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After an energetic training session in our martial classes, we cool down by performing the Taiji hand form.
Taking 15-20 minutes to perform in total, the slow movements effectively perform the function of a therapeutic warm-down, encouraging the muscles and joints to move through their range of motion while operating at a reduced intensity. Meanwhile, one gains all the other benefits of practising the hand form – one works through an efficient template of the style’s martial movements while training balance, co-ordination and focus.
The tiredness experienced after expending energy in pushing hands practice and sparring also helps encourage relaxation and efficient use of minimum muscular tension, which also benefits one’s practice of the form.
Below are some photos taken during a martial class (photography by Steve Musselwhite).
Today Taijiquan is well-known as a health system. However, it is also an effective martial art and was once taught to Manchurian Bannerman and Qing princes who ruled China at the time of Taijiquan’s rise to prominence.
Traditionally, martial artists in China tested their skills against other styles at lei tai events, where fighters would compete on a raised platform without ropes. Originally these contests would have been no-holds-barred. However, nowadays rules have been introduced to ensure the safety of competitors while still maintaining a realistic level of contact. Modern san shou competition rules can be broadly compared to kickboxing with stand-up wrestling and penalties given for being driven off the platform.
The lineage of Oxford Wudang has preserved the Taijiiquan fighting heritage, and our club has had many members who have competed in full-contact competitions, including national champions.
This level of training is not for everyone; those who are willing to put in the effort and commitment can participate in sparring sessions during our martial classes, beginning with light contact and moving up to full-contact training as skill and conditioning progresses. All other aspects of the training – forms, pushing hands (grappling) training, practical applications drills, padwork & conditioning training – feed into and inform this live training practice.
Below is a slideshow album of photographs taken during a recent sparring session (Photography by Steve Musselwhite). Due to the fast-paced nature of bouts it’s very difficult to capture moments perfectly on film, so we’re grateful that Steve has managed to take some very good photos here…!
One of the benefits of regular Taiji practice is the release of stress and unwanted postural tension, allowing the breath to flow smoothly and unhindered.
Martially, this aids in the efficient transmission of force, without interference of postural muscle tension upon functional muscle use; it also allows the practitioner to move in a relaxed way and conserve stamina.
In the video below Dave discusses the concepts of tension, relaxation and breathing as they relate to the Taiji hand form postures and movements.
One of the fundamental principles is maintaining a structurally sound stance. The Tai Chi Discourse states:
The root is in the feet;
Discharging is done by the legs,
The controlling power is in the waist,
And the appearance is in the hand and fingers. [1]
In health-based Tai Chi practice, correct stances are integral for ensuring joint health of the lower legs and for supporting the functioning of the leg muscles. In martial Tai Chi practice, stances are vital for ensuring one can effectively absorb and redirect the force of an opponent.
In the video below, Dave provides instruction in some of the basic principles of stance-work.
This series of photographs shows Chris (red) initiating right and left pushes with the intent of unbalancing his opponent.
Dave (black), listening for changes in his opponent’s movement detects Chris’s intent, absorbing the right push with a solidly structured stance and redirecting the left push using softness and flexibility, guiding Chris’s force into “the void” (i.e. unbalancing the attacker).
Principles of Yin and Yang
External use of yin yang –
In the martial art of taijiquan, the principles of yin and yang are followed. Attacking follows yang characteristics, defending follows yin. A taiji player aims to counter an attacker’s yang by using yin to absorb and defuse the attack. The yang force is not met head on and blocked, yang is not used against yang. Instead the defender moves aside of the attack or diffuses it by absorbing it, this follows yin characteristics. Once an attacker’s yang has been nullified, he or she is vulnerable and often unbalanced, becoming yin, and yang can then be used in a counter-attack.
Educated force, jin, force with technique, stemming from an understanding of yin and yang, is essential to taiji. The ability to switch between effective yin and yang quickly requires suppleness, agility and responsive speed and power.
The Taiji hand form consists of a series of movements in which yin and yang interchange. It develops awareness of the way yin and yang can be used in self-defence and of the way your body works naturally.
Drilling applications and pushing hands styles in class develops your practical and actual physical understanding of yin yang theory and not just an intellectual understanding.
Internal use of yin and yang –
Natural body movements and mechanics also reflect yin yang theory and an internal awareness of this in your training develops a natural physical and mental compose. Muscles work in antagonistic pairs, one contracts the other lengthens, yin and yang. An excess of yang produces unwanted tension and will constrict, slow, weaken and desensitise your movements. Too much stress in your mind is too much yang and a clam responsive awareness is yin, so the mind needs a balance of yin and yang as well.
Taiji is yin and yang in harmony.
Some ancient European symbols of similar appearance –
This is a mixed activity class which includes both health training (hand form and partner exercises), and martial training – pushing hands (grappling), self-defence techniques and pad work. The university class has been running a long time, since some point in the 1990s, if anyone remembers when exactly please let us know!
In our classes we use pushing hands (Tui Shou) training in a live, free-style manner to train grappling skills, controlling the opponent in close quarters, and setting up throwing and locking techniques. Throughout we train to employ taiji principles of Yin and Yang, softness, following, adhering, continuity, and rejecting brute force in favour of skilled technique – tactics which are difficult to maintain when in a competitive situation.
The photo set below (photography by Steve Musselwhite) illustrates a session involving Pushing Hands training, capturing some moments where the class members are both searching for and exploiting weaknesses in their opponents’ defence.
