Pao chui

There is a quality in Lao Tzu’s taoism of ‘beginner’s mind’, of raw, naked experience, unencumbered by philosophy or rules.

Taoist martial artists approach the experience of combat with this quality of spontaneity and lack of contrivance.

 (Ron Sieh)

2nd form

After completing and applying the small circle Yang Cheng Fu form, students learn a second and final form.
This form is called pao chui.

It is much more demanding than the first form: requiring agile footwork, excellent body use and the ability to match the form with a partner.


Cannon fist

Pao chui means 'explosive fist' and was designed to encourage a more powerful kind of strike.
The aim is to strike with power, accuracy and control.
It must be a whole-body movement.
And it must also be spontaneous.

Going from nothing to a strike - without telegraphing your intentions - is a difficult skill to master.
It is called 'cold jing'.
In pao chui you must deliver all of your strikes in this manner.

If your repertoire is limited, then you become predictable and obvious.
You must aim to evade, distract, mislead, create opportunities... and strike repeatedly and comfortably (as required).


Solo & partnered

There are two pao chui training methods: solo and partnered.
The form is just the same, but the practice is different:

  1. Solo
    - focus is upon reeling silk, one-pointedness, neigong and footwork
    - aim to be as loose and connected as possible
    - deliver power without commitment
    - employ fa jing rather than force
     

  2. Partnered
    - cultivate your sense of other
    - all movement has meaning relative to your opponent
    - respond to what is occurring
    - feel the relationship

Solo training is preparation for the partnered set. It provides an opportunity to hone your skills.

2 person set

(i) San sau

Pao chui can be performed solo and with a partner. It is a form of san sau/shou.

The partnered set is extremely vigorous.
Students must be mindful, and should expect a cardiovascular workout.
With practice and skill it is possible to train pao chui rapidly - without the cardio element.
You need to be in excellent condition.


(ii) Set pattern

Two students face one another and person A attacks person B.

Each individual must respond to a set attack in a set way, using softness, jing and good body awareness.


(iii) Why use a set pattern?

Following a set routine enables the student to train very specific martial attacks and defences.
Timing, distance and positioning are addressed.
Habit is cultivated.
Familiarity encourages natural, flowing, smooth responses to attack.


(iv) Slow then fast

Initially the 2 person set is performed in a fairly slow way, with each student paying particular attention to form.
Once both students are skilled, the set begins to speed up by itself.
The movements become more subtle and natural; quicker and demanding.

The formality of the set appears to fade and the two students are engaged in vigorous combat training.

Although the fast version may look random, it is not.
The precise movements must be strictly adhered to, and the onus is upon stickiness, sensitivity and the power of the delivery.


What skills are you training?

The pao chui form teaches a number of skills simultaneously:

  1. Angles

  2. Distance

  3. Folding

  4. Jing

  5. Reeling silk

  6. Spontaneity

  7. Stepping

  8. Stickiness

  9. Timing

  10. Yielding


Fast form

Subtlety is the key to the 2 person form. Everything is understated and just enough.
There is a marked absence of flamboyance.

The spirit is one of casual evasion, minimal effort.
Each person just slips aside, maintaining contact and sensitivity throughout.
A larger stance would immediately lead to failure.

Although the 2 person form is a fast form, the speed is a consequence of timing and simplicity rather than hurrying.

Treat this as a template for understanding tai chi combat.


 Under pressure

Pao chui offers people a chance to see how the applications work against somebody else.
There is a danger in training solo all the time.
Theory must be coupled with application.

You need a moving, responsive opponent.
In pao chui you must evade and counter skilfully whilst your opponent is doing the very same thing to you.
The varied, versatile range of applications will test your reflexes and challenge your capacity to remain calm and composed at all times.

In time, you will take the pao chui skills into freeform self defence.

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Page created 1 August 1998