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| Strength | ||
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What is strength?
This is an interesting question. In the internal martial arts, the idea of
'strength' encompasses a wide range of physical and mental abilities.
Strength is the ability to cope, to endure, to sustain, to see alternatives,
to move skilfully, to deliver power, to see harmonious options instead of
conflictive ones.
In tai chi, having strength of character is as important as physical
prowess.
Cross-training in our
school
All martial arts require the student to be fit for combat.
Tai chi students train: massage, leg stretches, qigong, neigong, form, partnered work, martial sets & drills,
combat and weapons.
The training is done carefully, gently - in a controlled manner - without
exertion or strain. Initially, the training is 'external'. Later it becomes
'internal'.
Fitness
Our class requires the student to achieve a comprehensive degree of fitness.
The following areas must be fully addressed:
Strength
In order to use the fighting skills of tai chi, the student must get
stronger. Without physical strength, the martial art will not work.
If you let go of your
muscular strength your body will start relaxing.
(Bruce Frantzis)
Legendary skill
In a 2008 Stanford University
experiment tai chi expert Chen Xiang generated a force 14 times his
body weight when striking. 0-60 mph in less than 3 seconds. This is power.
Agility
Agility is the ability to change your position efficiently and effectively.
It requires the student to combine balance, speed, strength and
coordination.
Balance
Tai chi students cultivate static balance to begin with. They then work
through increasingly challenging forms of movement designed to improve
dynamic balance.
Flexibility
Flexibility, mobility and suppleness are important concerns when it comes to
avoiding injury. We explore many different ways to increase our range of
movement.
Stamina
Stamina is the ability to sustain prolonged physical or mental effort; to
remain active for a long period of time without fatigue.
Endurance
Endurance is the capacity to withstand hardship. It is the ability to handle
difficulty. To recover from trauma, injury and fatigue.
Coordination
Coordination is all about combining different body parts in action. A simple
example is eye-hand coordination.
The motor abilities of a tai chi person are exceedingly refined; they
possess the grace, coordination and poise of a dancer.
Conditioning
Conditioning is about strengthening the body so that it can cope with the
demands of rigorous exercise without the risk of injury. It is directly
related to stamina and endurance.
He drew his strong bow and invited me to
step behind him and feel his arm muscles.
They were indeed quite relaxed, as though they were doing no work at all.
(Eugen Herrigel)
Work your mind
Watching class DVDs, meditating and
reading about
tai chi, martial strategy and Taoism will
enhance your physical performance.
Progress
Once an exercise becomes familiar and easy, it ceases to challenge the body
and mind.
This is why there is a syllabus in our classes.
Students are encouraged to deepen and widen their range of
skills and continually develop themselves.
Movement quality
Tai chi contains several sequences (forms) that were designed to
simultaneously work the body, improve balance and practice martial arts
skills.
These patterns are taught crudely to beginners.
They become increasingly sophisticated as the syllabus unfolds and the
student becomes capable of performing more subtle and complex movements.
Mobility, stability and control are essential as the body moves through a
wide range of joint angles. Repetition leads to improvement and familiarity.
Mechanical efficiency
Tai chi values efficiency and takes into account the biomechanical nature of
the human body.
Pressure, angles, leverage, range, force and stability must be taken into
consideration.
The aim is to achieve optimal body use: minimum effort producing maximum
effect.
Page created 21 May 1994
Last updated
16 June 2023