You're all gonna die.
(The Crow)
Dangerous
Dynamic Balancing Tai Chi
was invented as an efficient means of
defending yourself against multiple attackers.
It combines natural science, taoism, acupuncture, kung fu and qigong.
It is not a dance routine or a health exercise.
Health is a necessary side effect of strengthening your body for combat.
Macho
There is another 'dark side' that occurs in classes: macho behaviour.
You may be working on a particular drill or skill and the other person seems
absurdly awkward...
They may remain extremely stiff and even be dangerously clumsy.
Your partner may start applying unnecessary strikes or holds during yielding
rather than focus on the purpose of the exercise.
This type of behaviour is rare but does occur.
It is a form of bullying and may work against a beginner.
Against an intermediate, experienced or advanced student, it will only cause
injury to the macho person.
Tai chi is about using the other person to fuel your application; so if the
opponent is stiff and difficult, this is to your advantage.
Be patient, their machismo is soon to be your weapon.
Master yourself
Tao Te Ching counsels you to master yourself before mastering others.
This means that your own health, posture and body usage must be addressed before
you consider applying the practice.
In self defence, you must learn softness, sensitivity and control.
Some people use muscle tension to simulate internal strength and feel proud of
their ability to apply force.
This clumsy application of the system is a poor reflection of their tai chi and
demonstrates no real skill at all.
It is
force on force; the worst mistake of all.
You must successfully apply the tai chi with grace, relaxation and ease at all
times.
Master others
Only when you have lost the need to compete will true skill emerge.
Partner work is designed to develop specific skills.
It is a mutually beneficial exercise not a competition.
People often tense-up or behave awkwardly during partner work, deliberately
making things difficult for the other person.
This is macho and pointless - you are just wasting time.
The partner exercise is not a
fight or a self defence situation, it is a
training exercise.
You must learn to work with others.
This is preparation for a real attacker when you must work with your opponents
energy and use it to your advantage rather than his.
Tai chi requires you to join bodies and move as one.
Sensitivity requires you to become one with the opponent, moving as they
move, feeling for gaps and deficiencies.
How can this happen if you tense-up?
Tensing-up is a sure sign that you have yet to master yourself.
Safety
Self defence skills are dangerous abilities to experiment with.
We need to feel safe to explore these skills in an environment of friendly
cooperation.
This requires trust and good humour.
Go easy on one another and put the safety of your training partner first.
Page created 19 April 2000