Episode 170 - Physical Strength - Do we need it in Taiji?

Some taiji practitioners always claim that their art does not require any physical strength and what is most important is "Fajing".

This view probably arises from the belief that pure softness can overcome pure hardness. Taking this view in their heart, the "soft" practitioners focus their training purely on the taijiquan forms and non-contentious pushhand exercises.

This is however not the position taken in the Taiji Classics. "On the Art of Taiji", talks about "Jing" and "Lik". "Jing" - internal force is generated through tendons. "Lik" - physical strength is generated through bones. It does not downgrade physical strength. "Jing" and "Lik" complement each other.

To overcome pure hardness by pure softness requires a good understanding and mastering of the yin yan conversion principle.

The "Softness" approach originates from the Artisticalisation of the Martial Art - the art is practised as soft physical exercise. The stress in the exercise is on the spiritual aspect and the will power. Artisticalisation of the art at its highest level may enable a practitioner to act more "skillfully" than a man with great physical strength. The achiever should have a thorough understanding of the fundamental principles of the art plus the support of training in fighting. However, this is only one of the achievements of the Three Levels. In Martialisation of the art, the "Lik" aspect is stressed. Again, this is another achievements of the Three Levels. Don't forget that we also have the harmonization of the artistic and the martial in another level.

Not knowing the fundamental principles of the art, the beginners (in terms of knowledge - not seniority) focus blindly on pure softness only, believing that such is what taiji is all about, reducing the art to one kind of morning exercises.