Your tai chi moves are only as good as you can direct your internal energy (qi) and vector the energy of gravity. The secret to healing and protecting your knees (which also empowers the martial applications of tai chi) requires that you learn to move from your kua. “Kua” refers to the inside hip crease where your legs attach to your torso. It’s called the “inguinal crease” in western anatomy. Kua turning is not just used in tai chi, but also in the internal kung fu styles of baguazhang and xingyiquan. Watch the short video, below, to help you understand this. Then, take action and practice it.
“Kua Turning” – Protect & Heal Your Knees in Tai Chi, While Strengthening Your Tai Chi Moves
by Loretta Wollering | Mar 8, 2012 | Protect & Heal Your Knees, Tai Chi How To, Tai Chi Principles and Power | 6 comments
Very instructive exercise. Will use it in class today as our tai chi school is focusing on the movement of the hips.
I love your teaching. Am told that I need half knee replacement and am really worried about it. Always been fit and walk miles every day. Have a mini trampoline on which I do close chain bounce which helps to keep my body fit. Need more new exercises now I can’t do the usual once due to osteoarthritis in knees and hands. I love your approach. Thanks for advising on knee circles I have done in the past
Always get several opinions before surgery – but sometimes people really need it and do very well afterwards. It is always good to research and ask lots of questions. Let us know how it goes!
Let me know how it goes! Feel free to share this video clip with your class if it helps. 🙂
Do you have more moves related to healing the knees?
Also sign me up.
Tai chi has been used in China for many centuries – it will strengthen the whole body, along with the knees. The key is to do it correctly. Especially the twist steps. This is something we teach online and in-person. Also, try this – it is very simple, yet amazingly effective:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3ChZziyU6Q