TAI CHI CHUAN Philosophy
I. INTRODUCTION
The Definition of Tai Chi
Chuan
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Grand Ultimate Fist
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Best translation, even though use of the fists is limited.
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Supreme Ultimate
Boxing.
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Solo forms are sometimes viewed as shadow boxing,
however, this is a western assumption, and not relevant to the actual purpose.
Definition of Tai Chi.
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The Ridgepole ~
The original meaning taken form the I Ching (Book of Changes).
The Ridgepole supports the roof timbers.
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The Empty Circle ~
An expression of the emptiness that gives purpose.
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Yin and Yang ~ Natural Energy divided into extremities, separate but
complementary.
Tai Chi Chuan is the key to
understanding the other Internal Styles (Nei Chia).
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It is a prerequisite
to learning Hsing Yi, or Pa Kua Chuan. Without experience
in Tai Chi Chuan, Hsing Yi becomes too external
(Wai Chia), and Pa Kua becomes too abstract.
Tai Chi Chuan is about 1,000 years old.
Although the Chen Family were not the
creators, we know that it was kept within their family for at least
fourteen generations, before it was taught to an outsider (about 1830
A.D.). That outsider was Yang Lu-Ch'an and he was taught by Chen
Chang-Shen.
II. BASIS OF TAI CHI CHUAN
One, when someone
comes into your space (expansion), yield. When they
retreat (contraction), follow.
Two, balance - strike
only when your opponent is unbalanced (i.e., when
attacked, yield, the attacker becomes unbalanced by being unable to
check his advance and at the point where his attack reaches its
limit, strike).
Three, one cannot be
totally pure Yin or Yang, this explains the fish eye, or dot
of the opposite included in the Yin/Yang symbol. When one becomes
too Yang, Yin will follow. Emptiness has nowhere to go, except
to become full.
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Slowness - One,
performing tasks
slowly, not only gives you more time to reflect on what you
are doing, but also gives you more insight than if you performed
it quickly. Two, doing something
slowly and repeatedly, allows you to absorb it at an
unconscious level, so that it becomes second nature (like taking a
walk). Three, in Tai Chi Chuan,
the better you get, the slower your routine becomes.
III. TAI CHI CHUAN
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As with all the internal martial arts,
Tai Chi Chuan is a combination of Self-defense,
Exercise, and Performance.
- As a Martial Art
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Although it is
practiced slowly, in application it becomes lightening fast
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All movements are
done with coordinated effort of the whole body (weight, waist,
and limbs).
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Feeling and
sensitivity are used to capitalize upon an opponents weaknesses.
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Focus your mind on
what you want to achieve, not on how you will
achieve it.
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By sensitivity, know
your opponent, but don't let him know you.
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Use your Internal
Energy (4 oz. Can move 1,000 lbs).
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Empty yourself (of
preconceptions), clear your mind (of plans and
schemes).
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True understanding
comes from practice of the solo form.
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As a Health
Exercise.
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Improves balance and
coordination.
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Provides suppleness
and agility.
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Stretches and
strengthens the body.
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Circulates the
body's Internal Energy (Chi) to all parts of the
body in an
even manner.
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Calms the Spirit.
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There is a
dance-like appearance, which results from the gracefulness of inner strength.
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Transitional
movements, which connect the postures are the key to Tai Chi
Chuan.
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All movements,
whether or not they are martial, receive the same emphasis and attention
to detail.
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Practice
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Practice
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And more
Practice
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