Which Way is South? Telling Directions in Wu Hao Taichi
In the Wu Hao world, one of the things that can prove confusing in the early learning process is figuring out directions, i.e., which way you are supposed to be pointing for a given move. Even when watching the form performed in a video, it can get confusing trying to figure out which way the practitioner is pointing, especially when the background has no linear visual references or when the cameraman suddenly changes camera angles. In all Wu lineages one faces at various times all four cardinal directions (NSEW) and the 1/2 steps in between. Thus the full retinue of directions in Wu (Hao) Taichi would be North (0°), Northeast (45°), East (90°), Southeast (135°), South (180°), Southwest (225°), West (270°), and Northwest (315°). Seems easy enough, though it might require more thought for some than others depending on their compass experience and general way of handling directions. The first question that arises then is what are those compass directions in relation to? Is Nor...
.jpg)
