练拳要脚下生根。太极拳爱好者，要想入得太极大门，从脚下练起是太极拳入门功夫的必由之路，也是捷径。初学陈氏太极拳主要是培根，就好像树一样，根深才能叶茂，一棵大树失去了根，就会枯死。练太极拳脚下乱动，是根节不明，上边拳打的对也不对。因为太极拳的力是从root发起，too much force is used from the whole body.

要做到下盘稳固、foot bottom has root, 行拳时 foot should always pay attention to have five toes grab the ground, springing well at the Yongquan acupoint, keeping a stable center of gravity. Practice requires that your feet must be grounded firmly, without any random movement; ten toes grasp the ground only then can you achieve rooting down.

In daily life, it's not difficult to understand that like a heavily loaded vehicle, pushing it with just your hands is impossible; you must use your feet for power, through your feet, waist and hands' integrated force to push the vehicle forward.

一、How to Root Down

Understand mechanics and importance of rooting

The forces are always in pairs; only by pressing down on the ground (action force) can you borrow Earth's rebounding force (reaction force), thus becoming the source of strength. Therefore punching needs grounding and rooting down.

Understand too simplified 24-style Tai Chi Fist Teaching Route

《Fist Discussion》 says: "Force originates from feet, runs through legs and waist as mainstay and manifests in fingers." It clearly indicates that energy originates from feet; running through legs and waist as pivot point for changing between softness-hardness or vice versa; via abdominal muscles and chest-back coordination transferring energy to upper limbs' exertion points or via hip joints & femur transferring energy to lower limbs' exertion points.

(1) In Foot - First establish firm footing before generating strength.

(2) Originating in Legs - As leg muscles are most developed throughout body.

(3) Mainstay at Waist - Waist serves as central axis for transforming soft-hardness changes of strength practice while practicing all kinds of movements with waist control (or Dan Tian).

Manifests on Fingers

Finally transmitting & presenting in hand department.

5th line: The root lies in foot • From foot comes leg • And then back to complete one breath continuously —- this emphasizes continuous flow unbrokenly like Tai Chi itself does when practiced correctly but almost all practitioners believe starting training at hand or body level will make quick entry into Tai Chi world more easily yet this approach makes entry difficult indeed —— so we should strengthen training below-knee power more!

二、Note Following Matters:

Punching while inhaling focuses mind on both feet during punching time making sure five toes press onto floor surface while practicing punches ensuring full-body weight transfers onto ground effectively eliminating knee pain felt otherwise by avoiding putting weight on knees which would solve knee pain issues experienced during practice constantly monitoring two-foot virtual-real transformation process maintaining real stability based upon actual situation whereas achieving gradual development process across entire duration involving virtual-real transition within two-feet area using them accordingly successfully fostering powerful kicks rooted deep within earth foundation solidifying impact produced upon striking target thereby turning an opponent’s defense into offense ultimately culminating victory following successful implementation relying solely upon skillful mastery achieved through persistent effort over years cultivating ability deeply rooted such skills require constant refinement resulting strong stance capable overcoming adversary’s defensive moves rendering attacker superior gaining edge needed winning battle against foe