From Jan's Notebook

Tai Chi Applications - Sept. 1, 2010

I was attracted to Tai Chi in the beginning because the movement was so beautiful and I had never experienced being in my body in such an authentic way. As my training continued and I understood more and more what I was into, Tai Chi as a martial art became front and centre for me. Thanks to my training with Sam and organizations like PAWMA and NWMAF and training partners like Melinda Johnson, Allyson Appen, Art Baner, Ed Cooper and Jim Madras, I was able to really explore the martial aspects. Sparring, ground work, joint locks and grappling were as much a part of my practice as solo long form in my yard or on the beach was.

Again, as my training continued and I understood more and more of what I was into, it became quite clear that my training helped me more in the day to day living than in finding a joint lock on someone. One time I was able to use the energy of na or seizing to stop my friend from stepping into the path of an oncoming bus. (That alone was worth all the lessons and training of this art).  My training helps keep me centred and able to sit with a sick friend or teach a crack addict self soothing tools to make it through another day clean. I can also spend all day making beads without hurting my shoulders or wrists by paying attention to my structure and being comfortable as I work. I can breathe when dealing with conflict and find resolution without violence or hard feelings and although I’m still practicing I am able to let go of resentment and regrets easier as they come up.

This is why I got excited when Jim showed me his class description Taijiquan: Thinking Outside of the Boxing Self Defense Against Inanimate Objects and Uncompromising Situations.

The description is as follows:
‘While it is certainly true that Taijiquan has self defense applications in “street” confrontations, chances are good that most folks who study won’t end up in a barfight. Fortunately, the greatest gifts of this art extend well beyond the barroom brawl.
Currently (and thankfully), our attackers are primarily onslaughts of information, traffic, crazy schedules, sitting at the computer… side effects of living in the modern age.
So why study push hands and martial applications? At its core, Taijiquan is about connection: with yourself, your relationship with gravity, and with other beings and objects sharing the planet.
When you train with a partner, your partner is invested in keeping you safe and healthy. Unfortunately, heavy doors, slippery sidewalks, firewood, and paths through the woods don’t have the same concern for you health & well being.’

We begin the 3rd month of training this week for the Yang Full Curriculum and our focus will be on sabre, sword, and spear. I also know our focus won’t be on how many ways we can slice and dice up an opponent, but more on how well we can extend ourselves into this world. And most important to me, we will learn and grow, and gain not just sword and spear skills, but more wonderful life lessons.

Why do we practice Tai Chi? I’ve been asking that question for 25 years. I keep asking it. I only know the practice of this art has made it possible for me to have and enjoy incredible adventures in this life.

Enjoy your practice.

Jan

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