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Martial art
Tai chi chuan (dynamic balancing boxing) was originally designed to be an
advanced martial arts method.
It is significantly understated, subtle and complex; with a diverse range of
methods for dealing with all manner of assault.
The fighting skills are impressive, powerful, fast and varied.
Challenge
Martial arts are quite demanding to learn;
requiring the student to significantly increase their
strength, agility,
endurance and speed.
The challenges are both physical and mental.
A casual approach will not work.
Body, mind and emotions need to be conditioned and honed through
sustained, regular practice.
The training must involve a
wide range of challenging martial concerns; increasing in difficulty as the
student becomes more adept. To possess combat skills, you must train combat skills.
Cross-training in our school
All martial arts require the student to be fit
for combat.
Tai chi students train: massage, leg stretches, qigong, neigong, form, partnered work, martial sets &
drills, combat and weapons.
The training is done carefully, gently - in a
controlled manner - without exertion or
strain.
Tai chi fighting method
Combat is concerned with how your actions affect the opponent.
Your aim is to incapacitate the attacker whilst maintaining
your own integrity.
In combat, you need to be compact, grounded, alert and efficient.
Showy moves will only hamper you. They may even get you killed.
The principles, tactics and skills of tai chi are radically
different from those of the much greater number of
external martial arts styles.
Although all martial arts styles are designed to be effective in combat, the
internal martial arts styles and tai chi in particular, emphasis
efficiency as much as effectiveness.
Efficiency is measured by the ability to achieve success by using the
absolute minimum amount of effort necessary.
(Zhang Yun)
How
Unlike other martial arts, tai chi is concerned with
the means
rather than simply the end result.
The how rather than just the what.
Pragmatism. Effectiveness. Economy. These are our focus. Minimum effort
produces maximum effect.
Body use is very important.
Neigong (whole-body strength) and jing (whole-body
power) enable
students to generate kinetic
energy, which we employ in combat.
Balance
Tai chi is the art of balance.
The more adept you are at affecting
the opponent, the greater your
tai chi
skill.
Good quality tai chi application requires physical, emotional and
psychological integration.
There is a sense of calm.
The pace is unhurried and the student is at ease.
Ease
It is not enough to do tai chi, you must also do it easily and
comfortably.
Grace can be seen in the natural, uncomplicated movements of a skilled
practitioner.
There is a smoothness, a subtlety in every gesture. Enfolded within the art
are layers of sophistication.
Real
grace appears impossibly simple and elegant. Inconsequential.
Unremarkable. It is so innocuous that your mind slides over it. There is
nothing overt to cling to.
Subtlety
Tai chi is all about
internalisation: the more skilled you are, the
less an opponent can see.
By internalising your movements they become more efficient.
Nothing is redundant. There are no gaps and deficiencies. Nothing is wasted.
Nothing is pointless.
There is no telegraphing. No advertisement.
No blocking.
You become quiet and reserved, integrated and present. Your combat
abilities are potent yet subtle.
Sensitivity
Your skill is directly proportionate to your
sensitivity.
If the aim of combat is to affect the opponent, your ability to do
this hinges upon your capacity to feel what is happening.
You must be in the moment, aware and tactile.
Brute force and clumsiness are sure signs of inexperience.
True skill is evident when the exponent just moves and the outcome seems to
arise of its own accord.
There is no sense of effort. It happened.
Appropriateness
Appropriateness stems from your ability to feel, to respond skilfully.
You intuitively adapt, change and improvise. You see choices, possibilities
and options.
Nothing is fixed and static. You move with the flow.
Transcend the drills and form. Move naturally and freely.
It is not about anger, it is about peace.
It is not about power, it is about grace.
It is not about knowing your enemy, it is all about knowing yourself.
(Bulletproof Monk)
Body usage
Tai chi uses the body in a manner that conserves the use of energy.
This is accomplished in a number of ways:
No excess muscle tension is used
The movements are functional and economical
Good postural muscles support the weight of the skeleton
The larger muscles of the torso and legs do most of the work
Whole-body movement is employed rather than local limb strength
Beginners are encouraged to use less and less muscular strength; reducing
tension further.
This also calms the mind and relieves stress.
More...
Page created 1 August 1995
Last updated
17 June 2023