Tǎqiáo (塔橋), Dā Quèqiáo (搭鵲橋) or touching the palate with the tip of the tongue

塔
橋

One of the first things that is asked when starting the first lesson in Internal Martial Arts is to put the tip of the tongue behind the gum, touching the palate. According to Master Jou Tsung Hwa (周宗樺) in the Tao of Meditation, this is called Tǎqiáo (塔橋), or literally the tower (塔) bridge (橋). Through my practice, I heard different explanations for doing it:
- From a Martial Arts point of view, creating this habit, one avoids the risk os biting one's own tongue.
- From an energy point of view, this ensures the connection between the Governing Vessel (督脈) and the Conception Vessel (任脈).
- The last explanation is that it ensures that the students don't have the opportunity for chatting and therefore have to concentrate on the lesson.

搭
鵲
橋

Another name for the same position can be found in the book "Special Taoist Taiji Stick & Ruler Qigong" (道家太極棒尺氣功) by Wáng Fèngmíng (王鳳鳴), based on Féng Zhìqiáng (馮志強) teachings. The position is called there "Building the Magpie Bridge" (搭鵲橋), a reference to the Princess (織女) and the Cowherd (牛郎) legend.
In that legend the Magpie Bridge (鵲橋) is built on the Night of Sevens or Qī​xī​jié (七夕节) to allow the two lovers (a divine princess and a human cowherd) turned constellations to meet.

The Tao of Tai Chi Chuan and The Tao of Meditation by Jou Tsung Hwa (周宗樺)

Arguably the best book around on the topic of Tàijíquán (太極拳), "The Dao of Tai Chi Chuan" (太極拳之道) is both concise and deep. Its companion "The Tao of Meditation" (靜坐開悟之道) share the same characteristics. The approach is through principles, rather than routines, and the explanations given open the doors for further research. Some of the texts and terms mentioned by Master Jou Tsung Hwa (周宗樺) in the book make reference to ancient and classic works that few other authors dare to approach.
There exists a third volume, called "The Tao of I Ching", which for me seems less interesting, as much in it is quite redundant with other books on the same topic.
Master Jou Tsung Hwa (周宗樺) is one of the exponents of the first generations that brought Tàijíquán (太極拳) to the west, and a major Internal Martial Arts community and festival was initiated by him in the U.S.