There are two key issues in pivots: axis and balance.

What I call pivots in Taiji include stationary pivots -- turning the upper body separately from the lower body, and dynamic pivots -- turning the entire body in place or as you take a step.

In May, we work on pivots in Taiji movements:

• In Level 1 class, we will continue to build on the Four Energies drill, adding pivots as we step, and introducing other Cloud Hand patterns to practice pivots.
• In Level 2 class, we will continue to refine Laojia Yilu by working on elements of pivot in various postures. Homework for those of you in this class: What postures include pivots? Why are the different types of pivots? Which pivots, and what in those, feel challenging for you?