Origins of the Taiji Ruler and an Introduction to Practice Methods

According to some accounts, the origins of the Taiji Chǐ (太極尺) – Taiji Ruler, also written as Tai Chi Ruler, go back to the Huangdi Neijing (黃帝內經) – The Yellow Emperor’s Classic on Internal Medicine.

One theory traces the origins of the Taiji Ruler to Chen Tuan (陳摶, 871 – 989), who lived in seclusion on Mount Hua (華山). Legend says that the first emperor of the Song Dynasty (宋朝, 960–1279), Zhao Kuangyin (趙匡胤), whose imperial name was Song Tai Zu (宋太祖), received the secret transmission of the Taiji Ruler by Chen Tuan and later passed down the secrets to his descendants.

Chen Tuan is the same Mount Hua recluse who is credited as the founder of Liuhe Bafa (六合八法) and was given the imperial honorific name of Chen Xiyi (陳希夷). As with Liuhe Bafa, there is no verifiable proof that Chen Tuan transmitted the Taiji Ruler, and much less that Emperor Tai Zu received the instruction from him.

Based on my research, it seems that the Taiji Ruler methods that have been transmitted to modern times derive from the teaching and published works of Zhao Zhongdao (赵中道, 1844-1962). Of special significance is the book Taiji Chi Yan Jiu (太极尺研究) – Taiji Ruler Research, which was published in Hong Kong in 1961 by one of Zhao Zhongdao’s disciples.

Zhao Zhongdong lived to be 118 years old and for his whole life he advocated the practice of the Taiji Ruler and other soft arts.

Note: In the opening paragraph I placed the third Pinyin tone on Chǐ (尺) – Ruler. I did so to distinguish it from the Jí (极) in the pronunciation of Taiji which uses the second Pinyin tone. This is especially important when the art is spelled Tai Chi.

My Experience

My first exposure to the Taiji Ruler was with Master Bun Piac Chan, commonly referred to as B. P. Chan, in the 1980s, and later with one of his students, David Pancarician, when I invited him to my school in Florida in the 1990s. I learned some fundamental exercises then and continued to expand my practice and research over the years.

Note: B. P. Chan’s Chinese name is Chan Wen Bai (陳文白). Bun Piac Chan is the Hokkien dialect pronunciation. Master Chan was born in Fujian province in 1922 and passed away in New York City in 2002 at the age of 80.

The Taiji Ruler should not be confused with the Taiji Bang (太极棒) – Taiji Stick. They are different in shape as well as in practice, and are of different sizes. A Taiji Ruler should be sized to the height of the practitioner and averages between 11 to 13 inches in length. The Bang is usually longer and can range up to 17 inches.

Photos of the Taiji Ruler and Taiji Stick

Finding a Taiji Ruler that fits your body type is difficult because nowadays they are mass produced. This should not dissuade you from practice. What matters most is the proper methodology of practice.

Since I have no experience with the Taiji Bang, other than what I have noted above, I will focus on the Taiji Ruler and provide some fundamental information.

The photos provided above for the Taiji Ruler and the Taiji Stick show just one example of the shapes, which can vary, especially with the latter, and can be straight or more decorative.

Taiji Ruler Methods of Practice

The Taiji Ruler methods of practice that I learned from Master Chan and David Pancarician have many similarities to those handed down by Zhao Zhongdao and his direct disciples. I believe that this is not mere coincidence. My practice has evolved over the years, and I have learned new exercises that I have incorporated into my training routine.

The standard practice method with the Taiji Ruler is in an upright position. But practice can be done from a seated or prone position. I prefer the standing method, but seated practice can also be beneficial. Prone practice should be carried out by people who are overcoming an illness or who may be too weak to stand or sit upright for a prolonged period.

Basic Rocking exercise without the Taiji Ruler

This is the first practice method I learned from Master B. P. Chan.

Place the feet in the manner shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2

Place the left middle finger on the He Ding (鹤顶) – Crane Summit acupoint, which is just above the patella (kneecap). The Lao Gong (勞宮) – the center of the left palm, known as the Labor Palace acupoint, rests on the Fu Tu (伏兔) – the Crouching Rabbit acupoint.

Place the heel of the right palm at the inguinal fold so that the Lao Gong acupoint rests on the Gi Guan (髀关) – Thigh Gate acupoint. This position causes the body to slant slightly forward.

Raise the heel of the right foot slightly off the ground as you rock forward.

Raise the toes of your left foot slightly off the ground as you rock back and come to rest on the rear heel.

Place the tip of the tongue on the Magpie Bridge by the front upper gums and breathe smoothly. Perform this action gently for several minutes and repeat on the opposite side by simply stepping forward and changing the hand positions.

This rocking action is repeated with many of the Taiji Ruler exercises so it is advised that you learn it well before moving on to the following exercises.

Note: The precise location of the acupoints cited above can be easily found by doing a Google search.

Note: I often wondered why it was important to place the hands and fingers at specific places, but at that time, I lacked the wisdom to ask. I learned about these acupoints during practice and experiencing various sensations. This led me to ask questions and conduct my own research. The acupoints mentioned above are of significance and should be studied.

Preparation and Closing Posture

Stand upright with heel together and toes pointing outward. Hold the Taiji Ruler on your right palm, centered on the Lao Gong acupoint. Take 3 to 5 breaths before moving on to the next exercise.

This is the beginning and ending position for all Taiji Ruler Exercises. You should begin and end in a composed and calm manner. See Fig. 7.

Holding the Taiji Ruler

Stand upright with the heels together and toes turned out. Place one end of the Taiji Ruler in your right palm and take several breaths.

Place your feet in the position described above and bring the Taiji Ruler to rest on the two Lao Gong Points.

Using the same rocking action described in Method #1. Lower the Ruler as you rock forward and raise the Ruler as you rock back. Repeat for several minutes in a smooth and even action before switching to the other side. See Fig. 8.

Exercise #1 – Tuo Tian An Di (托天按地) – Shake the Heavens and Push the Earth

From Fig. #8 assume the same feet position described in Fig. #2

As you shift the weight and rock forward, lower the Ruler downward in Push The Earth. As you shift the weight and rock backward, raise the Ruler upward in Shake the Heavens.

Exercise #2 – Tuo Tian An Di in Ziran Bu (自然步) – Natural Stance

This exercise is a variation of the previous one and is practiced in a Zhan Bu – Natural Stance, in an upright position position with the feet shoulder width apart. It has a different starting foot placement.

Note: This exercise can be performed in a seated position, or in a prone position on your back with your head resting on a small pillow.

Exercise #3. Fan Che (翻車) – Forward and Downward Loop

Place your feet in the same position shown in Fig. 5 & Fig. 6.

Begin by holding the Taiji Ruler at waist level and circle the Taiji Ruler forward and downward as you rock forward on your toes. Continue the circular motion upward as you rock backward on your heels. Switch sides after a few minutes of practice.

This rotation should only be practiced in a forward and downward pattern and can also be practiced in the Zhan Bu – Natural Stance.

Closing Remarks

This post is meant as an introduction to the Taiji Ruler. The exercises described above are easy to learn and serve as a gateway to more advanced practice. Do not try to coordinated the breathing with the movement. Just breathe naturally and don’t force your breath.

Note; The names for the exercises are my own. Most derive from Qi Gong or Gong Fu skills that have similar actions.