Ft-together postures in Taiji (Tai Chi) and Xing Yi

0
186

[ad_1]

I’ve at all times been curious in regards to the postures in martial arts varieties the place each ft are collectively, as a result of these postures don’t look very martial in any respect. The truth is, it’s arduous to think about why you’ll need to use a stance like that in a struggle, and but we discover them in quite a lot of Tai Chi varieties:

From: Solar Lu Tang, A Examine of Taiji boxing, 1921

From: Lengthy ZiXiang, A examine of Taiji boxing 1952

Right here’s an instance of the posture in software in Taiji carried out by my instructor Sifu Raymond Rand:

Sifu Rang, Brush Knee, Twist Step.

It appears to be primarily Taiji lineages which have some affect from Solar Lu Tang that do that probably the most. Lots of people attribute the distinctive ‘ft collectively’ postures he used to his prior coaching in Xing Yi, and there could possibly be some reality to this. Xing Yi does have ‘ft collectively’ postures quite a bit.

Solar Lu Tang exhibiting a choice of postures from , A Examine of Xing Yi Boxing, 1915

After all, the basis of Xing Yi is spear combating, however the fashionable interpretation of the artwork is closely biased in direction of naked hand coaching, and this creates a deceptive impression. Give it some thought – if you happen to had been at a minimum of one spear size away out of your opponent the chance of being tackled to the bottom as a result of your ft are collectively could be tremendously decreased. You’re now free to make use of the facility technology benefits that may be gained by letting each ft come collectively, which is helpful if you find yourself holding a heavy object, like a spear.

When you watch this glorious video of Xing Yi spear approach by Byron Jacobs you’ll see that he doesn’t hang around along with his ft collectively on a regular basis, however often he makes use of the ft collectively moments for energy technology (and naturally, additionally standing on one leg for vary benefit and manoeuvrability in a manner that is smart with weapons).

Video:

Instance ft collectively transitional posture:

Byron Jacobs of Mushin Martial Tradition

In Xing Yi probably the most well-known instance of the ‘ft collectively’ posture is the Half-Step Beng Quan. Right here the again foot stepping as much as meet the entrance foot in place creates a robust closing motion of the physique, form of like a door slamming.

From: Chosen subtleties of the Xing Yi Boxing artwork, by Liu Dianchen [1921]

So, is that this the origin of ‘ft collectively’ postures in Taiji varieties? Fairly presumably. Nevertheless, there may be yet another factor to think about. After first studying Xing Yi, Solar Lu Tang realized his Taiji from Hao Weizhen 1849–1920, who realized from Li Yiyu 1832–1892, who realized from one of many Wu brothers, Wu Yuxiang 1812–1880 who had realized instantly from Yang Luchan 1799–1872 and likewise sought out Chen Qingping 1795–1868 who he realized from in Zhaoboa village.

It’s usually thought that the distinctive stepping seen in Solar fashion Taiji, the place the again foot is commonly lifted and introduced up near the entrance foot, is a consequence of Solar’s prior Xing Yi coaching. This is smart as a part of the narrative created as a part of the Solar Type Taiji model, which is that he integrated his earlier Xing Yi and Bagua coaching into his Taiji fashion. Nevertheless, if you happen to take a look at the Wu (Hou) fashion he realized, it already had this distinctive stepping in it.

For instance:

From: Wu Yuxiang fashion Taiji Boxing by Hao Shaoru

Whereas the ft don’t go fully collectively as a lot, if in any respect, in Wu(Hao) fashion, they’re very shut collectively for lots of the time. Watch this video for an instance of the shape in motion:

One principle about why that is is that Wu Yuxiang was a member of the Imperial Court docket on the finish of the Ching Dynasty, and was subsequently anticipated to put on conventional court docket costume, which restricted the stepping.

I feel you possibly can see that affect extending into Solar Lu Tang’s Taiji, which is smart since he realized from this lineage.

Lastly, I ought to observe that thought this put up I don’t need to create the impression that every one the steps in both Xing Yi or Taiji carried out by Solar Lu Tang are small or restricted. He additionally had loads of wider postures his arts too, for instance.

Xing Yi:

Taiji:

Nevertheless, examine it to postures present in different kinds of Taiji whose practitioners didn’t should put on court docket costume:

Chen Weiming for instance:

From: The inherited Chen household boxing artwork, Chen Weiming

[ad_2]