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Spatial
awareness
Our movements utilise three dimensions at
all times:
Vertical
Horizontal
Forwards & backwards
Every movement, is a
combination of these three dimensions.
It has to be. It is the physics.
Width, height, length.
3-D
Certain body parts enable us to use three dimensions:
Up & down, using hand and back
Side-to-side, using the waist, hips and legs
Movement between the feet
Pick any exercise or movement
and consider it in light of this.
Obvious power (ming
jing)
Skilled students must employ the
three dimensions consistently in order to cultivate 'obvious power'.
Ming jing involves harder, longer, more
effective movements.
Clear lines of force: up, down, shift the weight.
Central equilibrium
Maintaining central equilibrium enables us to use the three
dimensions easily and skilfully.
If we slouch, lean or slump, the power is
dissipated immediately.
The key to sustaining central equilibrium is to remain within your natural
range, and to avoid
exotic, flamboyant postures. Low stances and wide
stretches reduce your stability significantly.
Upright
The human skeleton is strongest when we are upright. Your tai chi needs to
reflect this.
If your stance is long and low, it reduces your ability to move.
To incapacitate
an opponent, aim whenever possible to compromise their ability to maintain
central equilibrium.
Invariably this is accomplished by encouraging them to over-commit, to lose
their centre, to forsake their own balance.
A journey of a thousand miles...
A journey of a thousand miles may indeed start with one step. But
are you really going anywhere?
This is an important question. Although your physical position may alter
relative to external objects, are 'you'
actually going anywhere at all? Do you understand?
Tap your chest. You are here. Now walk across the room. Tap your
chest again. You are still here.
Your body may have moved across the room, but 'you' haven't gone anywhere at
all.
Different shapes
If you realise that your body occupies the same space at all times, then you
see the form and your
relationship with an opponent quite differently.
This is what 'central equilibrium' is really
about.
The form is merely exploring variations
of the three dimensions. You turn the waist, shift the weight, move the
hands, the legs, the eyes.
But you essentially remain exactly where you
are.
The opponent
Your opponent is also utilising the three dimensions.
They have no choice in the matter.
If they swing their right shoulder, rotate their waist, shift their weight
into the right foot - in an attempt to hit your jaw - they are employing two
dimensions.
They are using the horizontal axis, and moving forwards. Your response must be applied relative to these dimensions.
If you attempt to oppose the incoming force by
using an outward-moving 'block' with your left arm, you are going to meet
the full force of their delivery.
This is not internal.
Sensitivity
Doing the right thing at the right time is all a matter of reading
the situation correctly, and responding
appropriately.
Initially, it is quite difficult. With
practice it becomes
easier.
Learning to follow and exploit the
line of incoming force is paramount.
Change
If you make the wrong movement, you will find yourself locked into a
contest of
strength.
Remedy it by using the three dimensions.
A person cannot have strength in all three directions simultaneously.
Change and you will find their
weakness.
Choiceless awareness
When you can employ the use of the three dimensions skilfully, you
will move in harmony
with the assailant.
There will be no blocking.
No opposing of force.
You will instinctively
feel the way to go, and you will adjust to the changes as they occur.
Throughout the Tao Te Ching Lao Tzu is at a loss for words as he tries to describe that which cannot be described. This is also the problem for the tai chi teacher. The teacher could talk for hours about tai chi and never really be able to tell the student what it is. All that Lao Tzu and the tai chi teacher can do is to try to give you glimpses of what the Tao and tai chi are.
(John
Lash)
Page created
25 May 1995
Last updated
16 June 2023
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