太極拳

The martial art of taiji quan was developed specifically as an application of classical yin yang theory, demonstrating the validity of the theory and putting it to practical use. The adherence to the principles of yin yang are what gives taiji quan its distinctive qualities.

Traditional taiji quan training seems to us to closely resemble the written descriptions of daoyin and guiding qi found in ancient texts, where these are listed among the therapeutic tools at a doctors disposal. When you read the classics from a foundation of practice you recognize the experiences described. This makes us certain that the people who developed taiji quan did so on a foundation of knowledge firmly rooted in the classic texts, making this art a living example of practically applied Neijing theory.

We use exercises and concepts taken from the taiji quan corpus to:

  • Demonstrate the dynamics of a traditional system of daoyin;
  • Experience the fundamental nature of guiding qi;
  • Experience yin yang dynamics first hand in real time;
  • Learn to distinguish “heart” and “mind”;
  • Bring subtle and overlooked capabilities to life;
  • Delve into the subtle layers of experience.

One of taiji quan’s strong points is the feed back loops between two person drills and solo exercises which bring subtle and overlooked experiences and capabilities to light. We make use of exercises, meditations, and drills taken from the taiji quan corpus to bring otherwise empty ideas to life and guide students towards mind opening experiences.

Although the taiji quan we incorporate into our Neijing studies is not overtly martial in nature, taiji quan is a very well designed and effective martial art, students that wish to explore this aspect can be directed to our affiliated boxing programs.

文武雙全

Traditional taiji quan training theory and methods share with the Neijing a common focus on the dynamics of jing 精，qi 氣 and shen 神 and the pivotal importance of these in the processes of health and illness. The Neijing provides a deep theoretical background for the often esoteric and counter intuitive methods of taiji quan while the practice of taiji quan brings ideas in the Neijing that would otherwise remain almost entirely theoretical to life through practical application.

蓋言道者非自修身無由得也然又分為三乘之修法乘者成也上乘即大成也下乘即小成也中乘即誠之者成也法分三修成功一也文修於內武修於外體育內也武事外也其修法內外表裏成功集大成即上乘也由體育之文而得武事之武或由武事之武而得體育之文即中乘也然獨知體育之不知武事而成者或專武事不為體育而成者即小成也

                                                                                                                                       太極拳使用法 1931

                                                                                  

Undoubtably, in speaking of the Dao, without cultivating oneself it will be unattainable.

As for the methods of this cultivation we can say there are three ways to make use of them, those that make this effort will achieve accomplishment.

The higher usage undertakes a great accomplishment. The lower usage undertakes a lesser accomplishment. The middle usage undertakes a sincere and honest accomplishment. The method is divided in three, still the accomplished skill is one. Refined cultivation is not martial and is internal, martial cultivation is external, physical culture is internal, martial affairs are external.

That method of cultivation in which internal and external, outside and inside are all brought together reaches the highest usage.

Coming to the fierceness of martial affairs by means of the gentleness of physical culture or coming to the gentleness of physical culture by means of the fierceness of martial affairs, this is the undertaking of the middle usage.

Thus only knowing physical culture and not knowing martial affairs and yet being accomplished or focusing on martial affairs.                                                                                                                          

Methods of Applying Taiji Boxing 1931