rather than isolated joint or muscle movements.

• Zhan Zhuang with Suspension: Stand in postures emphasizing vertical elongation (zhōngzhóu 中軸), imagining each joint suspended on the fascial web. Slightly shift weight to sense how force is absorbed and redistributed across the whole body.

• Three Harmonies Awareness Drills:

  • • Hands with feet: feel connection from palm to sole.

    • Elbows with knees: sense alignment during stepping and rotation.

    • Shoulders with hips: coordinate upper and lower body as a single chain.

• Elastic Spiral Transmission: Use small spiraling pulses through the limbs to feel how pre-tensioned fascia and muscles transmit force seamlessly.

• Partner Feedback Exercises: Light pushes or guided interactions to test whether energy flows without sticking, jamming, or dissipation. Observe if the body reacts as a whole, not in segments.

• Dynamic Integration Flows: Move continuously from one posture to another, focusing on maintaining zhěngtǐ sōng throughout, with central axis elongation, suspended joints, and elastic rebound at each step.