Taijiquan, Back to the tradition
There are no martial arts without Jin (勁). What is a traditional Neijin (内勁)?
In Japanese martial arts, there are words in mind field such as “Sen no Sen”, “Tsui no Sen”, and “Go no Sen”.
There is a similar teaching in Tai Chi, a Chinese martial art.
“彼不动己不动，彼微动己先动” is the word of Master Wu Yuxiang.
“If he doesn’t move, I don’t move, and if he makes a slight movement, I will move first.”
The source of human power is the legs and hips. No one would argue with this.
The legs and hips are connected by two joints.
Only those who control the movement of the hip joints can steps forward on the way to be a master.
Taiji-Breathing Total Concentration
What is the breathing method who masters martial arts?
Manga, TV anime, and movie of “Demon Slayer” are booming not only in Japan but also in Taiwan and China. In this story, each swordsmanship school names breathing, such as “water breathing,” “flame breathing,” and “wind breathing.” In addition, the highest-ranking swordsman of the demon slayer corps is called a “Hashira”, and the minimum requirement for “Hashira” is to have a “total concentration” breathing method.
What is the presence of breathing for those who are trying to master martial arts? What kind of breathing method do they have if the people who have entered the highest stage of martial arts?
Let me consider about the breathing method of “total concentration”.
In martial arts, it is often said to “taking the midline”, but what does that mean?
In my understanding, it’s a moment that makes the opponent think they lose it.
In other words, this is the moment you think you got it.
In striking martial arts, I think it is sometimes explained together with “Sen no Sen (Anticipative initiative)”.
I think it can be explained from a mechanical angle.
“Take the midline” is an expression not found in Chinese martial arts, but I would like to talk about it from my experience in martial arts.
There are many books that describe the theory of Taijiquan, but most of them are quite difficult to understand because the words used are vague.
I would like to explain scientifically through my experience.
Taijiquan uses the energy of “Qi”.
I must say that “Qi” itself has no power to fall the person down.
The mind of “Yi” is important factor in Taijiquan.
However, when I say, “Use Yi, don’t use strength.” it makes no sense to the general public.
“Qi” and “Yi” concepts are in an intangible world. If you try to talk about these things, you will get struggled to explain how in proper way.
Then what should I do? Taijiquan uses “Jin”.
This “Jin” is a force that acts directly on the opponent, and can be accurately described and talked in physics.
This time I would like to talk about Taijiquan from the point of “Jin” aspect because it is the science.
Taijiquan has a technique called Fair Lady Shuttles. With the suppleness of a woman like, you invite the enemies on the left and right, and defeats them alternately like shuttle loom weaving. The shuttle means a left and right movement.
In Chen Taijiquan, Six-seal and Single whip are the techniques used as a set. Nowadays in our period, Taijiquan has been loosing martial arts aspects gradually.
Only the form has remained, and its application seems to be unknown to the public.
What is Taijiquan Punch?
Taijiquan is north-style martial arts, and is based on the technique of shooting through.
If I am asked what the most commonly used kick in Taijiquan, it will be a toe kick.
In a street fight, it is natural to kick the opponent’s abdomen with the toes of leather shoe, and becomes an effective technique.
Let me explain it.
One of the characteristics of Tai Chi is that it is Silk Reeling Force.
Silk Reeling Force stays tense and connects the whole body.
Neutralizing Force (化勁) and Exploding Force (發勁) of Tai Chi could not be explained without the Silk Reeling Force.
I would like to discuss the essence of Silk Reeling Force based on Chen Tai Chi, the origin of Tai Chi.