When we attack with the
internal energy,
we are not attacking with the left or right hand,
but with a line of energy that originates in the foot,
is channelled through the legs, waist and back,
and only emerges from the hand.
(Wolfe Lowenthal)
Body mechanics
Beginners must understand every posture of Yang Cheng
Fu form
section 1.
A common mistake in tai chi chuan is to import the body
mechanics from
other martial arts into tai chi.
Every form movement has a unique
quality.
By attuning your perception to the nature of each movement, you learn how to
generate power using that posture.
Energy transmission
The tai chi postures serve to supply a pathway for the
transmission of energy.
Energy
travels from the ground into your hand.
Your body simply provides the means by which the energy can be
transferred.
If you are stiff and unyielding, disconnected or flaccid - this transmission
will be unsuccessful.
Bowing & spiralling
The
Yang Cheng Fu style form is intended to train your body to open and close as
you
move.
By twisting the torso and opening & closing the joints - energy is generated.
Your body must act like a spring that operates in four main directions:
forwards/away from the body
backwards/towards the body
up
down
The waist produces energy horizontally
and this results in forwards & backwards motion.
Your spine provides up & down power, in addition to forwards & backwards.
The combination of waist and spine is very potent.
'Bowing' refers to the elasticity present in the joints when you lengthen the
limbs without locking the joints or contracting the muscles.
Any form of muscular tension is counter productive: how can you generate
forward momentum when your contraction is drawing the muscles back towards your
centre?
'Spiralling' refers to the gentle twisting of your entire musculature as you
perform each tai chi movement.
It is important not to twist the joints or vertebrae.
Your coccyx and base of the skull must be aligned, and the knees must point
towards the second toe.
Putting the ground in your hand
Certain body
shapes
enable you to transmit force from the ground effectively.
It is important to use the musculature efficiently. Deep stances and external
body habits will reduce the effectiveness of the energy release.
Gravity is the most essential component, and gravity emerges when you relax.
Should you disconnect any part of the body or stiffen-up; this will not work.
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Page created 29 April 2001