Wuji: The art of standing still…..

The word Wuji can be translated as, "without limit," or, "ultimate less," and it is a core concept in Chinese philosophy. It represents the universe before the emergence of Yin and Yang (Taiji), and symbolises infinity, emptiness, and pure potential. It is no coincidence that every Taiji and Qigong exercise begins and ends with a moment of Wuji. In fact, whatever style or system you study, I guarantee that you start with Wuji, because without it, there is no beginning or end and all movement becomes hollow, and without meaning. How we start and end our practice is everything. My teacher once said to me that how you start and end each routine is the purest expression of how much you have understood and the journey that you are on. So, here is my take on standing still and why it is the most important posture you will ever learn.

Start with your feet together, arms resting at your sides and your eyes looking forward as if gazing just over the horizon. Now, connect with your breath by taking a moment to be aware of the depth and rhythm of your breathing. Ideally, your breathing should be abdominal, deep and relaxed in nature. Next, we focus on the body by using our mind to visualise and align our posture.

1. Chin gently tucked in, just enough to feel that gentle stretch through our neck up to the crown of our head as if a silk thread is attached here and gently lifting you upwards.

2. Feel your shoulders sinking towards the ground as you visualise them letting go of their tension and at the same time be conscious of a gentle stretch across your back. This stretch is more like a suggestion of roundness as you simultaneously feel an empty relaxation across your chest.

3. Gently extend your fingers, just enough to feel a gentle stretch and possibly a ‘prickly’ sensation in the very tips of your fingers.

4.   Now tilt your pelvis a couple of degrees, not too much! Just enough to reduce the natural curvature of the spine and to feel a soft release of pressure down and across your lower back. This also results in what we call a ‘softening’ of the knees or in other words a slight bending of the knees as the muscles in your legs start to do more of the work in order to align your posture.

5. Feel the weight of your own body pressed against the ground beneath your feet.

6. In your mind see your ‘roots’ extending deep into the earth, connecting and grounding you. Now, try not to think about your posture, your breath or even the form you are about to practice. This is the nothingness through which the state of Wuji is attained.

By standing still we train our body, mind and spirit to be calm, and within this perfectly aligned stillness we create the conditions that allows Qi to circulate and resonate within our bodies. Now we are ready to begin.

Lao Tzu is often quoted with, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” It was once explained to me that this popular translation is not quite correct, in fact, it should read, “A journey of a thousand miles begins beneath one’s feet.” A subtle but quite profound difference, just like the opening stance, the difference may seem minor but in reality, it is vastly different. How you stand in preparation to begin your practice and that very first step is the essence of your form and should never be skipped over, rushed or ignored. Instead, compose your body and mind, then make that first step with purpose and poise. Wuji is, ‘The journey that begins beneath one’s feet.’ To begin your journey with ‘a single step’ is the same as starting to move without knowing which direction you are facing, so take your time and don’t be in a hurry! 

Through the study and practice of Taiji and Qigong we seek balance, relaxation, and a connection with the infinite potential of the universe. Next time you prepare to start something, take a moment to gather and prepare your thoughts and actions, take a deep breath and feel a wave of calmness flowing through you. Then, from within the stillness, embrace the moment that follows with peace in your heart knowing that you are in balance with everything. No matter where your journey takes you, embrace it and feel the joy within it. This is the essence of Taiji and it is found in the nothingness of Wuji.

Happy New Year!