Tai Chi: Where Does It Really Lie?

It's hard to say what exactly Tai Chi is about.

OneIt's difficult in terms of principle – Zhang Ruoxiao's Tai Chi principles are all about Zhang Ruoxiao riding a donkey backwards, while Daoists advocate for moving backwards. It breaks people's basic objective cognition, soft can overcome hard, small can conquer big, violating objective norms, common sense that people can easily understand is not considered an art form. You should understand the principle before practicing; if you can't understand it, don't waste time practicing.

TwoMaster Tai Chi is rare, with few kind words, and if you don't understand, you should be beaten in the head. If you don't achieve enlightenment or deep memory, it's a sign that the master is not good. Traditional martial arts are passed down through generations. How many masters can achieve this effect? If the principle is so clear, wouldn't it be a waste of time?

ThreeNowadays, people are overly obsessed with stances and techniques, 'this is my style, this is my lineage.' It's pointless. The more you practice, the less you learn, and the simpler the techniques become. Senior generations said, 'the art of Tai Chi is finished.' Tai Chi is just about circling back and forth with your eyes closed.

FourPracticing without actually gaining anything; it's all in vain. What is 'skill'? It's about condensing energy in the dantian! Old Song said, 'Tai Chi started with circling and then became like a solid iron egg.'

FiveI don't know what Tai Chi is really about. If you don't know this, what's the point of practicing Tai Chi?

SixJudging Tai Chi based on push-hands is a mistake. You need to be able to jump out if you jump in.

SevenWhen it comes to practical application, hanging a hook, raising the chest and lowering the shoulders, rounding the elbows and tucking the knees – few people can actually do it. It's just a matter of luck. Many people think that practicing Tai Chi can improve health, but that's not true. They are winning in their minds, but they haven't developed the actual function of the technique.

EightNo matter how elaborate the stance is, if you can't connect with someone in a real fight, it's useless. Your relaxed and yielding movements are meaningless if you can't connect with someone.

NineTraditional Chinese martial arts rely on 'qi' and 'gong' (spirit and energy). Everything, like 'relaxing' and 'quieting,' is for this purpose.

Ten'Give and take' is a lie; the real thing is 'take and don't give.'

ElevenThe best fighting technique is one that you can actually use, if you can't connect with your opponent, then your technique is useless. It's all about coordination!