The jing is sung, but not sung; it is capable of great extension, but is not extended.
The jing is broken, but the intention is not.
The jing is stored by means of the curved.
(Wu Yu-hsiang)
Follow the form
Consider the words: 'form', 'perform' and 'formal' - they all have the
connotation of doing things a particular way.
Your application must follow the shape of the form otherwise you are not
applying the form.
This helps to train the necessary jing and you can flow into the next posture
with comfort.
Focus on what the body is doing, rather than what the hands are doing.
Your hands will find the appropriate targets when you correctly match the
posture to the attack.
Pragmatic
Your application must account for the physics of the situation: timing,
momentum, range, trajectory...
It cannot be based on assumptions:
Incoming force: you must successfully deal with the physics of the attack.
Strength: force on force and any sign of muscular tension means immediate failure.
Striking: there must be a striking component to your counter.
Compromise: defeating the attack at your own expense is worthless.
Flamboyant, unrealistic practice
trains bad habits. Simplicity is best.
If your application is jerky or hurried, your timing needs to be re-considered.
Controlled execution of an application is a demonstration of real
skill.
Abstract
Abstract training methods such as melee accustom students to responding whilst
controlling and shaping the nature of their response.
Instinct is combined with form.
The form pattern is initially learned by rote; a robotic sequence of linear
moves.
Then, you learn how those moves can be generated using the spine, waist, joints
and weight shift.
When the biomechanics for each individual 'posture' are physically
differentiated, you find that the limbs can only move so far using the whole
body and that the applications are defined by the range of the movement.
The form no longer looks quite so crisp and clear; it has become rounded and
slightly more abstract in appearance.
Natural
If somebody were to attack you unexpectedly, your response would not look like
tai chi.
Self defence is not stylised.
It is the natural response to the requirement of the
situation.
Function
The more closely your form follows the natural inclination of your body, the
more likely you are to use it in combat.
The accuracy of form must pertain to the spatial parameters of groundpath, the
strength of good alignment and skilful body use.
Unnatural
You are attacked and you respond.
Later, it may be possible to consider what you did and identify movements
that are form postures.
Maybe not.
The tai chi must be subsumed by your instinct and your instinctual response
must be shaped by the tai chi.
Perhaps then you will have become
naturally unnatural or unnaturally natural.
Attempting to apply tai chi in a way that does not work for you is
pointless.
Form and function must take into account each individual.
Everyone is different. Everyone has a contribution to make.
Page created 11 May 1998