Tai Chi Chuan: Notes On The Classical V The Modern
Posted: Wednesday, February 08, 2012
by Al Case
http://www.alcasebooks.com/
Observing Tai Chi Chuan on the youtube this AM, and it was quite interesting. Young chinese lady presented a modern Tai Chi New Age version, and my mind began to analyze the intricate movements, the rights and wrongs. Of course, one could make the case that there is no right and wrong, there is only interpretation.
But, in this matter of Tai Chi Chuan, should there be interpretation? The young gal flowed like a sparkler in molasses, whirling chi energy, wielding chi power, and was as beautiful as a constellation in the summer sky. But...shouldn't function define the mess?
Standing on one leg performing the Open Kick posture...but borrowing from Shaolin, or perhaps even Taekwondo for the length and the flair and the dazzling impression. But a kick done that way can easily be seen, and easily countered...and to the detriment of the kicker. Shouldn't the foot be light and fleeting, not like a ballet, in and out and defeating the attacker on subtle levels?
Still, she rippled and writhed, and one could see the energy pulsating up the form and out the limbs. But--I am beginning to hate that word 'but'--the energy was contained in body, not brought forth as it would be in combat function. A form done within oneself, without manifesting in the outer, is a form that stifles in nature (in spirit), no matter how pleasing to the eye.
The onlookers, of course, loved how the young lady moved; she captured the eye with her graceful motions. But what does a crowd really understand of the finesse of the inner art? Is this not just a titallation, a playing to the politics of the now and the group mind and the base desire?
I think of the real power available to the practitioner, should they restrict themselves to function, and eschew the clap of hand and intake of breath. I think of the power that ripples unseen, which is what good Tai Chi Chuan should be...invisible to the eye and pleasing to the Gods. Not the masses nor even the muse, not the gold and the glory, but the inner reality of the soul in emptiness, an emptiness that is manipulated beyond the ken of man.
That is the human spirit: an expanding of an Awareness that is beyond the physical senses...and shouldn't that be the thrust of the art of Tai Chi? Shouldn't the true power be built up in the spaces of the spirit, and used only to increase the quality of life in this temporary universe? Shouldn't, when we study our Tai Chi, play to the Gods first, ourselves next, and the people last?
For beautiful, yet combative Tai Chi Chuan, head over to MonsterMartialArts(dot)com and check out Five Army Tai Chi Chuan.
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