There’s a phrase in Tai Chi that the entire physique is a fist. I believe it truly comes from Chen model, however applies to all types of Tai Chi. Now, you’ll be able to interpret that in numerous methods, however I believe all of them are legitimate.
Let’s have a look at a pair.
Firstly, it’s saying that it doesn’t matter what a part of the physique you hit with, so in case you’re utilizing Jin channeled from the bottom into the goal, the trail it takes may undergo the shoulder, or elbow, or head, for instance, simply as simply as it will probably to the fist. Tai Chi in software tends to be at shut vary, typically physique to physique, so limiting your self to boxing vary doesn’t make a lot sense.
One other method to take a look at it (and I believe that is doubtlessly extra helpful) is to think about the motion of opening and shutting the physique as being just like opening and shutting a fist. Whereas the idea of opening and shutting the physique is difficult to grok, all people is conversant in the thought of opening and shutting the fist. In Tai Chi (and different ‘inner’ arts) that opening and shutting is completed with the entire physique. Whereas some inner arts (notably Xin Yi) go for a open/shut/ adopted by a tough cease then repeat kind of motion, Tai Chi is specific amongst the internals in that’s opens and closes in a clean, steady movement in a fluid sequence of motions. There’s by no means a tough cease within the type. You can say that that is defining function of Tai Chi.
Sensible coaching
So, let’s get to sensible coaching. The ins and outs of the way you open and shut the physique are to do with the 6 harmonies and silk reeling. I created a brief video sequence years in the past now, that checked out this. Watching the video is quite a bit simpler than me attempting to clarify all of it in textual content.
However right here’s a coaching concept: do your Tai Chi type, and attempt to really feel the place the open and shut actions are within the type. Even simply doing the shape with the psychological angle of ‘listening’ for the place the physique naturally opens and the place is of course closes is a follow in and of itself, that may reap rewards.
Additional listening
There was a superb podcast interview from the Gung Fu Crew that I listened to not too long ago by Derek Notman of Island Bodily Tradition with regards to Xin Yi Liuhequan.
Derek incessantly refers to this concept of ‘the entire physique is a fist’ within the podcast and the way that applies to Xin Yi. I believe that it’s an excellent hear for Tai Chi practitioners as a result of the thought of opening and shutting the physique and the 6 harmonies all come from Xin Yi – one of many oldest documented Chinese language martial arts. That’s the place Tai Chi will get them from.
Derek additionally talks a couple of instances about one other attention-grabbing concept, which is that Chinese language martial arts aren’t there to show you to battle, they’re coaching programs. He suggests going to be taught boxing, MMA, or no matter it’s that appeals to you first, to get it out of your system earlier than you strategy Chinese language martial arts. Now, that’s going to be a controversial concept for lots of my readers, but it surely’s additionally a really attention-grabbing concept that I don’t suppose is with out advantage. Have a hear and see what you suppose.