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| Powers & principles | ||
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Punches, kicks and grapples
Most martial arts are compromised of
punches, kicks, elbows, knees, blocks and
techniques.
These are employed according to a particular
strategy or attitude. Tai chi is not like this.
The art adheres to a Taoist principle.
Yin/yang
Tai chi was designed as a vehicle for the implementation of the
yin/yang principle.
A punch is not a punch
A tai chi 'standing fist' punch is not the same as a
wing chun punch.
The punch itself is not the emphasis.
It simply represents the means of contact, the
point of impact.
Our concern is with the jing utilised to produce the punch and how that
choice
of jing will affect the opponent when delivered.
Jing has been considered a secret
transmission in tai chi society. This is not only because it was not
revealed to most students but also because it cannot be passed down by words
alone. Jing must be experienced. Once you feel jing done by your master, you
know what is meant and are able to work on it by yourself.
(Yang Jwing-Ming)
Powers
There are 8 powers and 5 elements in
tai chi.
A standing fist punch can be delivered using wardoff, push, squeeze, pluck and
bump.
Each 'power' will result in a very different
outcome on impact.
It is just a matter of choice.
Gaining power
Tai chi is ultimately about learning the 8 powers and then combining
them effectively in combat situations. Can you already see that this is nothing
like the conventional way of
perceiving combat?
We are not thinking in terms of punches, kicks
or grappling.
Delivering jing is our focus.
Fa li
Fa li is delivery that feeds kinetic energy
through a fairly evident, connected framework.
It is structure-based.
Abrupt, sharp and penetrating, it is the first method of striking but
strictly speaking not tai chi.
Fa jing
Fa jing is vibration based.
The body is looser, more
natural.
It is capable of spontaneous movement in all
directions and power generation is far less
reliant upon an evident structure.
This is the second striking method.
Applications
Tai chi applications were
designed to employ jing whilst adhering to a combat
principle.
Usually pertaining to positioning, leverage,
balance and timing.
Principles
The focus of an application is the principle it contains.
Once the principle is understood, multiple
variations can be devised by the
student using that principle.
Beyond technique
The student must discover the underlying
physics involved in every application.
They can then apply what they have learned in
countless ways; thus transcending
the limitations and fixity of technique.
How do you learn these
things?
You need to read The Tai Chi Classics.
To understand the Classics you need to be actively studying tai chi with an
expert, and deepening your grasp of
Taoism and martial principles through daily study
of the books.
Only when your mind is clean are
you in a suitable state to read books and study the
Ancients.
(Huanchu Daoren)
Worth reading
•
Authenticity
•
13 methods
•
The
essence of the art
•
Jing
(internal/whole-body
power)
•
How?
•
Fa jing
•
Technique-based mentality
•
Biomechanics
•
Power generation
•
Myths & magic
Page created
7 April 1998
Last updated
16 June 2023
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