Size and strength do not necessarily determine a person's ability to defend
themselves - small women have been known to successfully fight off a bigger and
stronger attacker. Many women are fitter, brighter and quicker than their male
counterparts.
(Barry Davies, SAS)
Strength loses
Tai chi chuan
approaches self defence in an unusual manner.
It is entirely based on the concept of
yielding to force.
This means that the stronger person does not win.
In fact, the
stronger person inadvertently
lends you their strength.
Soft muscles unite
Our style of tai chi requires the student to relax their muscles at all
times and apply only the minimum amount of strength.
Unless your muscles remain soft, you are incapable of
feeling what the other person is
attempting to do to you.
Dynamic Balancing Tai Chi does build
muscle - you need toned muscles in
order to move your skeleton effectively.
Yet, rather than rely upon the strength of your arm or your leg, you are
required to connect the body together at all times.
Every strike must be a whole body strike.
To quote Sun Tzu:
If I concentrate while he divides, I can use my entire strength to attack a fraction of his.
Women don't lose out
External martial arts such as karate,
ju jitsu, wing chun or kickboxing are all about strength and speed.
Strength is pitched against strength and the stronger, faster person usually
wins.
This means that women often lose out.
Tai chi was designed to be a
soft
martial art. Strength is circumvented. It relies upon sensitivity
and gravity rather than brute force.
Our classes ensure that you know what 'self defence' means and how to
use your body effectively in difficult situations featuring multiple
opponents (and ultimately armed attackers).
Technique fails
Self defence
techniques are based upon certain criteria: the
method and angle of attack, or the type of hold...
They are a formula which you must match relative to the type of attack
you are faced with.
If the attacker changes their mode of attack, or varies from the
expected assault, the technique may fail.
Only a skilled person can change a technique to suit the situation.
In our class, we prefer not to offer techniques.
Flowing like water
By practicing a whole series of partner exercises, you learn how to
change and adapt relative to variable circumstance.
This is not 'thinking on your feet'.
You are not required to
think at all.
Thinking slows you down.
Your body needs to respond smoothly and comfortably without doubt and
hesitation.
Aggression is unnecessary
Aggression is the product of
fear.
We encourage all students to approach their training
playfully,
to not take it seriously.
When you can laugh and play like children do, you let-go and stop being
afraid.
Composure is easy when you can
relax.
Powerful tai chi
Dynamic Balancing Tai Chi is a beautiful
approach to tai chi chuan.
When you have incorporated reeling silk, the body flows like water,
undulating as you move.
It is invigorating to perform.
Every single movement trains your body to store and
release energy.
The action is like an ocean wave.
Equality
We do not discriminate at all.
Women and men learn the very same material right from the beginning.
When strength and aggression mean nothing, a woman is no different to a
man.
The skills are available to anyone who cares to learn and is prepared to
put in the work.
Page created 23 February 2001