One thing that most people don't understand about Tai Chi is that Tai Chi is not about fighting its more about not fighting. Once you have the intent to fight, you have already losing against a Tai Chi adept who understands self-defense. Tai Chi is rarely about trying to overpower your opponent. All of my opponents are stronger and faster than me, even a child. If you are fighting you are not doing my interpretation of Tai Chi. My version has gotten me through 60 plus years of this life without much wear and tear on my body. Keep up the great work Susan
It is a very amazing experience once you "release" internally to an incoming antagonist force. Yes, very difficult to explain. Training and practice without intent is most important to overcome what you instinctually believe and how you may respond without thought.
Very well said. We do have to overcome our instinctual beliefs and responses. Practicing with intent gets us there. Thanks for watching and adding your insight!
At last, someone has said what I’ve been saying… “no intent” having no intent on touch enables you to receive and borrow for use. It’s a hard thing for people to grasp as everyone wants to do something. But having no intent of your own allows you to be full of emptiness for a microsecond to gain control… “give yourself up to follow others”. Not what most people seem to think it means.
Thank you! Yes, emptiness is much understood. I cover this topic in my book too! It does take practice, doesn't it!? To let go when being held or under stress. And as you said, it does not have to be for very long....just long enough. Thank you for watching, commenting and for your insight.
One thing most people don't understand about fighting is that none of the examples using people that are unable to do real strikes are realistic, and the only way to use any martial arts for real is training with real strikes and velocity and power. A person that never was punched hard is unable to use any technical skills because they lack the emotional control and physical ability to withstand a punch. It's very easy for a strong guy break an arm with a cross punch. So if one never faced a real fast opponent stepping and punching for real, one doesn't even has the reflexes. Theories about how to use something are just fantasies. And for those who will say "in taichi we avoid the conflict", then it's just stay in home or run away and thus isn't martial. Because I wouldn't run away if someone is threatening my loved ones, I'd fight if needed to defend others who can't defend themselves, and in Qing dynasty when taichichuan was created things weren't like today.
Hey, Christian...you are missing the point of my videos. If you want to watch videos that are about the martial art fighting aspects, then perhaps go to another channel. There are other pratcitioners far more skilled than I, and who focus more on the martial art aspects of Tai Chi. I am teaching something else. My goal is to demonstrate (gently) the internal qualities of Tai Chi, not to use them in fighting engagment. Check out folks like Phoenex Mountain Tai Chi, or Mark Rassmus, or Howard of Prana Dynamics (who is incredibly high skilled and said his skills escalated when he...stopped fighting). Anyway to each his own. Thanks for your comment and for watching. I hope you find what you are seeking in TH-cam videos. If not, go ahead and make some of yoru own and help out the Tai Chi community!
@InternalTaiChi you missed my point, I didn't mean any personal attack on you. I'm talking about the art, about taichichuan being a martial art, and therefore, any analysis of it considering that side of the art - we know there are civil and martial, and of course you're not showing off fighting, it's obvious, but what I'm saying is: the slow form practice aims to prepare the body, development of body awareness and qualities, so as tuishou trains understanding and applying jins, I do like your videos, however when it comes to application for martial aspects, I don't agree and made my comment for those who might want to know there are more practices other than the form which are fighting oriented, it's pretty naive to think about an isolated set movement as that, not saying it can't illustrate an idea with a big alert that it's just a baby idea. I'm not saying anything to diminish your training, you have your own life and took your time to share ideas and I appreciate that. 🙏 Everything has ☯️ aspects, some will say things you like and others don't, part of what you said in your video is training the ability to handle external pressure against oneself, by your response it seems you only want comments If they are saying "wow"...
@@ChristianoSts Thank you for your respectful response. I think we actually share very similar views on Tai Chi, and I'd like to clarify the intention behind what I demonstrated. In my video, when I show partner work, it's specifically designed to help students feel and understand the internal aspects of Tai Chi in their bodies. These exercises create a feedback loop that develops awareness - the same awareness you need in solo practice and everyday life. This isn't about fighting or martial applications. I realize there might have been some confusion when Meleah asked about self-defense. While it's true that advanced practitioners can use Tai Chi effectively for self-defense, that's not what I'm teaching in my content. My videos focus purely on developing those internal principles and body awareness. I appreciate your support and perspective on fighting-oriented martial arts. Moving forward, I'll be more clear that my demonstrations are focused on understanding the internal aspects of Tai Chi.
