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| Tai chi combat (2) | ||
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Mish-mash
Be wary of tai chi schools that claim to be
teaching tai chi but in reality offer a
smattering of different disciplines.
It is not uncommon for a so-called tai chi class to include other
martial arts training.
If you are wanting to learn tai chi,
then learn tai chi.
Studying another martial art in a tai chi class will not improve the quality of your tai chi in combat.
When a class pads-out its syllabus by
teaching a variety of tai chi forms/styles or completely unrelated
material, it is important to question the depth of understanding being offered
by that class.
Tai chi ruined
The problem with training another art alongside tai chi is that the
other art may well ruin your tai chi.
It is like trying to find peace and
quiet in a room that has the TV
on.
Tai chi is subtle, quiet, soft.
It relies upon awareness, sensitivity, patience and
muscular relaxation.
Performing hard-style external
practices will de-sensitise your nervous system
and prevent you from following the tai chi principles.
Pragmatic
Your application of tai chi must account for the physics of the situation:
timing, momentum, range, trajectory...
It cannot be based on assumptions:
Incoming force: you must successfully deal with the physics of the attack
Strength: force on force and any sign of muscular tension means immediate failure
Neutralise: there must be a striking, chin na or shuai jiao component to your counter
Compromise: defeating the attack at your own expense is worthless
Minimalist
Flamboyant,
unrealistic practice trains bad habits.
Simplicity is best.
If your application is jerky or
hurried, your timing needs to be re-considered.
Controlled execution of an application is a demonstration of real skill.
Biomechanics
The tai chi way of moving is the key to tai chi combat.
Every movement and every potential
application must be
produced by a whole-body
action.
There are no
disconnected strikes in tai chi.
You must figure out the correct body mechanics required to produce the
applications.
This is not easy.
Internal
skill is necessary at this stage.
Beyond
form
Form serves to show you what the tai chi should look like in combat.
But do not be confused here.
Form practice and form application are not enough for combat
skill.
They are the beginning, not the
end.
Training applications
A student must accumulate a massive repertoire of applications featuring chin na,
shuai jiao and
striking skills.
These must be practiced relentlessly, so that the underlying principles become
apparent.
Every application must become comfortable and
familiar.
Martial drills
Martial drills are set routines designed to train a short set of applications in
quick succession.
The student learns to develop
reflexive responses and gains confidence employing the
art in a
predictable,
known scenario.
Gaps & deficiencies become evident and can
be remedied in a safe environment.
Pushing hands
The various types of
pushing hands methods trained in tai chi are invaluable for exploring
sensitivity, stickiness, listening,
pressure and softness.
Students can practice pushing hands endlessly and continue to incorporate
fascinating new insights into their tai chi.
Pushing hands also serves to offer a way into
grappling and countering with
skill.
Combat training
Combat training must inevitably transcend drills, exercises, forms and methods.
The student must be faced with combat.
This is where it gets difficult.
Boxing
The popular book Chinese Boxing by Robert Smith refers to kung fu as
being 'Chinese boxing' which is what kung fu has historically being called.
The word 'boxing' summons images of fists and punching.
Taiji is supreme ultimate (yin/yang)
and signifies the process of dynamic balancing.
Quan is fist (combat/martial art/boxing).
Dynamic balancing boxing renders the art as a process.
Balance
Taoism embraces all sides of our character;
recognising that people are both good/bad, strong/weak and so on.
We cannot be one without the other. The key is to find balance.
A harmony of
apparent opposites.
A student must train
to a point where unplanned responses occur.
Instead of thinking, the student instinctively moves.
They evade, counter and complete.
The appearance and feel of their movement is
tai chi.
Unnatural naturalness
This ingrained tai chi response may be referred to as 'unnatural naturalness'.
It is an unconscious level
of competence.
The student does not think
about what they are doing.
They just do.
And what they do looks like tai chi.
Train harder
Until you can simply 'do' tai chi, you are not an
experienced
exponent.
You must transcend the point where
conscious thought
intrudes.
This will involve many years of
daily training.
Commitment
Unless you commit to practicing tai chi
long-term, your skills will never emerge
spontaneously when you need them the most.
The more you train, the more familiar your body is with the art.
Tai chi fighting method
Tai chi is soft in nature and anything that
encourages a harder use of the body will interfere with the
yielding nature of tai chi combat.
Under pressure, softness must emerge.
Your composure is calm.
Your skills are integral.
Page created
18 May 1997
Last updated
16 June 2023
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