Every Tai Chi and Karate body and hand ‘attitude’ and shape can be considered a mudra.

Mudras are internal actions, involving the pelvic floor, spine, joints, cavities, diaphragm, throat, eyes, tongue, anus, genitals, abdomen, and other parts of the body and the energy of these actions are then expressed through the hands. In Tai Chi it is said that’s its important to have ‘beautiful hands’.

All the hand shapes in Tai Chi are categorised in the Karate kata ‘Tensho’ also known as ‘Rokkisho’, ‘Heavenly Palms’ or ‘Spirit Hands’. The ‘6 Hands’ of Tensho represent the ‘5 Animals’ and are grafted on to the kata ‘Sanchin’ (resolution of the conflict of 3 being mind, breath and body) that trained the internal system described above.

The ritual movements in Tai Chi stimulate, store and release energy and it is expressed through the hands, the shapes cup, open, stretch and close the palms, being manipulated by the fingers and the ‘gates’ and flow of energy is controlled by the angles of the wrist.

Something worth the attention and study of any martial artist.