Martial Tai Chi™

De-mystifying the Mysterious

"Why do I need to be relaxed?"

by Julie Hinder

This article was inspired by yet another person stating that they viewed health and relaxation as necessary pre-conditions to the development of t'ai chi fighting ability. I feel that comments like this seem to imply that we would prefer our students to be tense and unhealthy. Obviously this isn't the case, it's just that we will never see health improvement and relaxation as goals in themselves, rather that their acquisition will greatly improve our and our students' fighting skills.

I would argue that being as fit and strong as you can be, whilst remaining as calm and responsive as possible are states that most martial arts strive for. If you come with these abilities, the development of your fighting skills may be easier; but often it is only the actual fighting experience itself that builds these qualities. You need to develop these attributes in a way that is relevant to your martial practice. There is very little point in being calm and serene whilst doing your form practice, if you completely go to pieces as soon as someone throws a punch at you.

It goes without saying that practising martial arts correctly will make you fitter, stronger and healthier, but why do I need to be relaxed as a martial artist?

1. So I don't panic and get frightened, upset or angry.
2. So I can be sunk and rooted to make strikes and throws count (be heavy and powerful.)
3. So I can't be toppled over like a wooden skittle.
4. So I can think and respond decisively and quickly.
5. So I don't hurt myself when I'm thrown.
6. So I can feel then react and adapt appropriately.
7. So I can strike and move quickly (a tense muscle is a slow muscle.)
8. So I am less likely to forget everything I've been taught when under pressure.

Relaxation is a means to the end of martial efficacy rather than being an end in itself. Relaxation is not a pre-requisite for being able to fight, it just comes with time, practice and experience and optimises your fighting ability.

And remember, relaxation is not the same as being as limp and soft as tofu. Practitioners of the original Chen style Taijiquan often recognise (along with most martial artists) that fighters will go on refining their fighting abilities as they progress, following a path from almost pure Yang (hard, fast and strong) to a 50 / 50 balance of Yang and Yin (adaptable, responsive and relaxed.) A sentiment sometimes expressed by George Xu is that 'stick Taiji' is better than 'tofu Taiji' because at least you can fight with a stick.