Hi susan, there are also aikido masters who uses connection and intention to control the opponent, some also do it from a far, like Watanabe sensei did.
Yes! That is the next level described in my upcoming book.....to be able to influence without the need to touch physically. Great insight. Thank you for sharing!
@InternalTaiChi thanks for the comment. I'm able to do it on myself, but i can't do it on others, with or without touching. Do you have any idea why ? 🥺😔
@InternalTaiChi thanks, I'm talking about a situation that their just standing, not moving, and I'm connecting to their fascia by touching their arms, liked you showed in your videos, but it doesn't appear to work. Also i don't understand the difference between taking their force to absorbing it, please explain 🙏
@@shalom-shalom Thanks for the great questions. Firstly, make sure you watch my videos on my fascia playlist. They put together a pretty good tutorial on the topic of connecting to the fascia. Secondly I will try to make a video on the topic of your question about "taking" the force and "absorbing" the force. That is a good question!
Thank you. I like that statement you made: "Martial Art is about growing, not fighting." Indeed you are correct! Also, the effectiveness of martial art fighting application does take practice and time. I do believe additionally, that the underyling skills can be acquired relatively quickly, though not for fighting. That is why I have chosen Meleah as my student to put on video. She has no previous experience. I want to show how easy it is to obtain these skills, and how quickly someone can learn and apply them. I want to bust the tradition of having to spend 40 years training before acquiring any skills that are worthwhile. Give me ten minutes! Then we can take those skills and move them into daily life; handling confrontations and life challenges with more confidence and grace. That is where it really matters, as you said...growth, not fighting! Thank you for remaining engaged, sharing your excellent insight and growing with me! I appreciate your support. 🙏
@InternalTaiChi I think martial art is a companion. I simply believe that martial arts is something that accompanies us throughout our lives and not a skill that we have to achieve at a certain point. Martial arts helps to us to grow and if you learn Quick with a good teacher like you it is a lot of fun. On the other hand there is not such a thing like an point where you have it. It is flowing and growing the whole live. I once have had a very stupid student who asked me how long do I have my blackbelt. I told him 7 years. He pointed to another black belt and said that this one has only had his for three years. ' Well', he says 'some people just need longer'. It is so funny and on the other hand so wise. There is no such thing as a shortcut in martial arts like there is no shortcut in live. If you learn good with a good teacher you are simply better.
I love this. Thank you. Very insightful and wise. Tai Chi (and Qigong) is a companion for life! Never ending, always growing and revealing new layers and diminsions of understanding.
Well,to answer the question: Yes, TaiChi can be used for self defense.But,it depends how you train. I realize that what you're teaching is for "daily life applications" which is cool. In Taiwan,they hardly use the term "yielding".They use the terms 接 Jie(receive)and 化 Hua(change, transform). So by using the ideas of receive and transform,self defense can be developed. You did mention "connect" which is good.But when you mention yielding as going limp,it doesn't make sense.(Btw,松"Song" is also not about going limp)Yielding is giving someone the right of way like getting on a freeway. So,if you study the idea of 化Hua,you will get a better understanding of how to apply TaiChi. I apologize if sound like a know-it-all but I've been training in TaiChi for quite a while and I speak Mandarin so I do know the terminology and concepts involved. Keep up the good intention in your training ✌️
This is good stuff that you are sharing. You do not sound like a "know-it-all" because you are sharing information in a respectful manner. The entire point of my video demonstrating that yielding is NOT going limp and Song is NOT about going limp....I said going limp is NOT what you want to do. Rather I demonstrated the difference between losing yourself or your posture in what some think "yielding" is about (going limp or just getting out of the way) versus connecting with the incoming force and maintaining personal or postural integrity. I absolutely love that there is not really a term for "yielding" in Taiwan, but rather "receive" and "change, transform". That perfectly illustrates what I was trying to convey in my video and is a validating bit of knowledge. I enjoyed reading and learning these specific terms from you. Thank you.
Sorry but at 7:16 you agreed with your partner than you went "limp".So,next time maybe you should clarify that that's not what's happening.In other words,describe to your partner and the audience,more specifically the difference between being "limp" and "song".Take care ✌️@@InternalTaiChi
❤"I truly believe that the only way a woman can overpower a man in a fight is through mastering the art of Qi Gong. Physically, it’s nearly impossible for her to match the muscular strength of a man, but there’s still a very long journey to reach the level of skill and ability required to use it effectively in a real fight. Just imagine how different the punches of an aggressive man are compared to the friendly punches of your close friend."
