Taichi explained!

I often come across people who ask me why I practice Tai Chi. Isn’t that for old people? The movements are so slow! It’s difficult for some people to realize that the practice involves martial sequences and that every move carries a deeper meaning and martial application. The big difference between Tai Chi for health and Tai Chi as a martial art is exactly that fact. Practiced mainly for its movements, it brings great benefits physically as well as mentally. You will calm your mind using various breathing techniques, get a limber body and build a lot of strength (muscles & tendons). You are fusing your body with the mind and gain better coordination skills, a better posture and more mobility in your joints. Yes, this “Tai Chi for Health” is indeed a great practice for the elder. However, Tai Chi is deep and this is only scratching the surface.

The “Tai Chi Classics” say:

"One reaches the ultimate level, or develops in that direction, by means of the ladder of balanced powers and their natural motions - Yin, the negative power (yielding), and Yang, the positive power (action). From the viewpoint of this theory, it is the interplay of constructive and destructive forces that causes the essence of life to materialize, the material world to manifest. And the spiraling movements of these forces seem endless."

Taichi is a way of life and a limitless internal martial art. Literally translated it means "the ultimate." It means improving and progressing toward the unlimited; it means the immense existence and the great eternal. According to Tai Chi theory, the abilities of the human body are capable of being developed beyond their commonly conceived potential. Creativity has no boundaries whatsoever, and the human mind should have no restrictions or barriers placed upon its capabilities. Within a Tai Chi martial sequence are hidden the secret techniques of a specific style. Chinese martial sequences contain two or three levels of fighting techniques. The first level is the obvious application of the movement, and contains the fundamentals of the style. The second level is deeper and not as obvious. For example a false stance, that would allow you to kick when necessary, but it's not actually practiced in the sequence. The third level includes techniques which require more steps and must be explained. That's why it's essential to have a master that can show you and train these techniques (applications) with you.

Is Tai Chi really a martial art?

Is it really a martial art? Yes! In fact, it’s one of the most complete and superior systems and includes the mind, the physical body and the energetic body. Tai Chi involves internal power, energy cultivation and transformation of that energy into power. It includes the laws of nature, such as the opposing and balancing powers Yin and Yang. That being said, practicing Tai Chi in combat situations is extremely difficult and requires an immense internal (energetic) ability. Even if you look at Taijiquan Tui Shou (push hands), you more often than not see how it is just rough muscle power that is being applied. Especially in a real fight, when you stand under physical and mental pressure, it is most difficult to maintain the necessary amount of relaxation to stick, adhere, join and follow your opponent. This ability to transform the energy and to apply it in every movement, according to the basic principle (mind moves energy and energy moves body/matter) is what makes Tai Chi become the real martial art.

Tai Chi can also be seen as a type of movement meditation. Its forms are practiced very slow and in a very relaxed manner. This enables you to feel your Qi throughout the form and helps you analyze it, as well as confirming the correctness of the move. When you picture the martial application you can lead the Qi to the right spot in your body in order to follow through with a powerful move. However, when you are tense your energy won't flow freely and you will have difficulties using this internal power. The slow movement also enables you to use all the necessary muscles and tendons for the move in the right order. When moving very quickly, it is hard to be fully aware of your body. Once you have created a good habit and muscle memory, you can translate the slow Taichi movement into fast applications.

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A quick exercise to practice your Tai Chi and Qigong stance the correct way.

Wall Squat

Protect your knees and practice safely. The wall squat exercise is very hepful to practice the right hip movement and knee position during your Taijiquan (Tai Chi) and Qigong (Chi Kung) practice. Find a wall and stand facing it with your toes touching it at the bottom. Your arms are extended to the sides. Now bring your tailbone down and slowly start to squat. You might have to look up hard or turn your head to the side to make space. You will notice that only when you drive the hips back you will be able to maintain your balance. The wall prevents your knees from going past your toes and your upper body from compensating.

You can watch the tutorial of the wall squat by clicking on the button below.

Enjoy and have a safe practice!