Ive been doing Tai Chi Chuan, and a complimentary style of Kungfu for a few months now and was wondering what if any styles or systems of martial arts people on the forum do?
I know from one of the religion threads (numerous as they are) that some people on this forum know about qi (or Chi), have any of you seen this in a martial situation? Have you found the supreme ultimate (slight in joke for folk that do Tai Chi)?
Im interested in Martial arts in general, both chinese, japanese anywhere else etc. What draws you to your art, does it take a life time to learn, or a few years? Whats cool about it, are there tactical or even philosophical aspects to the art? Does it have a focus e.g; strikes, grappling, internal energy, weapons forms, acrobatics, etc.
About Taiji (Qi Gong - art of the Qi). 太極(氣功), I am a member of R.O.C YiJian Taiji association, YiJian 易簡 is a branches of Taiji from Yang style (楊式). Taiji Chuan 太極拳 is only one form of Taiji, the basics. It's focus on none weaponry, the use of Qi, the use (Gong) of your lower body strength 下盤功 (like shifting the center of your weight). And the most important, the use of Qi by controlling your breath(吐納), directed it, its use in lower-stomach area (丹田). Its the basic for the higher Taiji martial art. Like Taiji Sword, Taiji Rod, etc. And its widely spread and taught because of its low entry requirement (for all ages), and good side effect (for sick people, old people, its not hurting the body, but "rebuild it", or require "hard" training to see the effect).
You can find many people practicing Taiji as an art of Qi for health reason, not an art of martial art. But if you truly learn it as a martial art, then while learning, you should learn each 'position' (勢) has its practical martial application (武功). A Taiji martial art (not the art of Qi) teacher will display it to you. But its basic philosophy is peace and harmony, and reaction from your opponent (attack with defense 見機臨敵, 以守待攻). So unless provoke, you should not used it as a mean of attacking, and its very powerful in close hand-to-hand. Teachers often choose the students very carefully, and its better start young. And although Taji has the lowest entry, it also has the longest(hardest) learning curve. An old saying about Taiji martial art is that you need to practice at home for 10 years, before you are able to use it, and its just beginning. And I am not that OLD yet! Also why so few true master of Taiji "martial art". (The art of Qi is different).
As for feel the follow of the Qi, most do after a year of 2, but being one with Qi, and let the Qi guiding your position, not with your mind, its way harder as may actually need 10+, but 5 to 6 years, you will feel it eventually through constant practice everyday. And I saw grand masters who are old, but when he moving, you can feel the Qi like a ball(circle around the body) of shield, you will get the feeling that nothing can get inside the parameter, (not you imagine it for yourself, but been felt by others). Alternate defense you can say.
My father is a master(black 5) in jujutsu, and I learn Tang Lang Quan (螳螂拳) as a kid (close to south factions of Shaolin sect martial art), and I started to learn Taiji as mostly due to health reason, and need some less aggressive practice type. (Like you play basketball as sports, and change to jogging cause less exhaustion), and I believe the philosophy of Taiji, is rooted from Taoism. And also the inner form of art (內功), is base on the theory that your body is like a world of its own, and can sustain itself on its own, without the need of outside help. Many other martial arts often rely on speed, and Taiji focus on slowing down and make lighting moving before you know it. And it fits the philosophy of Zen, since meditation one way to better understanding Qi, and how to guide it through body, and Zen require a peace of mind.
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Topic: Martial Arts / Martial Arts Philosophy / etc (Read 2964 times)