@@shavan-n2f My intent in showing these skills is not really to overcome the punch of a man in a fight. Rather it is to develop the internal skills by using them with practice scenarios such as a practice partner. Once the skills are felt and developed, then these internal skills are taken in to a context of managing oneself in daily life; in other words these external practices are a practice ground and metaphor for transfering these skills into life - the challenges, the confrontations of life.
@@InternalTaiChi Your work is truly valuable. I know how much mastering proper posture and efficiently transferring force to the spine, pelvis, etc., can be beneficial in daily life and conserve energy. However, since the topic was about self-defense, I felt it would be better to stay closer to practical realities. That said, your teachings, as always, are incredibly useful. 🙏
This is biased and incorrect. I’ve met some incredible woman martial artists in my journey. These skills are not about muscular strength anyway. This is a skill demo video not a sparring match. That is obvious. This teacher is very knowledgeable and skilled. Why don’t you spend time developing your skills instead?
@@shavan-n2f@shavan-n2f Yes, you are correct. I would much prefer to discuss how these techniques and principles apply to daily life. I was only addressing Meleah's question and then using that as a platform to demonstrate. The next step is to move from the tangible of partner practice (which hones the skills and offers validation of posture, Song, etc), and move them into solo practice and daily life. I believe this is a good progression. I do mention throughout the video (in the written title cards) that all of what is demonstrated is a metaphor for how to navigate through life challenges...a much more applicable skill set for us all! So I am in total agreement with you and appreciate your insight and respectful feedback!
@@Allen2saint Well said. Perhaps he is seeking, not criticizing? Funny, I must have "released at the point of contact" because I did not percieve his input as adversarial....lol. I do apprecaite your comment and support Thank you!
One thing that most people don't understand about Tai Chi is that Tai Chi is not about fighting its more about not fighting. Once you have the intent to fight, you have already losing against a Tai Chi adept who understands self-defense. Tai Chi is rarely about trying to overpower your opponent. All of my opponents are stronger and faster than me, even a child. If you are fighting you are not doing my interpretation of Tai Chi. My version has gotten me through 60 plus years of this life without much wear and tear on my body. Keep up the great work Susan
Thank you. The best fight is no fight. Thank you for sharing your insight! 👍
Well presented.
The intent: I mean you no harm, is powerful.
Thank you. I am so glad you understood it on the level I had ... intended! Thanks for watching and commenting and sharing your insights.
It is a very amazing experience once you "release" internally to an incoming antagonist force.
Yes, very difficult to explain.
Training and practice without intent is most important to overcome what you instinctually believe and how you may respond without thought.
Very well said. We do have to overcome our instinctual beliefs and responses. Practicing with intent gets us there. Thanks for watching and adding your insight!
@@InternalTaiChi
Always enjoy watching your videos!
Very practical and calming energy in your classes... Nice!
@paulyuran8902 Thank you! I appreciate your positive feedback. Thanks for watching and commenting.
At last, someone has said what I’ve been saying… “no intent” having no intent on touch enables you to receive and borrow for use. It’s a hard thing for people to grasp as everyone wants to do something. But having no intent of your own allows you to be full of emptiness for a microsecond to gain control… “give yourself up to follow others”. Not what most people seem to think it means.
Thank you! Yes, emptiness is much understood. I cover this topic in my book too! It does take practice, doesn't it!? To let go when being held or under stress. And as you said, it does not have to be for very long....just long enough. Thank you for watching, commenting and for your insight.
One thing most people don't understand about fighting is that none of the examples using people that are unable to do real strikes are realistic, and the only way to use any martial arts for real is training with real strikes and velocity and power. A person that never was punched hard is unable to use any technical skills because they lack the emotional control and physical ability to withstand a punch. It's very easy for a strong guy break an arm with a cross punch. So if one never faced a real fast opponent stepping and punching for real, one doesn't even has the reflexes. Theories about how to use something are just fantasies. And for those who will say "in taichi we avoid the conflict", then it's just stay in home or run away and thus isn't martial. Because I wouldn't run away if someone is threatening my loved ones, I'd fight if needed to defend others who can't defend themselves, and in Qing dynasty when taichichuan was created things weren't like today.
