These days, meeting a true heir to traditional Taijiquan feels almost like a miracle.
I stumbled upon Taijiquan by chance. When I was 24, I met a master of Chen-style Taijiquan and became his student. From that point on, I spent the next 20 years completely absorbed in martial arts.
Time has flown by. I’m not as young as I used to be, but I’ve returned to Tai Chi—this time as a way to take care of my health and well-being.
“Use one engine to move the whole body.”
It sounds simple, but behind that idea lies a deep tradition. These movements have been passed down through generations, and they carry real meaning.
I’m truly grateful I had the chance to learn the real thing. And now, I want to share the beauty of this tradition with others.
Palm Strike Delivered from a Rebounding Angle: “摟膝拗步” (Brush Knee and Twist Step)
Tai Chi makes frequent use of palm strikes to the face during combat.
Palm strikes are a rational striking method that can cause a concussion and bring down an opponent without leaving external injuries.
The technique Brush Knee and Twist Step delivers a strike from the side of the face.
If a palm strike is no more than a slap or a light smack, then it is neither martial art nor tradition.
A dangerous kick targeting the ribs:“分脚” (Parting Kick).
Parting Kick uses the toe of the shoe to strike, making it effective in street fights.
The kicking leg remains relaxed and is lifted with the power of the waist, then driven in with the strength of the supporting leg and the pelvis.
It can also be delivered using the recoil from a punch, which is why it is frequently used in Tai Chi.
A whip-like palm strike:“単鞭” (Single Whip)
In Tai Chi, there are many variations of palm strikes.
Single Whip is a technique where the palm snaps like a whip across the opponent’s face.
If it lands cleanly on the nose, it can cause profuse bleeding and break the opponent’s fighting spirit.
If it hits the eye, it can momentarily blind the opponent.
Although it is a well-known technique in Tai Chi, few people seem capable of using it effectively in real combat.