Enclosed is a tape of a demonstration in Athens, Greece. Notice the blending, sensititivity and striking from the entirety of the body. This all comes from the push hands. People today question compliance. This usually happens when you have been teaching a student for a long period of time. The test is when you can apply the technique on individuals that you have met for the first time. As such, an adept will take control immediately to counter the fact that the "new" opponent will not be in compliance.

Tai Chi for self defence: www.youtube.com/watch

Sincerely, Joseph T. Oliva Arriola
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Joseph T. Oliva
offline Joseph T. Oliva
SF Bay Area
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  • Kenn
    Kenn
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    Re: Tai Chi Chuan is Self Defense

    Wed, June 25, 2008 - 4:45 AM
    I think I've been spoiled by watching Master Ting's Push Hands. (Sorry - he's not on you tube) The fellow in this video uses some Tai Chi, but also a lot of sheer physical force. Tai Chi uses internal force which is much more subtle and yet equally - or even more - effective in self defense.

    namaste,

    Kenn Day
    www.shamanstouch.com
    shamanstouch.blogspot.com/
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    • Justin
      Justin
      offline 28

      Re: Tai Chi Chuan is Self Defense

      Wed, June 25, 2008 - 2:49 PM
      Clearly this demonstration goes against the Tai Chi prniciple of using 1 ounce to move 1000 pounds.

      As the poster mentioned above, there is much force used in this video.

      Also, there is much chin na shown here which is an art independent of Tai Chi.
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      • Jason
        Jason
        offline 21

        Re: Tai Chi Chuan is Self Defense

        Thu, June 26, 2008 - 2:01 AM
        What do you mean independent of Tai Chi? Chin na can be done without Tai Chi but Tai Chi without chin na is not a complete art as it was meant to be. Chin na skill has existed long before it was compiled into a complete art in the 17th century and yes Tai Chi and it's ancestor styles (and virtually all Chinese martial arts) have always had Chin na applications.
        In my opinion the classics are not to be taken literally, they imply a principal. If you notice the master still is only using a small amount of the force his body can wield in order to entirely control the opponent. I have seen this teacher before on Youtube and though he is far from the most impressive I have seen , his skills are none the less applicable to real combat which is more than I can say for most of the people who separate chin na or accu-point striking (Dim Mak) from Tai Chi. Push hands alone will not win combat with a skilled opponent (though it will help greatly) you must still have a way of ending the conflict decisively especially against multiple opponents.

        Just my opinion.
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