A
common saying inside Chinese martial arts tells us that, “people who bow their
head and bend their waist will not achieve a high level of gongfu”. The saying highlights the importance of maintaining a
centred and upright position and is as true for Taijiquan as it is for other
martial disciplines. Letting this ideal position become compromised by leaning
the body inappropriately is a major mistake, as leaning in any direction
inevitably borrows power from other parts of the body.
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| Chen Ziqiang - "central balancing point like a needle standing on end" |
To
overcome the tendency to lean or slant the body, we need to place great
attention on maintaining a straight line to connect the upper and lower body -
from the baihui point, situated on
the top of the head to the huiyin
point, located between the anus and the genitals. The importance of this connection is
reflected in the Taiji saying, “one straight line joining the upper and lower
body”. During his recent seminar in Warsaw’s
Chen Taijiquan Akademie Chen Ziqiang compared this central axis to a needle
balanced so that it is dead straight standing on end. Because the balance is so
fine, to remain upright it has to be adjusted constantly. At the same time the whole
body remains loose and relaxed and qi is allowed to sink down to the dantian. Every movement requires the
waist, with the abdomen as centre, to be constantly adjusted so that the whole
body is balanced. Fulfilling the
requirements of suspending the head, the tailbone straight and centred, storing
the chest and rounding the back, shoulders sunk down elbows lowered, spine
relaxed and the waist loose and agile.
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| Concentrate on attack and defence |
This search for balance should be applied to all aspects of
Taijiquan. A few pointers Chen Ziqiang gave during his six days in Poland included
the importance of:
-
training everything in line with shou yan shenfa bu (hands, eyes,
body and footwork) – with each part of the body (waist, legs etc) doing what
they are supposed to do. [This reminded me of Chen Xiaowang’s statement said
some years ago that “naturalness” was nothing more than every part of the body
conforming to its appropriate function].
-
not just training the dominant side. Most people are right handed
and by training and making the left hand strong as well you can find real
balance. For example, using the sword or broadsword the support hand serves to
add strength to the weapon bearing side. Enlivening the non-dominant side by
performing basic drills with both sides increases the level of coordinated
power that can be brought out.
-
during push hands not just concentrating on attacking – at the
same time as you are attacking you also have to consider defence. Take the case
of Taijiquan’s shuai (throwing
method). It’s not just about learning to throw an opponent; you also have to
train to fall correctly. “Traditional Taijiquan is not like a sporting contest
on a soft mat” [here he was specifically referring to the practice of slapping
the ground to dissipate the force of landing]. In combat on a concrete floor
you protect yourself by curling up as you are falling. Drawing your chin to
your chest and drawing your knees and arms in. “When you land you don’t want to
be in an open and exposed position so an opponent can stamp on you.”
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| Sword form workshop |
