You don't want to be fighting biceps against biceps, the best techniques are the ones that the opponent gives you.
(Geoff Thompson)
Ticksheet column 2
These exercises should be performed with a soft, loose body.
Do not turn them into some kind of gym-style workout.
Engage the necessary muscles, but be sure to remain physically relaxed and
loose.
Silk arms
Silk
arms is not karate.
There are two elements to silk arms: the drills and the escapes.
The drills teach evasion and striking. The escapes are about avoiding
wrist/elbow locks and holds.
When performing the drills, make sure that your strikes are soft and heavy. Do
not push upon impact.
When escaping, use your whole body and be careful not to fight strength with
strength.
Escapes
Escaping from holds is a very important basic skill but time and time again we
see students using strength against strength.
You may well succeed in escaping from a rooted opponent, but if you are not
employing tai chi, what is the point?
Your class work must involve tai chi.
With a strong foundation - a good grasp of the basics - there is something to
build upon.
If you fight strength with strength, you are learning nothing.
Yielding
Softness in the body is important.
You cannot have a
stiff, solid torso and hope to succeed against
a more serious attacker.
Our school teaches the
yin body.
You need to be loose,
soft, folding. Going with the force, not
against it.
Find space in your stance.
If you become accustomed to finding space, you will find that there is always
room to move.
Maintain distance
Standing head-to-head with an attacker is not the tai chi way. At least not in
our school.
You need to maintain distance initially. Move in once you have neutralised the
threat.
Skilful, light steps will enable you to glide softly and easily away from a
threat without becoming entangled.
Silly, stylised steps will simply backfire.
Do not seek to meet
strength with strength. Be circumspect.
Page created 1 May 1999