I have always thought that I understood opening/closing the kua.

My understanding was that if the hip was

in internal rotation, then it was closed. Conversely, if the hip was in external rotation, then it was open.
However, when you said in class that during Parting the Wild Horse’s Mane that the weighted leg’s kua was
closed, it made me question my definition. I agreed that it felt closed, but both hips were actually externally
rotated, so why did it feel closed? This led me down a rabbit hole exploring the movement of the hip and what
open/close really means.
Explanation of all possible physical movement at the hip joint:
There are 3 planes of motion for the hip joint:
Front plane:
Flexion (leg/foot lifts forward or knee bends with foot on floor)
Extension (leg lifts backward or leg stretches behind body with foot on floor)
Side plane:
Adduction (leg crosses other leg or steps across the other)
Abduction (leg lifts to side or steps to side)
Horizontal plane:
Internal Rotation (leg/foot rotates inward)
External Rotation (leg/foot rotates outward)

My “new” understanding of open/close positions based on anatomy has changed to:

• Closing of the kua would occur in forward flexion, side adduction, and internal rotation. The hip joint
would feel “scrunchy”, with the front of the thigh touching the abdomen or other leg.
• Opening of the kua would occur in backward extension, side abduction, and external rotation. The thigh
would not be touching anything.
This leads me to a “new” understanding of the function of closed and open:
Function of “Closed” – Used (1) to store/gather energy or (2) to stabilize.
• Functionally, my assignments for “closed kua” (flexion, adduction, internal rotation) are used in
preparation for jumping or kicking. The legs are compressed and the hips are closed, storing energy up
like a spring.
• However, these same positions can be used to stabilize the hip joint while the upper body strikes
something, like a door closing shut against a door frame instead of swinging freely.
Function of “Open” – Used (1) to allow the flow/transfer of energy or (2) to allow mobility in order for (and
not prevent) the other kua to close.
• Functionally, my assignments for “open kua” (extension, abduction, external rotation) are used to
generate the motion for jumping or kicking. The stored energy in the leg (spring) is released through
the hip, turning it into kinetic energy.
• However, these same positions can also allow more mobility in the opposite kua so that it can compress
even more, instead of being tight and preventing the other hip from closing, like a well oiled hinge
allows a door to fully open.
So what happens when there is a composite movement in one, two or three planes of movement?
A. Straight forward examples:
1. Left front bow stance with the hips facing forward: The front left leg is in flexion (closed) and the back
right leg is in extension (open). There is no rotation of the front leg and a slight external rotation of the
back leg (open). So the front left kua is closed and the back right kua is open.
2. In Wave Hands Like Clouds with the feet close together: When the waist rotates to the right, the right hip
is internally rotated and the left hip is externally rotated. So the right hip is closed and the left hip is open.
B. Transitional movement examples with neither or both kuas closed/open:
1. Parallel stance: Feet are hip distance apart, with the legs parallel straight. There is no rotation,
flexion/extension, or abduction/adduction. So the hips are in neutral, neither open nor closed.
2. Half step with toes turned inward during White Crane Spreads Wings: The right foot steps forward/inward
and then the weight shifts through center going when the arms go from left to right. Both hips are
internally rotated and flexed. So both hips are closed.
3. In horse stance with no rotation (center position) in Wave Hands Like Clouds: Both legs are abducted
(open) and flexed (closed). In a moderate stance, they should cancel each other and be in neutral.
However, a narrower stance with a deep squat would have composite closed kuas, while a wider stance
with a small squat would have composite open kuas.
C. Composite movement examples:
1. Left modified bow stance: Left front leg is flexed (closed) and right back leg is extended (open). Hips are
rotated, not in line with the front or back leg, meaning that both legs are externally rotated (open). So the
front kua is composite/relatively closed (closed + open) compared to the back kua that is
composite/relatively open (open + open). This is why the front kua seems closed!
2. Sit back/roll back: Back leg is flexed (closed) and hip joint is internally rotated (closed). Front leg is
extended forward (hip flexed – closed) and hip joint is externally rotated (open). So the back kua is
composite/relatively closed (closed + closed) compared to the front kua that is composite/relatively open
(closed + open).
