Episode 48 - Bridging the Gap

Occupying the Centre (Part VII)

This is the famous Chapel bridge at Luzern, Switzerland.

A bridge is a structure that allows things to cross from one side to the other.

In order to control an opponent and to take over his centre in close quarter combat, a connection between the two bodies has to be established.

One of the advanced techniques in the Taiji martial art system is the setting up of a "bridge" between oneself and the opponent through body contact. Once a connection is made, the opponent loses his centre. The two bodies merge as one and the centre of the opponent dissolves. He who maintains the centre takes charge of the next step.

Another alternative is to hang oneself on the opponent and use the opponent's centre as the centre of the merged bodies. Whilst the centre appears to be staying outside of one's "own body", the connection enables extension of control from one's body to the opponent's body. Can you remember the dragonfly that stayed on the top of a flower bud (in Part I)? The centre of the flower bud is also the centre of the dragonfly.

One follow up question:

After a connection has been made, what is the "thing" that crosses the "bridge"?

He who has completed the training in "Standing" should know the answer.


(Links to Part I, Part II , Part III , Part IV , Part V and Part VI)