Tai Chi Fundamentals 1a - Double Heavy & Double Light Movement

An explanation of the issue of avoidance of "double heavy" as mentioned in the Tai Chi / Taiji classics. This covers it for forwards movement.
http://www.martialtaichi.co.uk

Category:

Education

Tags:

• double heavy
• double light
• tai chi
• classics
• kung fu
• gongfu
• wushu
• combat
• fighting
• boxing
• martial
• arts
• science
• strategy
• joanna zorya

[KCMO2NDTWIN]

Very well explained!

[martialtaichi]

Thanks. Some of my detractors don't seem to be aware that there is such a concept.

[martialtaichi]

OK - I've edited together the out-takes and will post it now...

[martialtaichi]

I filmed use of expansion and contraction for this film but edited it out to keep it simple (maybe I'll post). As for your comment - I try to explain in this film that for backhand techniques (such warding off or single whip), the reverse is true. The simple rule is therefore what I call "one circle". If weight shifts left, turn left, if weight shifts right, turn right - whatever the hands are doing. Vertical circle movements and thrusting movements can be powered by turning in either direction.

[ssbreon]

In other words, in the double heavy jab in your first example, I think you are way too overextended since your elbow is past your knee. Instead, there should be an expansion feeling with energy moving backwards as well as forwards so you don't overextend.

So, I'm not agreeing that one should never punch with your same hand with the same leg weighted. Otherwise, we'd have problems explaining postures like Single Whip, Fist Under Elbow, Strike Tiger, and thrusting moves in classical weaponry.

[ssbreon]

I think what you've shown (and very well I might add) is what I call opposite power - connecting the right arm with left leg / left arm with right leg. This works nicely for pushing and pulling movements as you demonstrated.

However, what you might want to explain in another video is the correct the use of symmetric energy (expansive and contract) in Tai Chi where there is a counterbalance.

[martialtaichi]

Well I didn't say Taiji had the monopoly on effective body mechanics either but it does have a specific and consistent stylistic strategy, such as yielding to oncoming force rather than executing hard blocking manoeuvres. People DO block in the name of Taiji, but it isn't really Taiji when they do. I think I'll do a couple more films on fundamentals, but I can't concern myself too much with whether or not the principles are unique to Taiji, because I can't speak with authority for all styles.

[Thunderhouse2]

Well I guess we are in disagreement.

My point was exactly that if you breach these rules it ceases to be an effective movement.

Tai chi does not have the monopoly of effective body mechanics.

When I look at taiji, I see nothing different from a correct Silat , whit crane gung fu, or Shorin Karate.

Granted, the "technical preferences" change, but basically it is the same.

Maybe you should make a video explaining what you think is unique to taiji.

And don't get me wrong, I like your videos.

[martialtaichi]

As I said to Ghostfuture - Taiji movement has specific parameters such as "without bending or leaning", "all movements whether flowing (shun) or counterflowing (ni) are like twisting silk" and "avoiding the sin of double heavy". You can theoretically perform martial movements that breach those rules, but then they cease to be Taiji. Taiji is a specific style - NOT "anything goes".

[martialtaichi]

OK - no it isn't showing a boxer's uppercut and then criticising it - it is showing a very double heavy uppercut - something that purposely epitomises double heaviness. Tai Chi is not designed to only fight other Taiji folk with so I can show any kind of movement. Plenty of Taiji folk with other explanations of double heaviness might well perform such an exaggerated uppercut - just look at the Wu style. The Taiji classics state many rules - it has specific parameters as this film demonstrates.

[Thunderhouse2]

By "cure" you mean "compensate" right?

What is a "tai chi" movement in your book? There is no such thing.

Tai Chi is best viewed as a martial art with "the horns" taken off. What I mean by that is that Tai Chi is a training method to learned all the fundamentals of proper body movement relevant to fighting.

When people look at a bull, they think "damn them horns must hurt".

But they forget that it is the 500 pounds of hamburger that actually does the damage when you get hit.