As we discussed in Part I of this blog, it is important to identify your goal is when pursuing martial arts training. Learning the martial side of Tai Chi is challenging and requires a great deal of training. In addition, there is risk of injury.
The ultimate goal of Tai Chi as a martial (or fighting) art is total control of your opponent, and while this can be done without injuring them, it requires a high level of skill. With faster styles (such as Chen) the risk of injury is higher. However, slower styles (such as Sun) require modification and different types of training to be effective as a fighting form. Without modification, a slow style will not allow you to react quickly enough to protect yourself. For this reason, many martial practitioners claim Tai Chi forms are useless for “street fighting.”
So why do we learn form if we are interested in the martial aspects of Tai Chi?
Form activates and moves qi through the body’s channels and meridians. It teaches us to generate internal power without thinking. Form also teaches movement, alignment/placement, and body and mind control. In other words, we use form to learn how to best control ourselves, as well as our opponent.
The martial aspect of Tai Chi relies heavily on the practitioner’s sensitivity to the opponent’s movements and center of gravity to dictate the appropriate response. Therefore, Tai Chi, as a form of self-defense, is the test of a practitioner’s understanding of the system. For example, the response to an outside force; yielding, and sticking to an incoming attack, rather than meeting it with force.
A qualified instructor will teach, test, and refine the postures and internal aspects of Tai Chi to ensure power is present. Students are usually taught defense or neutralizing skills prior to learning offensive skills. Most students new to the martial aspect of Tai Chi will naturally tense up, so until you understand and are proficient in form, you should not attempt to learn the martial aspects, particularly the offensive attacks. That said, one should be aware of moves conducive to the martial aspects of Tai Chi. which include ward-off, roll-back, press, push, and push hands. And as always, it is important to follow the essential Tai Chi principles (outward movement, inward movement, and body structure/alignment) when practicing.
We’ll explore offensive and defensive aspects of Tai Chi in the upcoming Tai Chi as a Fighting Art III blog.