1. WHAT

Keeping the body upright is a basic requirement for our Tai Chi.

Keeping the body level complements the upright body structure.

2. METHOD

The method for keeping the body upright is very simple – look straight ahead.

3. LEARNING OBJECTIVE

Keeping the body level enables us to move and turn quickly with good balance.

It also forces us to keep our eyes at the opponent in front of us.

4. COMMENTARY

Keeping the body level by looking ahead seems easy to do and it is.

However, keeping your eyes looking ahead at all times is immensely difficult to do even for season practitioners and masters.

The temptation to look down at the feet is always there. I would say that 99 out of 100 practitioners would not be able to keep their eyes looking levelly.

5. CONCLUSION

The requirement of levelness is one of those underestimated principal of the body structure in our Tai Chi.