Self-Defense Aspects of Tai Chi
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By Suzy Chan | Published June 2006

Over the years, Tai Chi Chuan has become more appealing to middle-aged individuals who require a less strenuous exercise program. Therefore, this exercise program is primarily taught in the United States to promote good health, relieve stress, and tone the body.

However, Tai Chi was fi rst created as a self-defense art form; the old masters used these movements to protect themselves against their adversaries. As some Tai Chi movements originate from the crane and serpent fi ghting theories, you may hear phrases for Tai Chi movements such as “white crane spreading its wings,” “grasp the bird’s tail,” and “snake creeps down” to describe martial arts blocking or attacking techniques. Therefore, to be able to apply the martial arts aspect of Tai Chi, one must fi rst learn and be profi cient in the basics of Tai Chi.

Basic training consists of deep breathing exercises, stretching, strengthening of the legs for good “rooting,” and most importantly, applying the principles of Tai Chi philosophy of good balance and good fl ow of the “chi” or energy. After learning the series of movements which may include defense and attack techniques, then the application of these movements are practiced with a partner by doing “pushing hands” exercises.

When practicing pushing hands, both partners face each other to apply the techniques and to gain sensitivity of each other. They learn how to “root” their bodies from the waist down with good stances, and to be fl exible from the waist up so that they are not easily thrown off balance. As they advance, their sensitivity improves and their ability to feel and anticipate the opponent’s actions and knowing when to yield or resist becomes spontaneous. They learn to determine when their opponent is “off balance” and understand when to apply the ward off, rollback, press and push techniques by using their sense of touch and basic training.

There is a famous Chinese saying “using four ounces of power to overcome a thousand pounds.” If you try to push a cow, there is no way you can accomplish this using sheer force. However, you may lead the cow if you tie a string around his neck. This is the theory of not using sheer force to overcome your adversary. Tai Chi philosophy is based on using “soft” against “hard,” and to use the opponent’s energy to your advantage. The technique of using his energy to circle back and strike against himself with your additional
force is shown in the tai chi symbol, which is a complete circle.

In the Western civilization, for the younger generation, exercises that involve speed and power are more popular. Therefore Tai Chi continues to be more appealing for its health values for the more mature individuals. However, by using and mastering the Tai Chi philosophy of balance, absorbing another’s energy, and using circular movements to neutralize and attack, Tai Chi Chuan is one of the highest forms of martial arts for practitioners of all ages.

Edited Text taken from the book “The Tai Chi World of Suzy Chan” author Suzy Chan