十三勢歌   (乾隆年代舊鈔)   The Song of theThirteenPostures  written during the Chien lun period   十三總勢莫輕視，  命意源頭在腰隙， Never neglect any of the thirteen postures; One’s will power comes from the waist;   變轉虛實須留意，  氣遍身驅不稍滯， Attend to the smallest change from substantial to insubstantial; Allow qi to flow throughout the body constantly;    靜中觸動動猶靜，  因敵變化示神奇， Stillness embodies motion, motion stillness, Seek stillness in motion; Unexpected surprises will happen meeting your opponent;   勢勢揆心須用意，  得來不覺費工夫， Movements with awareness and purpose appear effortless,   刻刻留心在腰間，  腹內鬆淨氣騰然， Attend to the waist at all times, A loose and relaxed abdomen activates qi;   尾閭中正神貫頂，  滿身輕利頂頭懸， The body should be pliable, Hold the head as if suspended from a string.   仔細留心向推求，  屈伸開合聽自由， Seek meaning and purpose in Taijiquan.  Bent and stretched open and closed,  Let nature take its course.   入門引路須口授，  工夫無息法自修， In the beginning oral teaching guides students.  With constant application skill takes care of itself.   若言體用何為準？  意氣君來骨肉臣， What is the main principle of Taijiquan?  The mind is the primary actor, and the body the secondary one.   詳推用意終何在？  益壽延年不老春。 What is the purpose and philosophy behind Taijiquan?  Rejuvenation and prolonging life beyond the normal span.   歌兮歌兮百卌字，  字字真切義無遺， There are 140 words in the song; every word is valuable and important.   若不向此推求去，  枉費工夫貽歎息！ Fail to follow this song and you will sigh away your time.     Gladys99 英譯   本文摘自著書《傳統楊式太極拳精研～漢英對照》一書