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One of the 13 points is "perineum pointing down to balance beam line".
One of the basic concepts reads "...This stance is dynamic, with shifting and opening and closing, however for most exercises the weight distribution remains 50/50."
Question - when practicing basic exercises such as absorb and project (hands up and down), horizontal plane (upper hand wipe; vertical rolling hand), is there much forward - backward movement there? If so, to what extent does your stance deviate from 50/50 distribution (60/40, 70/30)?
Also, does your perineum always point down to the balance beam line, or does it ever deviate?
Cheers.
Thanks, Peter.
I ask because I don't see how shifting weight violates any of the 13 points.
You mentioned a "solid yet dynamic stance", and moving backward and forward.
So while practicing vertical rolling hand (for example), do you shift to the back foot on absorb and shift to the front foot on project?
Or are you more or less keeping the 50/50 shape?
Ian,
< I ask because I don't see how shifting weight violates any of the 13 points.
You've totally lost me here. Where did you get the idea that shifting weight violates the 13 points? It doesn't - but you do need to maintain all the points as the weight shifts.
Peter
Ah ok.
So given that weight shifting is fine so long as you maintain the 13 points, what is the correct weight distribution in the basic exercises?
For vertical rolling hand or upper hand wipe, do you alternate shifting your weight to the front and back foot, or do you maintain a 50/50 distribution?
< So given that weight shifting is fine so long as you maintain the 13
points, what is the correct weight distribution in the basic exercises?
It doesn't matter. Just maintain the 13 points and be aware of your limits.
When you get to Basic Exercise #12, you'll have a chance to focus more on hip rolls and shifting weight.
Peter
Got it. Thanks!
If so, to what extent does your stance deviate from 50/50 distribution (60/40, 70/30)?
I'd like to add something here just because Sifu (Master Sam FS Chin) was just here and we did discuss something related that really made an impact on me (given that I'm actively pursuing my level 6 cert.)
If I understand Sifu correctly the weight distribution should NEVER change from 50/50 (outside of kicking, or stepping maybe).
This might be kinda hard to understand but it doesn't mean that you can't have a front stance or back stance, but that the weight is still 50/50. if the weight distribution changes to say 60/40, it means you've lost the tai chi balance on the feet and the feet are no longer supporting the body, but you've moved into "sitting on the feet" instead.
One thing that dawned on me while listening to Sifu speak about the subject is that whether solo training or partner training, you should never feel that the pressure on the feet increases in any way (feet merely touching the floor).
I asked Sifu to confirm this and his answer was "Yes, if you can, that is the best".
Also, does your perineum always point down to the balance beam line, or does it ever deviate?
as Peter already mentioned, in order to have the 13 points harmonized the perineum should remain over the balance beam line.
once you learn to maintain the harmony, you can then break it too (for neutralizing, etc.) so it's all about the awareness of what you're doing with your body and for what purpose.
If I understand Sifu correctly the weight distribution should NEVER change from 50/50 (outside of kicking, or stepping maybe).
This might be kinda hard to understand but it doesn't mean that you can't have a front stance or back stance, but that the weight is still 50/50. if the weight distribution changes to say 60/40, it means you've lost the tai chi balance on the feet and the feet are no longer supporting the body, but you've moved into "sitting on the feet" instead.
Now that is a really interesting way of putting it. I had never thought of it that way. I tried to shift my weight and was having a tough time of it. When I shift my weight, the sensation of my body supported on top of the center of the hip joints disappears, I start losing the feeling of the 9 solid/1 empty, and the balance of absorb/project to the feet vanishes.
One thing that dawned on me while listening to Sifu speak about the subject is that whether solo training or partner training, you should never feel that the pressure on the feet increases in any way (feet merely touching the floor).
That's tough in partner training. Guess that means I need to train more. 
Hi Ian,
Welcome to the ILC forum. I'll take a stab at answering your questions.
When practicing ILC, I focus more on maintaining the 13 points than thinking about whether my stance is 50/50 or 30/70 or whatever. If your 13 points are aligned, you can be pretty sure you've got a solid yet dynamic stance - and this is true whether you are standing or moving backwards or forwards.
< does your perineum always point down to the balance beam line, or does it ever deviate?
It should always point down to the balance beam line - if it doesn't, you are no longer maintaining your 13 points, and your partner will find it easy to unbalance you.
Peter