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Beyond brawling
During the Warring States period, the art of combat was refined
considerably. Chinese martial arts served to elevate fighting from the
primitive level of scrapping and brawling, and make it scientific.
Centuries of empirical research and exploration produced an enormous array
of evolving combat systems. Fighting had become an art form.
In the competitive world of feudal China, tai chi represented the pinnacle
of martial refinement and understated skill.
Fighting without fighting
Tai chi introduces a fascinating style of fighting. It teaches students
how to defeat an attacker without using force, without struggle and without
aggression.
Instead of opposing force, blend, re-direct, neutralise and strike back.
This requires sensitivity, clarity, presence. Brute force is replaced by
wit.
The tai chi exponent possesses a subtle intelligence and the ability to
finish the fight before it reaches the point of no return.
Struggle or flow?
The tai chi student must avoid blocks, holds and struggling... and just
flow. This peculiar alternative is a challenging skill.
It requires patience, a clear mind, good observation skills and a
willingness to wait for just the right moment.
Purpose
Tai chi encompasses a variety of
training concerns, but at its heart there is always
combat.
Ultimately, everything in the syllabus is designed to enhance your
fighting skills.
This does not mean that tai chi is macho or aggressive. It simply means
that tai chi has a purpose. It has a focus. And that focus is combat.
Internal martial art
In tai chi the onus is upon relaxed musculature, calmness, composure,
whole-body movement and fitness.
Everything is performed in a comfortable, mild fashion - causing you no
physical strain. Small, circular movements are utilised rather than
linearity.
Tai chi fighting
method
The aim is to use the least amount of effort to produce the maximum effect.
Subtlety, timing, rhythm and spontaneity are highly valued. Smoothness is
paramount.
In order to accomplish this, a different kind of strength is needed.
Interpretation
Within tai chi classes there are many interpretations as to how the art
should be applied when fighting.
There are differences of style, perceptions of relaxation, sensitivity and
softness.
One class may teach karate-esque practice that bears little resemblance to
the art outlined in The Tai Chi Classics. Another class may be ultra-soft
and subtle.
There is no consensus between tai chi teachers as to what needs to be
taught in order for the art to function martially.
Integrity
Tai chi teachers address martial concerns in whatever way suits their own
individual proclivities and preferences. There is a wide variety of
approaches. Some are more effective than others.
Some are more thorough and comprehensive. As a student, make sure that you
train the art with integrity. If you want bona fide, realistic fighting
skills this will mean a major commitment to training.
Expectations
Trained properly, tai chi should offer all the same skills as any martial
art or fighting art. And a lot more besides.
To accomplish this you need a comprehensive understanding of what 'internal'
actually means.
The function of form
Form teaches the student how to move their body in combat. The more closely
your form follows the natural inclination of your body, the more likely you
are to use the lessons it teaches in actual combat.
The accuracy of the form must pertain to the spatial parameters of
groundpath, the strength of good alignment and skilful body use. It must be
a vehicle for chin na,
shuai jiao and form applications.
A means for training positioning, flow, change, adaptation, nimbleness,
spontaneity and strength.
Combat
Your form should look and feel like tai chi combat. Your combat should
look and feel like tai chi form. If this is not the case, what exactly
are you training and why?
Pretty forms often have no combat value
It is quite easy to move the body in a precise and aesthetically pretty way.
Unfortunately, appearance is merely superficial.
The Tao Te Ching says that you must
eat the fruit and not the flower.
Tai chi is internal, not external.
Numbered forms
Certain styles of tai chi such as the 24 step are not a fighting system or
complete art in their own right. They are merely an exercise sequence: the
stances even look similar to yoga...
24 step was designed to address the health needs of 1950's China and to
eradicate residual Taoist influences within tai chi. The movements are not
martial and were not designed as such.
Their purpose was purely for health.
Martial forms
A traditional form is trained with martial intent in mind from the onset. It
does not need to be altered or adjusted for fighting.
The form contains most of the fighting skills contained within the system;
although to a novice they will not be obvious. All they see is complexity
and movement.
The individual skills must be explored independently of form practice in
order for the student to apprehend the individual components.
Image
Performance art tai chi, hippy approaches and Age Concern classes still
predominate the public perception of tai chi. It may never be possible to
change this public image.
But you can still train the art with integrity.
Paper tiger?
Not everyone wants to train the fighting skills of tai chi but without
these vital abilities and insights something significant is lost. Tai chi
for health is a good beginning, but it not the whole art.
Armed and unarmed combat, solo and multiple opponents... the reasons behind
the movements... these inform the practice. They keep it on track.
When you remove the martial component, you remove the tiger's teeth. What is
left is a shadow of the real art.
5
missing pieces
Many tai chi classes lack 5 important elements necessary in order for
tai chi to function as a martial art:
Neigong (whole-body strength)
Martial concepts (what combat constitutes and how to do it effectively)
Chin na (the art of seizing)
Shuai jiao (take downs)
Jing (whole-body power)
Without these 5 components, tai chi is lacking something and may not work in combat.
Page created 14 February 1996
Last updated
16 June 2023