Yin-Yang Hands in Tai Chi

In Tai Chi, the hands can be either Yin or Yang. When the hand is Yin, the wrist is curved and the palm is concave. When the hand is Yang, the wrist is flexed and the palm is open.

An example of the hands in a Yin state, at the top of the first movement of the Tai Chi form ‘Opening the Qi’.

Wrists are gently curved and the palms concave.

Sometimes, both hands are Yin or Yang at the same time. For example, both hands are Yin at the top of the first movement, ‘Opening the Qi’, and both hands are Yang in the pressing movement at the end of ‘Grasp Birds Tail’.

Often, one hand is Yin and the other is Yang. For example:

Ward Off: Front hand Yin, Rear hand Yang.

Roll Back: Rear hand Yin, Front hand Yang.

Squeeze: Front hand Yin, Rear hand Yang.

Single Whip: Front hand Yang, Back hand Yin.

Crane Spreads Wings: Top hand Yang, Bottom hand Yin.

Brush Knee and Twist Step: Front hand Yang, Rear hand Yin.

Cloud Hands: Top hand Yang, Bottom hand Yin.

An example of the hand in a Yang state at the end of the movement ‘Brush Knee and Twist Step’.

The wrist is flexed and the palm open.

The balance of Yin and Yang in the hands is dynamic and constantly changing. For example, in ‘Opening the Qi’, the hands gradually change to Yin as they rise and back to Yang as they descend.

A common error is to make sudden changes between Yin and Yang hand states. For example, in ‘Brush Knee and Twist Step’, the striking hand should gradually transition from Yin to Yang, reaching ‘Peak Yang’ at the end of the movement. However, it is common to see practitioners make a Yang hand at the start of the movement and then simply push their flexed palm forward. In this type of incorrect movement, the hand is known as a ‘dead hand’ and the striking force is lost.   

The gradual transition of Yin and Yang in the hands is also present in pushing hands. For example, in the single pushing hands method, the hand becomes Yang as it pushes forward to attack and Yin as it yields in response to the oncoming force.

Yin-Yang

Opposite, yet complimentary forces that manifest throughout Tai Chi Chuan.

Under heaven all can see beauty as beauty only because there is ugliness.

All can know good as good only because there is evil.

Therefore having and not having arise together.

Difficult and easy complement each other.

Long and short contrast each other;

High and low rest upon each other;

Voice and sound harmonise each other;

Front and back follow one another.

Lao Tzu – Tao Te Ching - Chapter 2.