Introduction to Wudang Taijiquan, Part 2

[...continued from part 1]

Image by toehk via Flickr

The use of inner alchemy in Taijiquan is an exciting transformation to see in a student. The basic theory through the practice of Taijiquan involves a student to learn to turn strength into qi, and qi into spirit. This idea is the transition of force into suppleness, then suppleness into intent. This process cannot exist only on a martial level though. It is a psychological and spiritual change which takes place over the years of practice and development. In this way, Wudang Taijiquan will begin with what seems like complex physical postures and motions. But over time, one begins to blur the lines between these positions so that it is only their energy or qi carrying them. After experiencing this, the final stage is that of allowing their spirit to guide their qi, which guides their body.

The health aspects are life changing. I myself attribute the healing of a long term back injury with Taijiquan practice in my youth. After a devestating car crash, I could no longer train my traditional Shaolin wushu. Through Taijiquan, my spine was rehabilitated and my practice grew. When I left for Wudang in the summer of 2009, I had tore apart my elbow while grappling with a friend. My arm was in a sling and brace. But after a week at Wudang, my mind simply forgot I was injured, and with constant practice day and night the injury never showed itself again.

The first development of Taijiquan will be core strength. With the low stances and long standing postures training, a student develops a healthier core, and strengthens all their joints. This helps protect the body from injuries such as hyper extensions, twisted joints, or pulled muscles. With the addition of stretching and flexibility training, the student also increases their potential, agility, and sense of equilibrium. All of these factors build into one's everyday life.

The belief in vital force or qi can vary from school to school. I take an agnostic approach in which I do not preach or expect my students to believe in any aspect of qi other than what they want to take from it. One can interpret the successful use of qi to proper body alignment, applying angles appropriately through sensitivity of force, to many other factors that go into good Taijiquan form. But there is a truth to the it no matter your view. The idea of applying qi can mean any of these things, or simply the mystical energy which flows through all living creatures. No matter how you see this, it develops the same affects on the body which are proven and time tested.

When discussing application, I must encourage everyone to seek this, no matter what reasonings they have behind their form. The highest level of Taijiquan is that which is receptive to oncoming force, and is capable of reflecting all force into the earth, then back at the opponent. In essence, Taijiquan allows the student to be a spring between an opponent and the earth; receiving the energy is sending it to the earth. The earth then returns it to the attacker. If you train for health reasons, your form's techniques and positions will not be done appropriate without the experience of force coming onto you. This is very hard to understand without experiencing it, but you must find the fine tuning through loss and failure to see where your form is out of line and your energy is blocked or holding.

As far as martial arts and application go, Taijiquan will be a long hard struggle for success. But it blossoms many rewards along the way. At first, the student will learn to deal with oncoming strength, and find ways to react by listening to the opponent's energy. It is not expected that the student will avoid using all force in return, but by learning to listen, the advantage is already gained. Over time, the amount of force being returned decreases, while sensitivity to the oncoming force increases. The ability to remove your own physical intentions from the situation will allow the opponent to dictate your actions. Once in this place, usually a frustration arises, and with continued practice, you will overcome the notion of techniques and "situations" and begin to see the principles of Taijiquan show themselves in the way your body reacts and deals with situations instinctualy.

The vastness of this article could go on forever, so I shall leave you here. Please comment, email, or call with any questions or concerns, and I will do my best to help you find an answer. Although there are many styles and forms of Taijiquan, my home is here with the Wudang arts. No matter the lineage or art form, the most important factor is how your art makes you feel. I will never pressure a student to believe one art or form is superior to another, as they all offer different things at different points in their training. But what I do offer are courses on developing the skills at taught to me by my instructors, and sharing the beauty that I have spent my lifetime searching for.

Best of Wishes in your travels, trainings, and experiences!
~Instructor Michael A. Vollero (夏崇义)