Transitioning to Tàijíquán from External Martial Arts - Martial Journal

[Xue Sheng]

The Journey Inside: Transitioning to Tàijíquán from External Martial Arts​

Perhaps the greatest challenge for external stylists lies in releasing ingrained patterns of tension and forceful movement.

 

[_Simon_]

Really enjoyed that article, thanks Xue

 

[Taiji Rebel]

Introducing martial arts to university clubs with their competitive and sporting elements more than likely removed a lot of the principles which taiji retained. The earlier teachers and practitioners of Japanese martial arts appear to have a more balanced, mindful and zen-like approach to their studies.

It seems a great deal of these principles were further eliminated when the GIs returned home and begun teaching with their limited understanding of the martial arts.

The removal of 'internal' principles and mindful practices from the martial arts has reached a new level in the modern day sports versions we see. Westerners, especially the young, are heavily focused on external rewards such as titles, belts, medals, trophies and endless victories.

As we age we often see the folly of youth and begin refining our thinking, learning from our mistakes, altering our actions and maturing like fine wines.

Thank you for sharing this article, much appreciated

 

[windwalker099]

From the article..

"1. Maintain a Beginner’s Mind and an open mind about new ways of…well, of everything. Remember: Tàijíquán can never replace what you’ve studied and it will make no effort to deny your prior Art.

"You can keep your earlier Art(s) and still invite Tàijíquán in to complement both your Art and your self."

Wondering how many having made the transition would agree with the statement ?

 

[isshinryuronin]

From the article..

"1. Maintain a Beginner’s Mind and an open mind about new ways of…well, of everything. Remember: Tàijíquán can never replace what you’ve studied and it will make no effort to deny your prior Art.

"You can keep your earlier Art(s) and still invite Tàijíquán in to complement both your Art and your self."

Wondering how many having made the transition would agree with the statement ?

I definitely agree with the first four words quoted above. It allows for so many opportunities for learning and understanding. Seeing old things with new eyes can get you excited all over again.

I can't comment on taiji + other art comparisons since I've never studied taiji. But in general, it seems that one's initial mind set in some arts is to yield to an attacker's force while in others it is to deliver your own force. Certainly, each has some element of the other to some extent, but on a basic ingrained mind and muscle memory level I think this difference holds true.

This fact, IMO, makes it difficult to fluidly transist from one methodology to the other (a worthy yet elusive ideal to reach), especially under duress since in such situations we will tend to automatically default to one or the other initial response.