Promoting Chinese traditional martial culture since 2004
BRIEF NOTE ON THE
TAIJIQUAN
Tjq is, above all, a traditional martial art that bases its training philosophy on a very special understanding of the energetic actions of the individual, both in their body movement and in the subtle movement of the energies that compose it.
The idea of energy to which we refer must be studied within the understanding that the individual, in essence, does not cease to be, like other elements of nature, a compendium of energies that interact to form matter. This idea, so cutting-edge in its concepts, was understood millennia ago by the thinkers of Chinese civilization. They perceived the flow of nature and the integrity existing between all the elements that came together in it. The human being, as an indissoluble element of this general action, also forms part in his individuality of the whole of existence. The energy that allows us to be alive is not different from the one that moves the planets or the one that feeds the sun that illuminates us.
Studying the movement of that energy in our body, the relationship between what happens to us, internally and externally, generated the development of disciplines as important as acupuncture. This system analyzed the movement of these energies and how, in their course through our material body, they followed paths to feed or balance the different organs that give us life. These communication pathways were called meridians and the points on that path where that energy became more intense were called acupuncture points. Through the action on them by means of very fine needles, they were able to act on the free flow or stagnation of our subtle energies, the latter, the unequivocal cause of all kinds of diseases, they called this energy Qi.
At the beginning of the section we mention that the Tjq is a martial art. Indeed, it is a system with highly evolved techniques designed as a method of self-defense, but there is much more.
In general, there is a very stereotyped idea of what a martial art is. To understand Tjq we have to get rid of these fixed stereotypes. The superiority of Tjq as a martial art over other systems lies in the minimal use of one's own energy to undo the intention or offensive action of a virtual attacker.
It is precisely in the work to develop the sensitivity that allows us to use the energy of our opponent where most of the positive elements attributed to art reside.
We have to learn to understand how we move, where our balance is, and how we use our physical and subtle energy. The union of these elements will allow us to be an anchor element in which the energies of the opposite can be diverted or absorbed.
That our balance and our way of moving is such an important element within the art, teaches us that Tjq requires a highly evolved body awareness that can be achieved through training.
SOME ITEMS INTERESTING
We can make Tjq a form of moving meditation, a form of gymnastics, a form of self-defense, a way of getting healthy and strengthening our bones, a way of improving our breathing or our motor skills; we can make Tjq the philosophy of balance that guides our lives. For this we only have to take the first step and, although sometimes we go slowly and others faster, we must try not to stop walking.
The therapeutic virtues attributed to the practice of TJQ correctly carried out for long periods of time are not free. In China, a large part of the population performs their daily practices and achieve optimal health maintenance in a low-impact exercise accessible to people of any age or physical condition.
The study of Tjq must be approached with great patience towards ourselves. In its development we will find our own blocks, physical and mental. The tenacity in practice, the perseverance and the interest that we put into it will determine, to a large degree, our possibilities of evolving within the art.
That is why we have to approach the study from the foundations to progress as long as they are solid enough.
The practice of Tjq consists of maintaining a search for our center and our physical, mental and emotional balance, through the mobilization and balance of our gross and subtle energies.