Kung Yi-tsu was famous for his strength.
King Hsuan of Chou went to call on him with full ceremony,
but when he got there, he found that Kung was a weakling.
The king asked, "How strong are you?"
Kung replied, "I can break the waist of a spring insect,
I can bear the wing of an autumn cicada."
The king flushed and said,
"I'm strong enough to tear apart rhinoceros hide and drag nine oxen by the tail
- yet I still lament my weakness.
How can it be that you are so famous for strength?"
Kung replied, "My fame is not for having such strength,
it is for being able to use such strength."
(Zen story/David Schiller)
2 concerns
In Dynamic Balancing Tai Chi we have two concerns regarding strength:
the cultivation of internal strength
the appropriate use of strength
Both of these concerns are equally important.
If you do not have strength, there is nothing to use. If you do not use it
skilfully, your strength is worthless.
Cultivation
Neigong training is vital in tai chi.
Internal strength will enable you to use every body part working together for
every movement you make.
No wasted motion. No wasted strength.
Jing
Having strength is one thing. Using it is something else entirely.
Tai chi is ultimately not about physicality.
The mechanics of the training only serve one purpose: they train the body to
store and release energy.
You must use your muscles efficiently and align the skeleton correctly, but the
real art lies with energy.
Skilful use of 4 ounces of pressure, along with balance, rhythm and timing is
where the tai chi resides.
Aim to use the minimum effort to achieve the maximum outcome.
As you become more skilled at tai chi, your use of strength will lessen and the
energetic outcome will increase.
Appropriateness
Appropriateness is about the when and the how.
Applying all your strength against a stable, rooted, prepared opponent is not
smart.
Force against force is not tai chi.
You must learn to be subtle. To be sensitive. To listen. To feel. To yield. To
trick your opponent's nervous system.
The application of 13 postures depends upon your ability to apply your strength
at the right moment.
If you get it right, 4 ounces of pressure will be all you require.
Misapplication
Tensing, forcing, pushing, controlling... these are external attitudes.
Tai chi is not about
fighting.
Your aim is to avoid conflict, to yield to force and to be soft.
Beginners often do not like the sound of this. It sounds weak and vulnerable. It is not
macho enough.
As soon as you ignore the tai chi principles, you are training incorrectly.
The answer to your conundrum lies in the story at the top of the
page.
Page created 2 May 2000