One of my favorite students is very quiet. He inquired indirectly about the correct direction to face when practicing Tai Chi. Off the top of my head, I thought North. However, I didn’t want to pass on a possibly incorrect answer to him. Time for a blog!
I am sure that most of you know by now that there are numerous, conflicting opinions on just about every subject related to Tai Chi and/or Qigong. Some practitioners are dogmatic about facing a particular direction. Others state that any direction that feels right is a better choice than choosing a direction based on a theory.
Professor Chen Man Cheng supposedly stated that while practicing Tai Chi, “it was important to align with the planet”. In other words, we should face the pole in our hemisphere because our Qi/Chi would be affected by proper alignment. If we did this, we would experience clarity, and become more mentally sharp and alert. Therefore, if we are in the Northern Hemisphere, we should face North as a first choice. The goal is to align “our electromagnetic force” with that of the planet. Pull out your compass and check it!
Along the same line, Master Paul Dong, in his book The Four Major Mysteries of Mainland China, recommended facing North, because of the electromagnetic pull. He also recommended practicing when the magnetic pull was the strongest: between 11 am and 1 pm.
Most of us know that our planet has an electromagnetic system organized around the North and South poles. We also have an electromagnetic system of our own. In theory, facing the correct direction would have an influence on how practitioners feel as well, since Tai Chi opens us up to all energy, including that of the planet.
If this is true, if we lived in the Southern Hemisphere we should face South. If this assumption is correct, then the other directions would/should have the opposite effect. We would not align properly and would experience decreased clarity, mental sharpness, and alertness. Not very desirable. East would be our second choice, if we could not face the correct hemisphere.
As I mentioned above, not everyone agrees! Some masters recommend that you always try to begin the form facing North. However, some practitioners prefer facing west so that the sun is at their back, particularly in the morning.
Contrary to the above recommendations, according to some sources of traditional Tai Chi, the recommended direction to face is South. Your back is then to the North. The rationalization here is that “practice is often linked to the eight trigrams in Feng Shui and the interaction with the energy of the heavens”. However, modern interpretations usually suggest facing North, due to the Earth's magnetic pull.
In his Tai Chi book, Chee Soo (of Lee Tai Chi) directs, “stand facing South with your back facing North”. He does admit that you need to take into consideration your available practice space. Then any direction that is suitable will be fine. Well, ok!
Valid point: the best direction may be based on your preference, space, and the Tai Chi Form you are practicing.
What about the rest?
Many other practitioners feel that the direction in which you practice Form is rather arbitrary. You may feel more comfortable facing a different direction, or your practice space may not lend itself well to facing North. If you are not doing a solo Form, the room may not accommodate a larger class facing North. One may have to use the “longer” side of the room.
Sifu Anthony Korahais (Flowing Zen) has a complete different take on this. According to him, following the ancient Classics dictates is not always reasonable. Much has also been lost in the translation over the years. Therefore, his advice (should you choose to follow it) is to face whatever direction feels right and best to you. This could make a difference between facing a blank wall and facing a beautiful, calming scene. Feng Shui for your spirit, so to speak. You can definitely try different directions, but be practical and face the direction that feels right and comfortable to you.
Some change direction depending on the time of day:
You can face the direction that takes advantage of the longer side of your practice space. You can began the Form facing North. If practicing outside in the summer, you may want the sun at your back or side. Outside in the evening, maybe you want to face South or even West.
Many Qigong practitioners face the sun in the early morning, because they believe that “Heaven Qi can be absorbed from the sun as it rises”. In the evening, it might be beneficial to face South if you are in the Northern Hemisphere (or North if in the Southern Hemisphere), based on the belief that your Qi can align with the earth’s magnetic field. This would mean increased absorption of Earth Qi. Again, at other times, which direction is not as important.
What is traditionally believed when it comes to different organs?
East may help tight or congested Lungs, and strengthen a weak Liver,
West may calm an overactive Liver and strengthen weak Lungs,
North may strengthen weak Kidneys,
South may strengthen a weak Heart.
Bottom Line: If you are a new practitioner or not sensitive to such things at the moment, experimenting with the directions according to tradition or theory may actually be a good way to acquiring that sensitivity.
With practice, your sensitivity to such things will grow and you will naturally position yourself to face the most appropriate direction for you, which will be your predominant source of energy.
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