Cheng Man-ching Three Treasures of Tai Chi

I've been rereading some old books of mine. One of my favorites is "There are no secrets" - Wolfe Lowenthawl

Professor Chen said that one must relax and practice the three treasures to be doing Tai Chi. What are the three treasures?

1) Practice as if you are suspended from a string. The string is attached to the center of your head, right were the soft spot would be. This elongates the spine and allows chi to circulate freely. The spine in Toaist physiology is called the "Pilar of Heaven". This connects the body with heaven chi.

2) Connect with the bubbling well. Just behind the ball of the foot is a place called the bubbling well. This creates the root and connects the body with earth chi.

3) The third and most important. Professor Chen said that if one mastered this alone the rest wouldn't be needed. Chi must flow into the Tan Tien (according Professor Chen it is 1 inch below the navel and 3/7 through the torso.) until it fills up. Then it flows through the limbs and torso and eventually into the crown. This fills the body with spirit.

These three treasures are only useful if one relaxes. So RELAX!!