Tai Chi and Fighting : do not focus on the applications
I remember learning the Xin Jia Yi Lu (83 form) from my teacher many years ago. We were focusing on the first section. Towards the end of the section we were shown a variation of one of the moves. It involved releasing (fajing) in two to three different directions using your arms, knees and feet all striking out in opposing directions.
Coming from a Shaolin and kickboxing background the move seemed alien to me and just didn’t make any sense martially. It just seemed so impractical. At this point of my neijia (internal martial arts) and Kung Fu training I had no understanding of shen fa (body method) and I tried to literally find at least one application for each move.
Every time we practised or covered this move someone in the class would always ask what’s the application of the move. My teacher would always smile and tell the following story from his own perspective:
When I was learning this move and was shown this variation of fajing (energy release) from my teacher, I would also ask what the function of this move was. My teacher would always reply:
“Do not focus on the application, focus on what the move is training, what changes it’s making to your body, what abilities it’s giving you, and what kung fu it’s developing.”
From hearing this story passed down and repeated, and eventually understanding the point of the story, it really changed my understanding of Kung Fu training.
From this point I started to not focus on applications for each movement; instead I started to focus on body method and what the form and practices of Tai Chi could do to develop my Kung Fu. Since practising with this mindset I feel it has really improved my Kung Fu, my understanding of Tai Chi applications and of other arts, and taught me how important efficiency of movement is in all martial arts.
I feel too many people in Tai Chi focus on the direct application of the movement, or try to make the applications identical to the form movement. Doing this is really impractical and can really inhibit your Kung Fu development.
Each form movement trains different strengths and has many usages. Every movement contains blocks, deflections, strikes, locks, sweeps, throws and take downs, as well as teaching you different body mechanics for delivery of a technique, and ingraining certain principles into the body.
Let’s use ‘Cover Hand and Punch’ as an example. Most people will tell you its just a punch. To me it teaches good mechanics to throw a right cross just as in boxing. Let’s be honest here: you’re not going to punch anyone like it’s done in the form.
It’s also a great way to develop drilling/twinning strength in the arms which can be used to manipulate balance in the clinch also one of my favourites is it can be used as a counter to a trip from the clinch. These are just a few examples there are many more.
Below is a video of Diagonal Posture from our Foundation Course showing many different applications from strikes, kicks, locks, take downs and deflections. Like all other movements in Tai Chi, this one move has many different strengths, applications and usages.
To me, Tai Chi Form training teaches you so much more than literal fighting applications. Form practice helps develop strength, flexibility and endurance. Most importantly it teaches you shapes, principles and strengths and how to move your body efficiently and effectively for health and combat.
There’s plenty of stories of famous martial arts masters who learnt Tai Chi after already being very accomplished — all stating how the practice of Tai Chi improved every aspect of their existing skill, taking it to the next level. Feng Ziqang and Sun Lu Tang are just two that come to mind. I feel these masters all understood how Tai Chi training trained their bodies by not just focussing on the literal applications of the movements.
Our Tai Chi Foundation Course is the designed to explore these principles, showing the same moves from the perspective of Qigong, Tai Chi Form and Martial Applications as well as as Standing Meditations. Even the most basic stepping practice helps develop this kind of body method. By doing these three things together, you will come to a real understanding of the hidden depths, strengths and beauty of Tai Chi and Kung Fu.
