Friday, May 8, 2009
Study Of "Split" in Tai Chi Chuan
Well, it was time for Larry, Moe and Curley to do another video, so here's the latest installment of Drinking Dojo Productions.
This is a rough draft of a study of "Split" in Tai Chi Chuan. I think we'll use this as a prototype for a better scripted video at a future date. There were a lot of techniques to think about, and of course the minute the camera went off I remembered several other prominent techniques such as 'White Crane Spreads Wings" and "High Pat On Horse".
The first technique, Single Whip, is the most recognizable of common Tai Chi Chuan postures. The second technique shown, the forearm smash is out of the 88-movement two-person San Shou fighting form. It is probably the most devestating technique in the Yang style, and is also seen in a version of Irimi-nage in Aikido.
One thing that is very clear is that some versions of "Split" have a strong element of "Peng", or outward expanding energy. Others, like locking the elbow in "Raise Hands" have a strong element of "Ji", or squeeze/press. None-the-less, they are still representitive of "Split" - splitting the opponents energy and body in two different directions.
We'll dust this rough draft off and attempt a tighter and more complete version in the near future...
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8 comments:
Nice.
I second nice. We do a LOT of splitting in Qinna and Mantis.
The arm break we do is done with the Mantis hook pointing towards the floor. So your elbow is pointing up and you still break with the elbow.
The thing about these throws is I think I'm corrupted by the movies or MMA. Heck even most of what we had in TKD was not like these. I'm just surprised and how effective they are. They are also deceptive.
I like it too, good no non-sense stuff. By the way, I wouldn't agree that Raising Hands (ie. Playing the Pipa) is actually Split, but I've had this disagreement with other before. I think Split has the component of outward movement, not inward (ie. towards each other and/or crossing).
In Raising Hands, given the indication of a raised toe, I would either step or stomp on the opponents in-step, or kick them in knee, or scrape their chin, as I appllied the elbow technique!
Jose;
I tend to agree about raise hands. That's why I wrote that it has an element of Ji, press/squeeze.
I also agree with the stomp from the raised foot position, and Tim Cartmell showed us how it can be used as a trip behind opponent's leg during the elbow-lock projection, taking him off his feet.
Raise Hands also works well as a response against a high grab. He grabs your shoulder or throat, you circle down and inward and then high and outward and your arm wraps around his arm. As you come back to the center int he distinctive posture of Palying the Pipa, his elbows are wrapped and you lift him for beneath (and kick his knee/foot away).
Bob:
I still have the apron picture of you!
Jose:
Let me see if I get you right--
Your right arm grabs my left shoulder. I snake my arm from inside, over his arm, or from outside to inside and down, wrapping the arm.
What about the other hand/arm?
Bob:
Ment to put that in the other post.
From outside to inside and down and then up, large circular move (larger than in the form). The other hand "traps" or holds the opponent's arm or reinforces the action of the first arm.
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