Hey, Christian...you are missing the point of my videos. If you want to watch videos that are about the martial art fighting aspects, then perhaps go to another channel. There are other pratcitioners far more skilled than I, and who focus more on the martial art aspects of Tai Chi. I am teaching something else. My goal is to demonstrate (gently) the internal qualities of Tai Chi, not to use them in fighting engagment. Check out folks like Phoenex Mountain Tai Chi, or Mark Rassmus, or Howard of Prana Dynamics (who is incredibly high skilled and said his skills escalated when he...stopped fighting). Anyway to each his own. Thanks for your comment and for watching. I hope you find what you are seeking in TH-cam videos. If not, go ahead and make some of yoru own and help out the Tai Chi community!
@InternalTaiChi you missed my point, I didn't mean any personal attack on you. I'm talking about the art, about taichichuan being a martial art, and therefore, any analysis of it considering that side of the art - we know there are civil and martial, and of course you're not showing off fighting, it's obvious, but what I'm saying is: the slow form practice aims to prepare the body, development of body awareness and qualities, so as tuishou trains understanding and applying jins, I do like your videos, however when it comes to application for martial aspects, I don't agree and made my comment for those who might want to know there are more practices other than the form which are fighting oriented, it's pretty naive to think about an isolated set movement as that, not saying it can't illustrate an idea with a big alert that it's just a baby idea. I'm not saying anything to diminish your training, you have your own life and took your time to share ideas and I appreciate that. 🙏 Everything has ☯️ aspects, some will say things you like and others don't, part of what you said in your video is training the ability to handle external pressure against oneself, by your response it seems you only want comments If they are saying "wow"...
@@ChristianoSts Thank you for your respectful response. I think we actually share very similar views on Tai Chi, and I'd like to clarify the intention behind what I demonstrated.
In my video, when I show partner work, it's specifically designed to help students feel and understand the internal aspects of Tai Chi in their bodies. These exercises create a feedback loop that develops awareness - the same awareness you need in solo practice and everyday life. This isn't about fighting or martial applications.
I realize there might have been some confusion when Meleah asked about self-defense. While it's true that advanced practitioners can use Tai Chi effectively for self-defense, that's not what I'm teaching in my content. My videos focus purely on developing those internal principles and body awareness.
I appreciate your support and perspective on fighting-oriented martial arts. Moving forward, I'll be more clear that my demonstrations are focused on understanding the internal aspects of Tai Chi.
Hi susan, there are also aikido masters who uses connection and intention to control the opponent, some also do it from a far, like Watanabe sensei did.
Yes! That is the next level described in my upcoming book.....to be able to influence without the need to touch physically. Great insight. Thank you for sharing!
@InternalTaiChi thanks for the comment. I'm able to do it on myself, but i can't do it on others, with or without touching. Do you have any idea why ? 🥺😔
It may be that you are taking their force or power into your body rather than absorbing it first. Try that and let me know.
@InternalTaiChi thanks, I'm talking about a situation that their just standing, not moving, and I'm connecting to their fascia by touching their arms, liked you showed in your videos, but it doesn't appear to work.
Also i don't understand the difference between taking their force to absorbing it, please explain 🙏
@@shalom-shalom Thanks for the great questions. Firstly, make sure you watch my videos on my fascia playlist. They put together a pretty good tutorial on the topic of connecting to the fascia. Secondly I will try to make a video on the topic of your question about "taking" the force and "absorbing" the force. That is a good question!
Again fantastic explanation. Martial Art is growing not fighting. Fighting is a sideprodukt you can use if you worked hard and a lot.
Thank you. I like that statement you made: "Martial Art is about growing, not fighting." Indeed you are correct! Also, the effectiveness of martial art fighting application does take practice and time. I do believe additionally, that the underyling skills can be acquired relatively quickly, though not for fighting. That is why I have chosen Meleah as my student to put on video. She has no previous experience. I want to show how easy it is to obtain these skills, and how quickly someone can learn and apply them. I want to bust the tradition of having to spend 40 years training before acquiring any skills that are worthwhile. Give me ten minutes! Then we can take those skills and move them into daily life; handling confrontations and life challenges with more confidence and grace. That is where it really matters, as you said...growth, not fighting! Thank you for remaining engaged, sharing your excellent insight and growing with me! I appreciate your support. 🙏
@InternalTaiChi
I think martial art is a companion.
I simply believe that martial arts is something that accompanies us throughout our lives and not a skill that we have to achieve at a certain point.
Martial arts helps to us to grow and if you learn Quick with a good teacher like you it is a lot of fun.