Some people may not have enough body awareness to “feel” an open or closed kua, but there are some clues to
take notice of:
• In general, if the stance feels “comfortable”, the kuas are probably neutral, with movement in the three
planes canceling out the opening and closing.
• If it feels like an effort to keep the knee over the foot (prevent it from falling inward, like the front leg in
roll back), then that hip probably has an open kua.
• If the thigh feels like it is touching the abdomen or other leg (or you can hold a pencil in the crease), then
the hip probably has a closed kua (like the back leg in roll back).
The above discussion is in reference to stationary/non-moving stances. The dynamics of open/close are more
complicated, particularly when trying to teach the concept.
Stationary absolute view – very limited and not helpful for generating force
• One kua open, one kua closed
• Both kuas open (transitional) or both kuas closed (transitional)
• Both kuas are neither opened nor closed/ neutral (transitional)
Stationary relative view – better at relating and integrating the two kuas, but still does not address the
dynamics of movement
• One kua is more open than the other, or one kua more closed than the other
• Both kuas are open (transitional) or both kuas are closed (transitional)
• Both kuas are neither opened nor closed/ neutral (transitional)
Dynamic view – simpler, because it includes transitional positions while opening and closing, as well as
reinforcing the idea of continual movement and change between Yin and Yang
• One kua opening while the other kua is closing
• One kua closing while the other kua is opening
Here are some quotes concepts from various sources:
The definition of Kai-He and general concept:
• “Kai” means open, while “He” is usually translated as “connect”, bring together” or to “correlate”.
• Kai-He could also be called “disconnect-connect” or “loosen up to stabilize”.
• The “Kai” movement opens the body and allows Qi to flow. “He” means connecting the body to let the Qi
flow to and through the limbs. Simply stated, they mean: “Opening the flow and connecting it to the
limbs”.
• “Open is not a position; it is a mobility.”
• Openness in the kua is the ability to move freely. It is not locked or solid. Conversely, closed is when there is
“stiffness” or connectedness through that joint. Closed is when it is solid.
Teri’s Note: So there is more than one definition of open and close. Here is an example using my definition and
function: In Brush Knee Push Step, you prepare by closing the kua of the back leg to gather energy into the
compressed leg (like squatting when preparing to jump). The front kua opens to allow the waist to turn into the
compressed leg. Then as the weight shifts to the front foot and the back kua opens, the stored energy in the
back leg is transmitting through the back kua to the upper body, where it can be sent out through the hand. At
the same time, the front kua becomes more stable by closing, so that the kinetic energy being released in the
upper body has a foundation (like a sling shot not moving).
Taiji and Yin/Yang principle:
• In Tai Chi, when one body part Opens, another Closes. Remember that alone, Open or Close do not mean
anything. One needs the other.
• Open and Close mean nothing without each other. You cannot measure “Open” without something being
Closed and vice versa. This is the case with the kua – one cannot be Open without the other being Closed.
Teri’s Note: Regarding above statements, there is always a transition period where both are neutral, open or
closed. However, when either sending out a force or neutralizing an incoming force, then one would be open
and the other would be closed.
Faulty Movement or Problems Feeling Open and Close:
• Restriction to greater ranges of movement is often thought of as a syndrome caused solely by tight muscles,
but self-generated restrictions in movement may be more likely due to not addressing antagonistic
(opposite) pairs of muscles. To contract and close one muscle, a corresponding opposite muscle relaxes
and opens. [This is called reciprocal inhibition.]
Teri’s Note: Stretching a muscle makes it longer, while contracting a muscle makes it shorter. If you
consciously contract a muscle by trying to close a joint while simultaneously trying to stretch it out using the
other leg, the muscle/joint will seem to be tight or restricted. But in reality, it is your own mind giving
conflicting instructions to the body that is restricting it.
For example, biceps and triceps are opposite muscles that cause opposite movement. Biceps flex the arm and
triceps extend the arm. If you squeeze the biceps while at the same time try to pull the forearm down with your
other hand, then you are trying to do two things at once. This is self-generated restriction. In the hip joint, the
opposite muscle pairs are hip flexors/extenders, adductors/abductors, and internal/external rotators. I would
call trying to use opposite muscles at the same time “double weighting of the mind”.
