The Writing Posture 书写的姿势

We noted that before start practising calligraphy, one must learn the proper way of holding the brush. The technique of holding the brush was very much emphasised before the Song dynasty. It is used with a brush manipulation technique known as Brush Turning. The use of fingers is emphasised.
After Song dynasty, with the introduction of tables and chairs that were similar to what we use today, the emphasis was moved to the method of using the wrist and the techniques of brush lifting and pressing. Therefore, the use of both fingers and wrist are emphasised. Fingers are used to hold and turn the brush and wrist is for moving the brush.
So, when writing, two things must be done correctly: the correct body posture and method of using the wrist and arm.
Body Posture: The correct body posture is important as the wrong posture will lead to strained eyes, sore muscles, or even hunch-back. You can practice calligraphy in either sitting or standing position. Standing position is normally for writing characters that are larger than 2 inches.
When sitting, the body should be erect, the shoulders balanced and the back straight. The legs should be apart, the feet evenly and firmly on the ground. The paper is held down by the left hand. The right hand holds the brush. The head is slightly forward, but be careful not to bow too low. Fix your eyes on the spot where you intend to write. Your eyes and the tip of your writing brush should be thirty centimetres apart. Your whole body should feel natural.
In the standing position, you start with your back erect and your shoulders set naturally. When standing, your feet should be as wide as your shoulders. Your chin should be slightly out causing you to lean forward a little.
Method of Using the Wrist: As the wrist is used to manipulate the tip of the brush, it is therefore important to learn the correct way to increase its agility. The three positions of the wrist are: cushioned, lifted and suspended wrist.
The cushioned wrist method required that the hand be held perpendicular to the paper, with the wrist cocked back like a striking serpent, while the forearm rests on the desk. While writing, the wrist is used to move the brush. This method is very often used for writing ordinary small characters.
The lifted wrist method is easily accomplished by placing the writing hand on top of the table, effectively raising the writing hand to an acceptable level. While writing, the arm is used to guide the wrist. It is normally used to write medium-sized characters.
In the suspended wrist method, the forearm is always held parallel to the desk. While writing, the arm is used to move the brush. This method allows for the freest movement of the brush. It is used to write medium and bigger characters.
All new learners of calligraphy should start with the suspended-wrist method as the basic skill. After mastering this method, they will have no problem to use the other two methods.

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我们注意到，在开始书写之前，我们必须学好执笔方法。宋代以前，人们注重执笔法，用以配合转笔的运笔法。强调用指。
宋代以后，随着和我们今日相同的桌椅的应用，强调用腕法和提按。所以，指腕并用。执笔与转笔用指，运笔用腕臂。
因此，在书写时，有两件事应做好：正确的身体姿势与用腕法。
身体姿势：正确的身体姿势很重要，因为错误的姿势会导致眼睛疲劳、肌肉酸痛，甚至驼背。练习书法可以坐姿或站姿。站立姿势通常用来写两吋以上的字。
坐姿书写，身体要正，两肩要平衡，背部垂直。两脚分开，均匀而有力地放在地上。左手压纸，右手执笔。头微微向前，小心避免低头。眼睛应注意看着要书写的地方。眼睛与毛笔的距离大约30厘米左右。整个身体要感觉自然。
用站立姿态开始书写时，背部要直立，两肩要自然。站立时，两脚距离要等于两肩的距离。脸下巴微向前，驱使身体略微趋向前。
用腕法：由于用腕调整笔锋，正确的运腕以增加其灵活性是十分重要的。三种用腕位置是：枕腕,提腕，悬腕。
枕腕法要求手掌与纸垂直，手腕如蛇探头般微向后，而前臂枕于桌上。书写时，主要是以腕运笔。这个腕法通常用来写小字。
提腕法容易执行，只要把书写的手臂放在桌上，提高到一个适当的水平就可以了。书写时，主要是以臂运腕。这个腕法通常用来写中形字。
运用悬腕法，整个前臂要与桌面平行。书写时，以手臂来运笔。这个方法的毛笔运行的自由度最大。用来书写中大形以上的字。
书法初学者应该把选腕法当作其本法先学。学好悬腕法，要用其它两种腕法就没有问题了。