Defining Tai-Chi-Chuan

Tai Chi Chuan is arguably the most popular martial art in the entire world. However, still it doesn’t always receive the respect it deserves as a combat system. There has been so much mysticism and misinformation surrounding tai chi that it has become difficult to clearly define it. Everything from fighters who can strike their adversaries from across the room using only their internal chi, to the idea that tai chi was created solely as a method of slow motion health maintenance for the sick and elderly has served to substantially erode tai chi’s credibility as a worthy combat system. With a little research anyone can uncover the fact that Tai chi is and was created for combat and as for the chi across the room stories I’ll leave that to the reader’s discretion.

If one really desires to study tai chi as a combat art all that’s really required is sound information and hard work, the latter being the easiest to obtain. Good information can be obtained through the guidance of a competent teacher this is obviously your best option. If for what ever reason you are unable to make contact with a suitable instructor then your road may be considerably more difficult but not impossible. In the absence of a tai chi teacher the other options are books, video tapes, and of course the internet. Much can be gained from these sources providing the practitioner applies good old common sense while filtering the information.

In order to progress at anything it is important to acquire insight into its true nature, tai chi is no different. Simply put tai chi is a concept. Such things as: not meeting force with force, deflecting one thousand pounds with four ounces, pulling when pushed and pushing when pulled, yielding, sticking, adhering and following are all concepts, concepts that collectively make up the greater concept recognized as tai chi chuan. Since tai chi is a system of concepts and not hard and fast techniques this can make it difficult for some to distinguish it as a martial art. In many instances the Tai Chi student may have difficulty figuring out the applications of Tai Chi postures. This is because there is no one method of applying them. At a certain level in the students training the teacher will instruct him or her in a proper usage of each Tai Chi posture thus helping them to put the Tai Chi concepts and principles into action. This not only teaches an application but also serves as a sort of template to help guide the student as their individual abilities develop. Tai chi is an abstract system as are the movements or postures that make up the solo form. Anyone watching the tai chi form being performed for the first time is not likely to attach much if any fighting significance to the graceful movements. However, the same can not be said for such systems as karate, tae kwon do, judo and the like. These systems leave little room to doubt what each movement represents.

Since the tai chi postures are some what ambiguous they can easily morph into any needed application whether offensive or defensive. As a combat system this is definitely one of tai chi’s strongest points. Of course in the beginning the tai chi student is not taught to focus on fighting skills although everything that is learned is a step in that direction. During the beginning phases the tai chi postures serve as the frame work from which one may begin to approach the abstract concepts. Various training methods such as push hands, Da lu, Free Hand fighting and other practices are incorporated into the training regimen, each surrendering another piece of the tai chi puzzle bringing the abstract more into focus.

Tai Chi training is also governed by the Ten Principles which are the common denominator for all Tai Chi Styles.

The principles are:

• Holding the head erect
• Chest slightly concaved
• Loosen all the bodies joints
• All movement to start from the center (waist)
• harmonize the upper and lower parts of the body
• The entire body moves as a single unit
• All movements are performed in a smooth, continuous and even manner without interruption.
• Distinguish clearly between substantial and in substantial.
• The breath is deep, even and coordinated to the movements.
• The mind leads the body.

These principles are guidelines that provide measure and balance from which the Tai chi concepts can efficiently operate ensuring the movements have neither excess nor insufficiency. Simply put, these principles set the necessary boundaries for all Tai Chi activity. As mentioned earlier each tai chi posture is adaptable to a variety of situations. This stems mostly from Interpretation and Need. There is a saying which states “Necessity is the mother of invention”. That being true then necessity must also have influence over interpretation as well. In Tai Chi Chuan the postures are not one size fits all. Tai Chi postures are meant to be useful and how can they be useful if they can’t change.

So when practicing your Tai Chi Chuan allow yourself to envision a variety of applications for each movement instead of clinging rigidly to the measured preciseness of the postures. In Tai Chi you should work hard at grasping the concepts not striking the poses.

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Copyright 2005 - Specialist Defensive Training and Glenn Hairston reserve all rights to this article and all attached photographs.