On the other hand there is not such a thing like an point where you have it. It is flowing and growing the whole live.
I once have had a very stupid student who asked me how long do I have my blackbelt.
I told him 7 years.
He pointed to another black belt and said that this one has only had his for three years.
' Well', he says 'some people just need longer'.
It is so funny and on the other hand so wise.
There is no such thing as a shortcut in martial arts like there is no shortcut in live.
If you learn good with a good teacher you are simply better.
I love this. Thank you. Very insightful and wise. Tai Chi (and Qigong) is a companion for life! Never ending, always growing and revealing new layers and diminsions of understanding.
Well,to answer the question: Yes, TaiChi can be used for self defense.But,it depends how you train.
I realize that what you're teaching is for "daily life applications" which is cool.
In Taiwan,they hardly use the term "yielding".They use the terms 接 Jie(receive)and 化 Hua(change, transform).
So by using the ideas of receive and transform,self defense can be developed.
You did mention "connect" which is good.But when you mention yielding as going limp,it doesn't make sense.(Btw,松"Song" is also not about going limp)Yielding is giving someone the right of way like getting on a freeway.
So,if you study the idea of 化Hua,you will get a better understanding of how to apply TaiChi.
I apologize if sound like a know-it-all but I've been training in TaiChi for quite a while and I speak Mandarin so I do know the terminology and concepts involved.
Keep up the good intention in your training ✌️
This is good stuff that you are sharing. You do not sound like a "know-it-all" because you are sharing information in a respectful manner. The entire point of my video demonstrating that yielding is NOT going limp and Song is NOT about going limp....I said going limp is NOT what you want to do. Rather I demonstrated the difference between losing yourself or your posture in what some think "yielding" is about (going limp or just getting out of the way) versus connecting with the incoming force and maintaining personal or postural integrity. I absolutely love that there is not really a term for "yielding" in Taiwan, but rather "receive" and "change, transform". That perfectly illustrates what I was trying to convey in my video and is a validating bit of knowledge. I enjoyed reading and learning these specific terms from you. Thank you.
Sorry but at 7:16 you agreed with your partner than you went "limp".So,next time maybe you should clarify that that's not what's happening.In other words,describe to your partner and the audience,more specifically the difference between being "limp" and "song".Take care ✌️@@InternalTaiChi
@@worldtraveler007 In our system we yield to return
❤"I truly believe that the only way a woman can overpower a man in a fight is through mastering the art of Qi Gong. Physically, it’s nearly impossible for her to match the muscular strength of a man, but there’s still a very long journey to reach the level of skill and ability required to use it effectively in a real fight. Just imagine how different the punches of an aggressive man are compared to the friendly punches of your close friend."
@@shavan-n2f My intent in showing these skills is not really to overcome the punch of a man in a fight. Rather it is to develop the internal skills by using them with practice scenarios such as a practice partner. Once the skills are felt and developed, then these internal skills are taken in to a context of managing oneself in daily life; in other words these external practices are a practice ground and metaphor for transfering these skills into life - the challenges, the confrontations of life.
@@InternalTaiChi Your work is truly valuable.
I know how much mastering proper posture and efficiently transferring force to the spine, pelvis, etc., can be beneficial in daily life and conserve energy.
However, since the topic was about self-defense, I felt it would be better to stay closer to practical realities.
That said, your teachings, as always, are incredibly useful. 🙏
This is biased and incorrect. I’ve met some incredible woman martial artists in my journey. These skills are not about muscular strength anyway. This is a skill demo video not a sparring match. That is obvious. This teacher is very knowledgeable and skilled. Why don’t you spend time developing your skills instead?
@@shavan-n2f@shavan-n2f Yes, you are correct. I would much prefer to discuss how these techniques and principles apply to daily life. I was only addressing Meleah's question and then using that as a platform to demonstrate. The next step is to move from the tangible of partner practice (which hones the skills and offers validation of posture, Song, etc), and move them into solo practice and daily life. I believe this is a good progression. I do mention throughout the video (in the written title cards) that all of what is demonstrated is a metaphor for how to navigate through life challenges...a much more applicable skill set for us all! So I am in total agreement with you and appreciate your insight and respectful feedback!
@@Allen2saint Well said. Perhaps he is seeking, not criticizing? Funny, I must have "released at the point of contact" because I did not percieve his input as adversarial....lol. I do apprecaite your comment and support Thank you!