Wudang martial arts instruction uses Chinese anatomical terminology. When a teacher says "沉肩坠肘" (Chén Jiān Zhuì Zhǒu — sink the shoulders, drop the elbows), the student must know what 肩 and 肘 mean immediately. This article provides the essential body vocabulary used in daily training.

Head and Face (头面 Tóu Miàn)

头 (Tóu) — Head. The crown of the head, called Bǎihuì (百会), is a key acupuncture point and the reference for vertical alignment in all Wudang practice. The instruction "虚领顶劲" (Xū Lǐng Dǐng Jìn) — suspend the crown lightly — appears in virtually every form.

额 (É) — Forehead. Target area in combat and reference point for the upper Dāntián (上丹田).

眼 (Yǎn) — Eyes. In Wudang forms, the eyes follow the lead hand or the direction of intent. The instruction 眼随手动 (Yǎn Suí Shǒu Dòng) — eyes follow the hands — trains the coordination of vision and movement.

耳 (Ěr) — Ears. Listening (Tīng 听) in martial arts extends beyond the ears to the whole body's sensitivity, but auditory awareness remains part of combat readiness.

鼻 (Bí) — Nose. Central to breathing practice. Qìgōng breathing is performed through the nose unless specifically instructed otherwise.

嘴/口 (Zuǐ/Kǒu) — Mouth. Kept lightly closed during practice with the tongue touching the upper palate (舌抵上腭 Shé Dǐ Shàng È) — connecting the Rèn Mài and Dū Mài channels.

下巴 (Xiàba) — Chin. Kept slightly tucked to align the cervical spine and protect the throat.

Torso (躯干 Qūgàn)

脖子/颈 (Bózi/Jǐng) — Neck. Must remain relaxed and aligned. A stiff neck blocks energy flow between head and body.

肩 (Jiān) — Shoulders. The instruction 沉肩 (Chén Jiān, sink the shoulders) is among the most repeated corrections in training. Raised shoulders block power transmission and create tension.

胸 (Xiōng) — Chest. 含胸 (Hán Xiōng) — contain the chest — means the chest is slightly hollowed rather than puffed out. This relaxes the diaphragm and allows Qì to sink to the Dāntián.

背 (Bèi) — Back. 拔背 (Bá Bèi) — pull up the back — creates a slight rounding of the upper back that works together with 含胸 to open the space between the shoulder blades.

腰 (Yāo) — Waist/Lower back. The most frequently referenced body part in Wudang instruction. The waist is the master controller — 主宰于腰 (Zhǔzǎi Yú Yāo, mastered by the waist). Every technique is driven by waist rotation.

腹 (Fù) — Abdomen. Location of the lower Dāntián (下丹田). The center of gravity and the hub of Qì cultivation.

肋 (Lèi) — Ribs. Target area in combat, particularly in Wudang kicking techniques such as 通肋腿 (Tōng Lèi Tuǐ, rib-penetrating kick).

脊椎/脊柱 (Jǐzhuī/Jǐzhù) — Spine. The central structural axis. Must remain naturally aligned — neither rigid nor collapsed. The Dū Mài (督脉, Governing Vessel) runs along the spine.

胯 (Kuà) — Hip/Kua. The hip joint and surrounding region. 松胯 (Sōng Kuà, relax the hips) is essential for deep stances, power transmission, and the ability to turn the waist freely. The Kuà is where upper-body and lower-body power connect.

Upper Limbs (上肢 Shàng Zhī)

臂 (Bì) — Arm (whole).

上臂 (Shàng Bì) — Upper arm.

肘 (Zhǒu) — Elbow. 坠肘 (Zhuì Zhǒu, drop the elbows) keeps the elbows pointing downward, maintaining structural connection to the torso. The elbow is also a primary striking tool in Bājíquán (八极拳).

前臂 (Qián Bì) — Forearm. Used for blocking and deflecting (格挡 Gédǎng) in combat applications.

腕 (Wàn) — Wrist. Must be flexible for weapons practice and firm enough to maintain structure during contact. 坐腕 (Zuò Wàn, settle the wrist) creates a specific angle that transmits force through the palm.

手 (Shǒu) — Hand.

掌 (Zhǎng) — Palm. The primary striking surface in Bāguàzhǎng (八卦掌) and many Tàijíquán techniques.

拳 (Quán) — Fist. Formed with the fingers curled tightly and the thumb wrapped outside the fingers.

指 (Zhǐ) — Fingers. Used in Diǎnxué (点穴, vital point striking) and in specific hand shapes like the sword fingers (剑指 Jiàn Zhǐ) — index and middle fingers extended, the rest curled.

Lower Limbs (下肢 Xià Zhī)

腿 (Tuǐ) — Leg (whole). The 36 Wudang kicking techniques (腿法 Tuǐfǎ) are categorized by the part of the leg used and the direction of force.

大腿 (Dà Tuǐ) — Thigh. Provides the mass and power for stances and kicks.

膝 (Xī) — Knee. Must track over the toes in stances to prevent injury. 破膝腿 (Pò Xī Tuǐ, breaking-knee kick) targets the opponent's knee.

小腿 (Xiǎo Tuǐ) — Shin/Calf.

踝 (Huái) — Ankle. Flexibility here determines the depth of stances and the stability of standing postures.

脚 (Jiǎo) — Foot. The connection to the ground. 脚踏实地 (Jiǎo Tà Shí Dì, feet firmly on the ground) — rootedness begins here.

脚跟 (Jiǎogēn) — Heel. Power generation in many techniques begins with pressure through the heel into the ground.

脚尖 (Jiǎojiān) — Toes. 尖子脚 (Jiānzi Jiǎo, toe kick) is one of the 36 Wudang kicking techniques.

脚掌 (Jiǎozhǎng) — Sole of the foot. Location of the Yǒngquán (涌泉) acupoint — the lowest point of the Kidney channel and a key grounding reference.

Directional Terms in Movement

上 (Shàng) — Up, rise. 下 (Xià) — Down, sink. 前 (Qián) — Forward. 后 (Hòu) — Backward. 左 (Zuǒ) — Left. 右 (Yòu) — Right. 内 (Nèi) — Inward. 外 (Wài) — Outward.

These combine with body parts in instructions: 左转腰 (Zuǒ Zhuǎn Yāo, turn the waist left), 前踢腿 (Qián Tī Tuǐ, front kick), 外摆腿 (Wài Bǎi Tuǐ, outward swinging kick).