tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1590726566895170666.post8255136371670282256..comments2024-01-27T16:45:09.723-08:00Comments on Talking Chen Taijiquan with David Gaffney: Is "Qi" relevant to today's Taiji boxer?David Gaffneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05378830531925450649noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1590726566895170666.post-33393908139907387592014-04-11T08:03:50.443-07:002014-04-11T08:03:50.443-07:00Mr. Gaffney,
I greatly enjoyed reading your Chen...Mr. Gaffney, <br /><br />I greatly enjoyed reading your Chen Taijiquan book. Your worldwide Tai Chi adventures are also fascinating. <br /><br />Qi (Chi) is certainly not a “thing” like a chemical element, a cell, a bicep, or a rose which have worldwide trans-cultural meaningfulness and which can be accurately measured, quantified, and pragmatically explained. <br /><br />It is more difficult to measure or quantify “feelings” as every psychologist knows, although attempts to specify degrees of feelings are commonplace. Yes, the Olympic medalist has very high levels of pride, accomplishment, success, etc. <br /><br />Qi, however, is used by some to refer to special powers, siddhis, or magical forces. For example, some advocate that if you practice Taijiquan vigorously enough and diligently follow the Master’s instructions you might someday have these extraordinary Qi powers to defeat much stronger opponents in fights. We can, no matter what the culture, clearly sense a person’s strength, agility, speed, youthfulness, bodyweight, flexibility, experience, and martial arts skills; but, their mastery and use of Qi is much more nebulous, vague, and often spurious. I suggest that serious fighters would benefit more by doing calisthenics, aerobic conditioning, practicing techniques and sparring; rather than trying to unclog blocked Qi in meridian channels. You yourself have an extensive background in hard style martial arts which is probably the real foundation of your martial power and skill; as, for example, do Yang Jwing Ming or Bruce Frantzis. <br /><br />It is not ridiculous to question vague ideas, and it is useless to agonize about vague and metaphorical ideas. We can enjoy and benefit greatly from Taijiquan practice, and never have been concerned at all about how many ways the Chinese use the word ‘Qi’ in colloquial language, metaphors, or supernatural allusions. Going out with a hot woman on a hot date may feel very good, but reading 11°F (-10°C) on my outdoor thermometer is understood everywhere as not being hot. Baseball metaphors pepper our American speech, but you will never hit a homerun by talking. <br /><br />I agree that high levels of Taijiquan expertise require more knowledge and appreciation of Chinese culture. So, we keep on learning; but we don't need to believe in mysterious immeasurable forces without empirical justification. <br /><br />Another way of explaining the benefits of Taijiquan, sans Qi, is found in "The Harvard Medical School Guide to Tai Chi" by Peter Wayne.<br /><br />"Let the Force be with you," or be a real force. <br /><br />Mike Garofalo, Cloud Hands BlogMichael P. Garofalohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10884943587006120028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1590726566895170666.post-47752483735228409912014-01-05T11:05:39.328-08:002014-01-05T11:05:39.328-08:00Mr. Gaffney I love to read yours posts please keep...Mr. Gaffney I love to read yours posts please keep on them in 2014!<br />Best regards!<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15607056727320363601noreply@blogger.com