The Yin and Yang of the Three Nails

Taijiquan gets its name from the Tai Ji, the “Grand Ultimate” of Daoist philosophy. In Daoism, the Tai Ji is the Undifferentiated Wholeness that is born of the Wu Ji, the Undifferentiated Nothingness. When we become conscious of the Tai Ji, it becomes differentiated into polarities, the Yin and the Yang, whose interplay is the basis of all phenomena (“the ten thousand things”). 

A Taijiquan form gives us an opportunity to express this fundamental Daoist pattern through our

movements: Wu Ji > Tai Ji > Yin and Yang. We begin a form in Wu Ji by emptying out and quieting our minds as best we can. This creates a buffer between our busy lives and the form we are preparing to do. The next step is establish our Tai Ji, and become a coherent whole. (I do this by pointing and reaching with my index fingers to amplify my energetic coherence. Wholeness is disturbed by a chattering mind, so when we make a point of beginning in a state of energetic coherence, it much easier to focus on what is happening in the moment.)

Any Taijiquan form is a wholeness unto itself, but it is also composed of individual movements, sometimes called postures, which are wholenesses themselves. And each of those movements are expressions of Yin and Yang, done in a pattern that helps to mobilize the Qi and then express it. We begin each individual movement with a Yin contraction or closing, which allows for energy to be gathered. Each movement ends with a Yang expression of energy (punch, push, kick, etc.) Yang expressions are expansive and opening. Some postures are complex and include several Yin/Yang cycles, with the biggest expressions of Yin and Yang coming at the beginning and end of the movement, respectively. 

Yin and Yang of the Three Nails

My last four blogposts have focused on the Three Nails of Grandmaster William C. C. Chen. As discussed, these three points on the foot can have a powerful effect on your root, central equilibrium, and Qi-circulation. The heel-nail is the most Yin of the three, and is considered the “anchor” by Chen. I have found it extremely effective to make the heel-nail the most substantial when executing Yin postures. It establishes a firm foundation and prioritizes Yin Qi in your body. 

As the posture becomes more Yang, we engage the ball-nail by bringing more weight to it, and this amplifies the Yang, expansive Qi in the body. At the peak of Yang expression, it helps to press lightly with the bit toe-nail, which helps to raise the spirit (Shen). 

After the peak of Yang expression, the movements become Yin again in order to mobilize your Qi for the next Yang expression. 

Three Nails in “Spread Arms Like Fan”

We can see a simple example of this Yin/Yang relationship in this pared-down version of “Spread Arms Like Fan”: 

Yin: I mobilize my Qi by first sinking into the heel-nail of my left foot to establish my root. I release my left Kua and spiral down to the left. (Song Kua) My torso follows to the left and I open my shoulder joints by reaching with my elbows. This allows my Qi to fill my arms. I amplify my whole-body energetic connection (energetic coherence) by pointing my index fingers. 

 

Yang: I express my Yang Qi by engaging my ball-nail and turning my body to the right until I’m facing forward. As I turn, I slowly reach forward with my left wrist and rotate my right forearm. Lastly, I press down with my big toe as I reach out with the fingers of my left hand and extend the fingers of my right hand.  

 

Full Yang: I press down with my big toe as I reach out with the fingers of my left hand and extend the fingers of my right hand. This is the full Yang expression of the posture, and it is followed by the full Yin (heel-nail) of the next posture.

 

The following video demonstrates the application of the Three Nails in “Spread Arms Like Fan” from Grandmaster William C. C. Chen’s 60 Movements.