Holds
The tao cannot be avoided.
By attuning to its way, we seem to move less and less with a disturbing
wilfulness;
we move with rather than against the nature of things.
Self interest gets in the way of the tao.
When we move selflessly, we move with grace,
ease and harmony amid apparent confusion.
(Ray Grigg)
Locks and holds
Many martial arts employ
locks and holds successfully.
They are an effective way of restraining an opponent and/or damaging the body.
Unfortunately, locks and holds require commitment.
We seldom use anything akin to a hold.
Grab
Grabbing hold of somebody is only used in tai chi when you are seizing.
Instead of grabbing, we use:
wardoff
4 ounces of pressure
sticky jing
listening jing
A grab is not a good strategy for tai chi. It assumes too much.
Seizing
Seizing is concerned with obtaining an abrupt grip. The grip must be
penetrating and cause immediate pain.
It should ideally take the balance instantly.
This is not a hold. You are not seeking to restrain the person pending
submission.
Seizing is designed to gain the attacker's complete attention.
The discomfort they experience prevents coherent thought and calm emotions.
Keeping hold
Some people consider 'holding' to be a viable skill but we will not be
learning any conventional holds or locks.
If you hold somebody, you are committed to maintaining the hold using sustained
strength.
At some point you must let go and your opponent is free.
What happens then?
Also, what if they have friends or are armed?
What if they are stronger or more aggressive than you?
We train chin na to be a fleeting action, it involves minimal commitment and the
'baby grip' is commonly used.
All 'misplacing the bone' chin na must eventually be performed as a strike.
Strength
If you are
grappling with somebody, softness is your means
of escape.
Strength is an immediate indication of failure.
Force
against force is fruitless even if you are the stronger person; it costs
energy and wears you out.
Use your intuition, your wit and your sensitivity - not your aggression.
Be like water; have substance without tension.
Holding
The notion of holding is concerned with fixity. Tai chi is fundamentally
opposed to holding.
Tai chi is about yielding, flowing and moving.
It is not about fixity.
Holding can be found in different places within your tai chi:
rigid, fixed ideas about things
patterns of tension within your body
habitual responses
emotional reactions
a need to force/control/have your own way
pride
stubbornness
a lack of openness to new/unfamiliar ideas
an unwillingness to try things
clinging to the known/fear of the unknown
Page created 5 March 1999