How to Understand Applications

Sometimes I forget that the vast majority of people have never been in any fights. Sure, we've all seen fighting on television, or occasionally on the street, but what to expect or what is common or what possibilities there are involved, most people really don't have a clue. Frankly, that is a good thing as most people are not prepared for actual conflict; however, to truly appreciate what we can learn from Chen Tai Chi, it is important to understand some basics.

The founder of Chen Tai Chi was a general. Fighting is fighting, and although the weapons may differ in one age and arena, generally whenever there is close quarter fighting, it means you're now in an ugly situation whereby we are forced to engage hand to hand, or close enough to have to deal with knives or clubs or whatever.

Imagine, if we had a rifle, and now we're out of ammo. If there are opposing peoples in front of you, and they are trying to kill you or hurt you... how could they do this? They could try to overrun you, try to push you back or off balance you so they can hit you, or grab or claw at you... perhaps they are grabbing you to prevent you from reaching a weapon, perhaps they are grabbing you to stab you with something.

Now if you're left with a hand position from the Chen form, you've got to figure out how could you use that hand position and movement to defend against that kind of attack.

Imagine if you were working on a security detail. If someone under your protection were attacked and they had to get by you through physical contact, how would that happen, or occur? There might be a distraction of some sort, then perhaps a shove or a pull or a grab, or a sudden attack or strike. Would it be a kick? Not likely but possible. Would it be a brick or a padlock held in a towel or a shirt? Perhaps, but now is that security detail in a "gang" situation or are you a law enforcement officer trying to hold back a riotous situation?

Considering the environment we are in, the situations that might befall us, and what someones' objectives are in their attempts to injure, kill or take advantage of us, will help make our Chen Tai Chi more real and more relevant to actual combat.

There isn't anything wrong with 'feel good,' 'spiritual' goals in one's practice of Tai Chi; however, to make one's training in Chen Tai Chi a functional art, we need to understand fighting. It isn't important to participate in it; although it sure is a learning experience, but studying combat and the goals of interpersonal conflict will better prepare you for making Chen Tai Chi a better Kung Fu and help you in learning and training.

As always, comments and questions are always welcome!
J