缠法 Chán Fǎ

Chan fa is a spiraling method of force generation that is a basic principle of Taijiquan. It involves the sequential Rotation# of segments of the body in coordination to produce torque.

According to 陈鑫 Chén Xīn#, chan fa could be classified into as many as 12 different types: forward/retreating, left/right, top/bottom, inward/outward, positive/negative, and big/small:

其法有进缠、退缠、左缠、右缠、上缠、下缠、里缠、外缠、顺缠、逆缠、大缠、小缠。

In Practical Method#

洪均生 Hóng Jūnshēng# simplified this into two basic types: 顺缠 shùn chán and 逆缠 nì chán. They correspond to directions of rotation relative to the central axis of the body, just as clockwise is the direction of rotation relative to the clock face.

• In the torso:
  • Shun is when the torso turns left.
  • Ni is when the torso turns right.
• In the legs:
  • Shun is when the torso turns toward the leg, such that the knee raises.
  • Ni is when the torso turns away from the leg, such that the knee lowers.
• In the hands:
  • Shun is when the thumb turns outward, such that the palm turns upwards.
  • Ni is when the pinky turns outward, such that the palm turns downwards.