Tips
Movement and Power
Tai Chi is an excellent way to channel your emotions and energy. Learning the basics of movement and how to use energy as power and strength.
Efficency Of Movement
To reach a level of effectiveness in self-defense, all responsive movement must be internalized to the point where it is executed automatically. If you have to think about the movement, it is too late.
Because Taiji combines co-ordination, balance and the internalization of complex motor programs, advanced practitioners would provide excellent subjects to further investigate how the brain is involved in motor programming, exploring connections between the Prefrontal cortex (responsible for initiation and programming of motor sequences) the dorsal and ventral stratum of the basal ganglia (responsible for habit formation), and the cerebellum (responsible for balance, co-ordination and control of voluntary movement).
The way movement is controlled in the brain suggests the basal ganglia region is ‘exercised’ in Taijiquan. On a movement basis, the motor cortex sends info to the basal ganglia and cerebellum, and both send info back via the thalamus.
The overall effect of the basal ganglia on the thalamus is inhibitory, while the overall effect of the cerebellum is excitatory.
An important function of the basal ganglia is to stop (put the brakes on) unwanted movement. Taiji movement strives for perfect efficiency with absolutely no extraneous or purposeless movement – as the classics say, “no excess, no deficiency”.
Smooth, coordinated, efficient movement is a function of the balance between the inhibitory (Yin) basal ganglia and the excitatory (Yang) cerebellum systems and their communication with the motor cortex. The balanced interplay of Yin and Yang is the very definition of Taiji.
Strength And Power
In traditional terms, the power of Taiji is described as a strong and solid but also smooth, elastic and economical force. This strength is referred to as ‘internal power’ to distinguish it from ‘external’ rigid and inefficient strength of brute force or globally contracted muscles.
The strength of the energy gathered from correct Taijiquan practice is eventually obvious to the practitioner – as an expanding, solid feeling, analogous to the elastic strength of an inflated ball.
This fundamental strength is called ‘peng energy’. The ‘8 forces’ of Taiji – peng / lu / ji /an / cai / lie / zhou / kao – specifically characterize the direction and length (or duration) of different forces.
The combination of potential directions, duration’s and lengths of forces are vast and best internalized to become a natural response to an attack. By practicing the Taiji form many times following the guidelines for practice set out by an accomplished teacher,these skills become fully integrated with ones mind and body.
Looking at the masters, we can see that
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"Niall O’Floinn is a masterful Tai-Chi teacher. He guides his students with subtle grace through the intricacies of this beautiful practice." Dr. Michael Hogan (Psychologist & Author of 'The culture of our thinking in relation to spirituality'
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