Hi XJ,extrajoseph wrote:Hi Dan,
I am certain that traditional Yang Taijiquan desires a posture similar to image “A” because that is the natural state of being and the only way to generate power in a “wuwei” way.
The problem is many of the so-called masters misinterpreted the classic and tell their students to tuck in their tailbone when in fact 尾閭中正 says, “let the tailbone be centrally correct”, that is in their natural state without distortion.
Also they tell their students to tuck in their chin and lift their head up when in fact 虛靈頂勁 says, “Without and undue efforts, hold the head as though being suspended from above”, again that is to allow the spine to be in good working order without being taxing on any of the joints and/or pressure points.
Instead the students with the wrong instructions ended up in something like the image “C”, which is a most unnatural way to be.
The image I showed is something like image “D”, which again is unnatural, and a result of misinterpretation of the classics and an unsuitable use of geometry.
Image “B” is not something often talked about of using in Taijiquan, because it is too obvious to be incorrect.
Thank you again for your pinctures, they are very useful for us to understand the role of the spine in Taijiquan.
XJ
Actually I wanted to reply on this first but the system have a habit of cutting me off once I finished writing. Here you again relates science proper aligment to taichi structure. Science is good to know but no need to know as far as martial art is concern for me. Anyway to each his own. Someone commented and I agreed that IMA masters are not scienctist and scienctist even thought they know how it is done, cannot do it physically, and are not martial artist. My way of learning is empirical and via intuition and then try to connect it to theories.
When masters tell their students to ''straighten their spine'' they mean just that. '' let the tailbone be centrally correct'' is not entirely right because the tailbone is always centred. Their instruction could be one must be body, mind, spirit must be centred. As for tuck chin and suspend head, they are the same only some students cannot fathom how to use a string. And yes, it should be done with undue effort.
We are only talking and discussing one part of the equation here. For higher level fajin, more movements have to be incorporated and most can be found in the classics but need to put together as one.
Cheers,
UniTaichi