3 star

[windwalker099]

"sweeping close"

video title...

Interesting in that the teacher uses what some might call either 3-Star: "三星撞 (sān xīng zhuàng)" or 5-Star: "五星撞 (wǔ xīng zhuàng)" Body hardening drills done in most CMA styles, thought to condition the muscle and bone for impact.

The drill movements use a movement he calls "reap" very similar to a movement called
"Parting the Wild Horse's Mane" "野马分鬃" (yě mǎ fēn zōng) in Taiji, done in a different way..

The teacher talks about expanding the chest "out" to aid in striking, which is the opposite of what is called
含胸拔背 (hán xiōng bá bèi), expanding the back and sinking the chest used in Taiji.

The method shown the opposite of internal principles 内家拳 (nèi jiā quán),
is based on external principles 外家拳 (wài jiā quán).

thoughts ?

 

[Wing Woo Gar]

"sweeping close"

video title...

Interesting in that the teacher uses what some might call either 3-Star: "三星撞 (sān xīng zhuàng)" or 5-Star: "五星撞 (wǔ xīng zhuàng)" Body hardening drills done in most CMA styles, thought to condition the muscle and bone for impact.

The drill movements use a movement he calls "reap" very similar to a movement called
"Parting the Wild Horse's Mane" "野马分鬃" (yě mǎ fēn zōng) in Taiji, done in a different way..

The teacher talks about expanding the chest "out" to aid in striking, which is the opposite of what is called
含胸拔背 (hán xiōng bá bèi), expanding the back and sinking the chest used in Taiji.

The method shown the opposite of internal principles 内家拳 (nèi jiā quán),
is based on external principles 外家拳 (wài jiā quán).

thoughts ?

We train 3 star or 6 star. My teachers told us never inflate the chest. Also, they said “sink the chest” round the back should not be visible, it’s internal, it’s a “feeling” not an exaggerated posture. Also, the prime movers for the punch are the triceps, the pectoralis major, and teres minor and major. Pulling with the foot, Turning the waist, connecting arm to the back, and maintaining correct posture while moving and striking cannot be accomplished in an efficient manner if the chest is expanded to the front. I would have to disagree with this teacher’s methodology.

 

[windwalker099]

they said “sink the chest” round the back should not be visible, it’s internal, it’s a “feeling” not an exaggerated posture.

This teacher demo's 含胸拔背 (hán xiōng bá bèi), expanding the back sinking the chest **, among other requirement's used in Taiji to create 掤劲 (pēng jìn) "expanding force"

**
" 含胸拔背 (hán xiōng bá bèi), contain the chest, raise the back"

Verbiage used in the video

Verbiage used by different teachers may vary
in explaining the same principles in use.

 

[Kung Fu Wang]

The teacher talks about expanding the chest "out" to aid in striking,

There is no reason that Taiji should define a restriction to restrict Taiji people not doing some body functions.

When you try to "crack" your opponent's elbow joint, you need to expand out your chest to put pressure on his elbow joint.



When you bounce your opponent away with your belly, you also need to expand your chest.

 

[Wing Woo Gar]

There is no reason that Taiji should define a restriction to restrict Taiji people not doing some body functions.

When you try to "crack" your opponent's elbow joint, you need to expand out your chest to put pressure on his elbow joint.



When you bounce your opponent away with your belly, you also need to extend your chest.

Yes, but those are not strikes. When you only try to see things through the wrestling lens you may miss some detail that applies but not to wrestling.

 

[Kung Fu Wang]

Yes, but those are not strikes. When you only try to see things through the wrestling lens you may miss some detail that applies but not to wrestling.

Is Taiji a striking art, wrestling art, or both? Even in striking art, clinch can happen too. To use over hook to crack under hook is very common in a clinch.

 

[Wing Woo Gar]

Is Taiji a striking art, wrestling art, or both? Even in striking art, clinch can happen too. To use over hook to crack under hook is very common in a clinch.

Again, you miss the point. Whether Tai Chi is striking or throwing (it’s both) is irrelevant to this particular discussion. The difference being discussed is related to strikes. If the person isn’t striking, then what you say is relevant, correct, efficient use of body mechanics. People use all kinds of body mechanics for all sorts of things that may work, but are not most efficient for a given action. What you describe works for that action, bowing the chest out is not the most efficient way to strike regardless of the art or style choice.