Lately, I have been coming across more and more references to the ‘Taiji Bell Body’. One explanation I have heard is to extend the dantien in front and the mingmen behind you in such a way that your body creates a bell shape. Ok.. sounds about right, but how?

Then, I ran across the following definition which outlines the 5 points that make up the Taiji Bell Body (Source: Yang 22 Movement Extract by Wei Shuren):

  1. Neck - The hoop that maintains the bell. Movable.
  2. Chest - ‘dead’ zone, unmovable
  3. Waist - central point, movable.
  4. Midpoint between waist and tailbone - unmovable
  5. Tailbone (Coccyx) - clapper of bell, movable

One thing about the 5 points caught my attention, that is the idea of the tailbone being movable. Maybe it’s a subtle movement, but in my own practice, I don’t consciously try to move my tailbone much at all. In fact, I generally try to keep it elongated as I’m working on the ‘head up, tailbone down’ bow in my own practice.

There is not that much information floating around the web regarding the Taiji Bell Body, so I am unsure about it’s significance.  Regardless, the concept of the “Taiji Bell Body” is something I will put on the back burner for now until I understand it. Practice, practice, practice :)