Chang Shi Taijiquan and how is it Applied
Taijiquan is made up of kicks and strikes to close, create or maintain distance, to neutralize an attack or create one for attachment control or take-downs.
Attachments are meant to seize, control, destabilize or throw an opponent. Chang Shi Taijiquan uses offensive actions to create opportunities for an attack. It puts an opponent in a defensive position which instigates an action or response. Through seizing, one gains attachment to
control, destabilize and or throw an opponent.
Taijiquan involves the use, and or borrowing of force, using momentum or strength. This is something that good grapplers are efficient at. Grapplers are more in line with Taijiquan principles than most Taijiquan practitioners.
If I need to wait to borrow force or momentum to initiate, I am putting myself in a position where I must handle any type of attack and or momentum generated. In most situations you have the upper hand if you initiate an attack. The idea of just borrowing or neutralizing, redirecting and not using your own force makes sense, but only for those with expert timing and in-depth understanding of fight science would be able to do this effectively. And for them to be able to do that they would have had to also learn and be able to apply external type movements to understand the use of the internal type concepts. Hence grapplers in the beginning use a lot of muscle and try and overcome with speed, strength and force. Some but not all will develop borrowing force, strength and speed. This is true in internal development.
Taiji as a method would live up to its name if a practitioner could truly attach, destabilize and break the structure of an opponent and not use what some would call external skills. And even if that is the goal you need a way to develop it. Meaning you need to actually apply, not just theorize or use leverage techniques against a willing assistant. To be effective you need a balance, is that not what Taiji and its philosophy present? Chang Shi Taijiquan is balanced as to when to apply external or internal concepts. If those two words really have meaning. Any good practitioner of any body movement system such as a sports athlete, like a tennis player, or
basketball or combat sports like a boxer or a grappler, will use a balance as they develop their skills to use force, strength and speed when needed and borrow yours when needed as well.
Taiji and Taijiquan are very popular. I feel some are concerned about if they use force or see it as being balanced and more natural. They believe they would lose the older people and those with no concern for fighting application. I disagree: Taiji and Taijiquan should be seen for all stages of life and a natural progression in development, not mysticism; it is a fighting system that provides excellent health benefits as well.
Sifu Paul Wayne Gerald