Without long practice one cannot suddenly understand tai chi.
(Wang
Tsung-yueh)
The body as a weapon
The
neigong way of moving the body enables a
tai chi student to deliver power through a weapon.
Anything that comes to hand becomes an extension of your body, it moves as
you move and becomes one with you.
The only real weapon in tai chi is your own body.
The mind as a weapon
The
mind is more powerful than the body.
Without achieving the appropriate state of calm
awareness, picking up a stick or throwing a punch is a waste of
time.
Intent powers the weapon, so the mind must be trained far harder
than the body.
Knife
The knife is
a very popular and dangerous weapon.
We learn a how to defend against it.
Students are not taught how to use a knife in self defence.
Small stick
A small stick teaches students to loosen the joints and remain relaxed even upon
impact.
By learning how to strike with the small stick, a student comes to realise
how tai chi strikes operate.
The
fa jing power must be fed through
the stick and into the opponent.
Walking stick
The walking stick
explores the use of range.
Ideal against multiple opponents, the walking stick is a very versatile
weapon.
An
older person may carry a walking stick without fear of arrest (although
using it in self defence may well be another matter).
The walking stick reaches from the navel to the floor.
We teach stick drills and a 2 person stick form.
Page created 13 January 1999