30/09/2024

TaiJi and XingYi For Self Defence Part 4

 

In a previous post I referenced an early “classic” text, although often known as the ‘Pushing Hands Song’ it more accurately translates as clashing hands and by inference fighter’s song. 

 

The below is an early version from around 1880. The date is important because it is around thirty years before the end of the Imperial period in China and therefore it reflects the theoretical understanding of TaiJi when it was still a military activity rather than a leisure pursuit.

 

Ward-off, rollback, press, and push must be taken seriously.

With coordination between above and below, the opponent will hardly find a way in.

I will let him attack me with as much power as he likes,

for I will tug with four ounces of force to deflect his thousand pounds.

Guiding him in to land on nothing, I then close on him and send him away.

I stick to him and go along with his movement instead of coming away or crashing in.

 

Because this text and later versions of it are, as mentioned above, referred to as the ‘Pushing Hands Song’ it is mistakenly thought to apply only to pushing hands as a training exercise. It is in fact a very short but very important series of instructions on how to apply TaiJi skills in a violent conflict.

 

For this unfamiliar with TaiJi (Ward-off, rollback, press, and push) are the four fundamental methods of applying force when in close contact with an opponent. These methods apply primarily to grappling or being generally at close quarters, they don’t reference striking. That doesn’t of course mean that TaiJi doesn’t use striking but rather recognises the reality that confrontations more often than not involve being at close quarters, rather than being carried out at comfortable punching and kicking range as might be expected in a competitive environment. 

 

The next line (With coordination between above and below) links the importance of coordinating footwork with the actions of the upper body and hands. Footwork is traditionally thought of being carried out in one of five general directions; advance, step left, step right, retreat and remain fixed (central).

 

The next two lines (will let him attack me with as much power as he likes,

for I will tug with four ounces of force to deflect his  thousand pounds) outline the importance of the application of skill to handle a high level of force. Don’t confront force with force but ADD a little more force in order to redirect the incoming force. The word “TUG” is important here, think of using reins and a slight pull to redirect a horse. A human can’t hope to control an animal as powerful as a horse unless educated force is applied skilfully. The word “deflect” is often used to translate this concept, but I think “divert” would provide a slightly more nuanced understanding of what is meant.

 

The following line (Guiding him in to land on nothing, I then close on him and send him away) outlines what should be the result of the correct application of the above outlined skills. Essentially, make your opponent miss as they attempt to apply full power, so that they are vulnerable to a counter attack that they re unable to defend.

 

The final line goes a little further into tactics (I stick to him and go along with his movement instead of coming away or crashing in). This covers a really important point and time in a confrontation. When you are attacked and you are successful in evading the initial attack in the manner outlined above, you are at a momentary advantage. Your attacker attacks you because they expect success, obviously they don’t expect to lose! When you are able to evade the initial attack smoothly and maintaining your own poise and balance, it is imperative that you take the chance to close in, smother any other follow up attacks and finish the confrontation. “Sticking” is a reference to the pushing hand skills of connecting and following your opponents movements. This enables you to smother their actions, keep them off balance and make them vulnerable to a counter. “Coming away or crashing in” is a reminder to avoid the two primary errors of failing to stick and smother (coming away) or using force against force or reckless actions (crashing in).

 

We’ll look a little deeper in the next post how this theoretical base can be used to develop practical skills.

 

 

 

 

#selfdefence #selfdefense #martialarts  #taijiquan #XingYiQuan #taichichuan #thirteendynamics

Calligraphy of Essence of Chinese Martial Arts

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