Song (relax) will help to open one kua and allow the opposite kua to have greater mobility. For example, in
Grasp Bird’s Tail Roll Back, if there is tension or holding in the front kua, it will prevent the closing of the back
kua. So not being able to turn the waist in roll back may not be a problem with the mobility of the back kua…it
may be a problem with the front kua not releasing/relaxing.
Health ramifications and benefits:
• Therapeutically, considering that ligaments, tendons, and cartilage do not have blood vessels, physical
movement is required to exchange the bodily fluids that surrounds the joints to bring in nutrients.
Teri’s Note: Conversely, not opening and closing the joints will make them stiff and malnourished.
So, what does Chen Pan Ling say about Kai-He?
From the new 76 Fundamental Writings document:
13. One posture changes into another posture, and there is a transition [between the two]. A change of posture
is a change of Method [Fa]. A change of Method [Fa] is a change of Intent [Yi]. From a change of Intent
[Yi] comes a change of Qi. From a change of Qi comes a change of energy [Jing]. These are central to the
transformation [of energy]. Internally there is the utilization of your Intent [Yi] and Qi, while externally the
four limbs are opening and closing in close coordination.
21. The concept of Yin and Yang includes [the ideas of]: full/empty, hard/soft, gather/release, open/close,
advance/retreat, rise/fall, dodge/spin, and grab/throw.
35. When practicing boxing, opening and closing is the same as movement and stillness. Insubstantial and
substantial is the same as Yin and Yang. Every movement is nothing else but Yin and Yang changing,
insubstantial and substantial [changing] and opening and closing [changing].
47. In the practice of martial arts, you must distinguish between Yin and Yang. If you can practice the
harmony of Yin and Yang, then you can apply it freely according to heart’s desire. Those who are able to
harmonize the Yin and Yang aspects, (including substantial/insubstantial, open/close, hard/soft,
straight/circular, bent/straight) will be able to use it to become dominant.
From the Taijiquan book:
Section 1.5.1.3 - Circularity reduces the amount of [an incoming] force that will be received
Circularity facilitates movement, and circularity can transform [i.e., neutralize/redirect] incoming forces.
Therefore, circularity will receive the least amount of [an incoming] force. If you [move with] circularity like
a sphere, the volume is the sphere is the smallest. In martial arts, the smaller the posture, the better. The
smaller the volume, the less amount of force is received. The smaller the posture, the area of attack is also
smaller. When first starting [to learn] Taijiquan, seek to open and stretch [the postures]. Then afterward, seek
to be more compact. Open and stretched [postures] have big arcs, while compact postures have small arcs.
Therefore, when practicing Taijiquan, it is important to have big arcs. However, when doing applications,
you must use small arcs. The more skillful the practice of Taijiquan becomes, the smaller the arc will be.
Section 1.5.1.4 - The method of regulation the breath received
…As a result of practicing Taijiquan both continuously and softly, both slowly and evenly, bending and
stretching while opening and closing, [the breathing will become] extremely natural….
Section 2.16.1 – Open and Close:
In Taijiquan, the body, hands, waist and stepping all open, close, turn and change. They always move in a
circular shape, meaning the method of doing [the movement] is completely circular. In every movement, the
body as a whole [moves in] big circles, with big openings and big closes. [Conversely], the individual parts
[i.e., limbs of the body] move in small circles with small openings and closes. No matter what, every
advancing or retreating [action] is based on circular movement. Therefore, in every instance [the
movements] follow a spiral shape like that of reeling silk. In the Chen Family Village [Chen Jia Gou], this is
called "silk reeling energy".
Section 2.19- Lead Opponent’s Force to Void:
…Each action moves circularly, so as to have the following functions: half of the circle is used to
transform [i.e., neutralize] and the other half of the circle is used to attack. Therefore, each posture has
offensive and defensive [parts to it]. That is, it captures [the opponent's energy] and then sends it out.
Saying it another way, it transforms [i.e., neutralizes the opponent’s incoming momentum] and then sends an
attack [back out].
This is absolutely [the philosophical idea of] Taiji, [with the transitions between opposites being] invisible
and traceless. Moving [the opponent] invisibly, walking without [leaving] a trace. Opening and closing,
insubstantial and substantial. Yin and Yang. Abnormal and normal. Because you adapt and change
[according to the] opponent's [movement], the applications are endless.