The Taiji Yin-Yang Formula
Tai Chi magazine had a good article recently called The Taiji Yin-Yang Formula. I especially enjoyed this quote: "If one wants to catch something, first it must be let go."
Naturally, I can't go into all of the principles included in this blog post, but one of the principles I'll practice with the class this week is "letting go" when force comes at you.
I practiced pushing hands with Master Chen Bing in Chicago last year. There was an exercise we did--he put his hand on my shoulder and I put my hand on his. When I pushed, he would relax and suddenly he wouldn't be there. His shoulder gave way under my push. Instead of greeting my push with force, he let go. He easily handled my force and before I knew it, I was off balance.
One of the things about Tai Chi that has always fascinated me is the idea of relaxing when force is coming at you. It's contrary to everything we've been taught to do our entire lives. And as the article in Tai Chi Magazine says, the very act of yielding creates the opportunity of attacking back.
Here on my website (Internal Fighting Arts), there are dozens of videos of various training techniques. One of them involves this principle. The attacker pushes at your shoulder, you relax and remove the target of the push. The attacker goes off-balance and then you break his elbow or throw him out of the way with an elbow lock.
I enjoy reading articles that actually explain things clearly. Too often, the explanations leave plenty of misinterpretations to be formed in the minds of readers.
Try Two Weeks Free and Get Step-by-Step Training in Taiji, Xingyi and Bagua from Basic to Advanced Skills with No Mystical Mumbo-Jumbo
More than 850 Video Lessons and Downloadable pdf documents -- and You Get It All During Your Free Trial!
Click this Button to Learn More and Watch a Video!
Author - Instructor
Ken Gullette
I have practiced martial arts since 1973 and began studying the internal arts in 1987. My goal is to cut years off your development time by coaching you in the real skills for high-quality Tai Chi, Xingyi, Bagua. To see more about my bio, click the "About Ken" link on the menu at the top of this page.
Stay connected with news and updates!
Recent Posts
Categories
All Categoriesfull contact vs point sparring
how to succeed in martial arts
how to use chi kung in daily life
how to use qigong in daily life
internal fighting arts podcast
ken gullette on kung fu conversations podcast
mindset of successful martial artist
principles of body mechanics in martial arts
what is body method in tai chi