“Footwork” is not foot work!

 

FOOT WORK Video 

“In Classical Tai Chi the footwork is very involved” Master Stephen Hwa. 

In Classical Tai Chi, footwork isn't really about your legs—it is about your core. Instead of using your leg muscles to step or cross over, every movement starts deep in your abdomen and back.

Think of your core as the control center. When you want to take a step, you don't just lift your leg; you engage your center to lift your pelvis, which naturally brings your leg up with it. 

 

Your upper body stays completely still and relaxed. As you step forward, your pelvis lowers until your foot is flat on the floor. Once your sole touches the ground, your internal core muscles smoothly pull your entire body forward into the next stance.

In Classical Tai Chi, as you see in the video, do not shift any body weight onto the foot that is stepping until you place the foot securely on the ground. Establish a solid connection before moving any weight forward.

This is describing one of the most fundamental principles of classical Tai Chi footwork: maintaining an empty and full foot while ensuring absolute stability before transferring your weight. 

The Mechanics of Stepping

Empty Step: As you shift your weight into one leg (making it the "full" leg), the other leg becomes "empty" and entirely free of weight. 

Reach: You extend the empty foot gently outward—most often placing the heel down first. 

Root: Flatten that leading foot before shifting your body weight forward. 

Weight Shift: Once you have a secure connection with the lead foot, shift your weight. 

The Role of Toes 

Connecting with the floor evenly distributes your weight across the heel, the ball of the foot, and the base of the toes. This activates what is often translated as "Bubbling Well," located on the sole near the base of the second and third toes, which is critical for rooting your energy. 

Sense the ground contact with the bottom of the foot and DO NOT forcefully tighten and/or claw the ground with the toes. Tensing the feet or toes too tightly can lock the ankle and raise your overall body weight, which defeats the purpose of sinking and rooting. Think of it as a "suction cup," or a relaxed, heavy spreading of the sole against the floor.