Yang Family Tai Chi Discussion Board

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Erik:
<B>Hi all,

Frankbabyuk - you said "...as long as it works." Please define "works" in the context of a discussion about Yang Shaohou. Yang Shaohou had a reputation for being one of the meanest Taijiquan fighters in any Taiji styles' history. Are you refering to fighting ability when you say "works"?</B></font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hi,

If your form applications work on an opponent without you having to sacrife any of the posture requirements and principles of Tai Chi Chuan then you can say it "works". Would you agree?

N.B Of course, any technique that conforms to the posture requirements and principles of Tai Chi Chuan is valid, rather than just the techniques in the form, but those are the ones you practice on a daily basis, so it's a good place to start.

Frank

Hi Frank,

I couldn't agree more. Just wanted to make sure we were talking about solid fighting abilities and not just more theory. Here's a cool quote from Tim Cartmell saying basically the same thing you posted:

"...An almost unlimited number of efficient martial techniques (those based on true balance and natural power, which allow us to use our strengths against an opponent's weaknesses and remove us from the threat of physical harm as quickly as possible) are created and developed from a relatively small number of basic principles of body use and technical application."

Good Training - Erik