カテゴリー: Taijiquan Theories

From time to time, I come across Tai Chi that feels lifeless, lacking a clear center, with an unfocused awareness.

The practitioner appears relaxed, with loosened muscles and slow, smooth movements. Visually, it looks refined and even beautiful.
Yet, something feels off.

Why?

Because there is no sense of a “flow” — no feeling that energy travels through the body and extends outward.

In authentic Tai Chi, energy originates from the dantian, flows to the hands, and continues outward into space, even while the body remains relaxed. At the same time, energy also travels from the dantian down to the legs, grounding into the earth.

When this internal mechanism is absent, the movement may be quiet, but it lacks vitality.
At an extreme, it can look as if something lifeless is merely moving.

The qi does not expand outward but remains trapped inside.
The awareness, too, stays internal, rather than extending beyond the body.

There is no sense of connection with space, no feeling of unity, and therefore no real interaction with the outside.
This tendency can be seen not only in beginners, but sometimes even in instructors.

“Understanding the Distinction Between Xu and Shi in Tai Chi” の続きを読む

In Taijiquan movements, each joint functions as a pivot, and these pivots move sequentially, enabling the efficient transmission of force. By maintaining awareness of the external triple coordination, the upper and lower body work in harmony, allowing the whole body to generate unified force as an integrated system.

This blog is best understood when read in conjunction with “The Dynamic Principle of Taijiquan: Jin is not Qi,” published in August 2020.

Now, let’s get explore the secret behind how Taijiquan generates an iron-like force through soft and fluid movements.

“Theory of Taijiquan The External Triple Coordination” の続きを読む

 

If you look at modern taijiquan, it has become a sporty movement, and fast taijiquan for competition moves by shaking the shoulders. The body moves as one, like a stick or a log.

There is no expansion and contraction of the spine starting from the body center.

Taijiquan is an internal martial art, but the characteristics of modern taijiquan are not seen.

 

In addition, it often takes a low posture with a wide stride, and moves the center of gravity slowly with the muscles of the legs.

The legs are heavy, the muscles of the thighs are used, and the image is that the heavy torso is placed on top.

You can’t fight the enemy with this posture.

“Tai Chi foot movement, do you land on your toe or heel?” の続きを読む

“Why does Taijiquan move slowly?”

 I sometimes get this questions.

Looking at the web, I can’t find any examples that are explained from a martial arts point of view.

I wonder why.

 

“Why does Taijiquan move slowly?” の続きを読む

There are many tai chi movements that make me wonder if the content is understood, and they are walking alone. Isn’t “Lead in and transform ” a representative example?

It seems that “Lead in and transform ” is only an argument with vague descriptions in China, the home of Tai Chi.

This may be due to a dramatically small number of Tai Chi masters who can speak the traditions.

“Lead in and transform 引進落空” の続きを読む

How do you dodge a straight punch on your face?

Step back. Dodge to the side. Go diagonally forward.

In each case, there is an iron rule. It is a “Eyes horizontal, nose vertical”.

 

Let’s talk about why this rule is important.

“Eyes horizontal nose vertical” の続きを読む

 

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.”

“Sen-no-sen in Taijiquan” の続きを読む

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.

 

“Taijiquan – Bow Stance Arch” の続きを読む

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”.

 

“Demon Slayer Breathing Method” の続きを読む

 

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.

 

“Martial arts – Taking the midline” の続きを読む