Sifu Jim R: Here we are at the "World's best Tai Chi Studio". In light of Newton's 3rd law we know not to use "Ordinary force", aka external, muscle flexed, rigid, etc when we push. Here's refreshed information from Forum 10's discussion on the dan tien's energy/rigidity on not using Ordinary force. Here's how instead to use Fajin in "Peng/Ward off" when the concern is with the arm. Note that Master Hwa’s fist is not clenched, but the red shirt student’s fist is. Master Hwa maintains a small space in fist, like holding a “birds egg”, so now read why this is.
A student, Jim D. writes: I understand the utility of redirecting incoming force, but when blocking, how is it that the arm remains soft and subtle (so that we may listen) and not rigid as in external martial arts?
Master Hwa's response: In Forum 10, I discussed a similar question regarding the Dan Tien: you need to be energized yet not rigid. In short, the rigidity in an external martial art is indiscriminate, with every muscle in the arm stiffened up to the maximum. In tai chi, only the necessary energizing is employed. In addition, your blocking of the opponent's arm should use a force just enough to ward off his arm. If you use too much force, then it's no longer redirect but push back, and you lose the advantage of redirect. Therefore your ward-off move is very fluid and delicate. This redirect can only be achieved when you are not stiff or rigid.
Sifu Jim R: The above picture taken at the "world's best tai chi studio" is the "human version" of Master Hwa's following experiment:
Master Hwa: I have an experiment I want you to try: Try to press the back of your hand against, say, a door frame, just like you are blocking an opponent's incoming arm. Do you find that one side of your forearm muscle is energized while the other side of the arm's muscle is relaxed? Let me know your results.
Jim D. responds: I tried your suggestion to "press the back of your hand against a door frame" several times and had several different experiences. They are as follows:
*A tightening of the outside of my forearm and back arm.
*A tightening of the whole arm to include the forearm and biceps, and back arm.
Resistance from the door jam seemed to force me backward as I pushed forward.
These experiences seemed to be affected by the amount of pressure I applied.
Master Hwa's response: Your experiments showed three different cases, illustrating some very interesting points: 1. This sensation is the expected case. You should be able to block using only the outside muscle of the forearm(extensor) while the inside muscle of the forearm (flexor and palmaris) should be completely relaxed; in other words, you only use the necessary muscle to achieve the task. Your arm is still supple and responsive, and you can make a counter move with the arm very quickly. 2. Here you are tensing or stiffening your entire arm; the muscles in the arm are stiffening indiscriminately. The arm has a wooden feeling and does not respond very quickly. One could achieve this state very easily by clenching the fist. That is why Classical Tai Chi has no clenched fist in its form. 3. Here you are applying a force beyond what your body structure (rooting) could support, just like forward fa jin with the body perpendicular to the ground. When you apply a force there is an equal and opposite reaction force that needs to be absorbed by the ground through the body.
If the ground does not firmly support your body structure compared to your opponent's, your body will move instead of your opponent.
That is why I emphasized in the Overview Video that fa-jin is useful only when you detect an opening in an opponent's movement, such as taking advantage of his body's momentum or deficiency in his rooting and striking without any forewarning. It is not a move with brutal force but with fineness and sensitivity. That is why training a tai chi fighter is much more complicated than training an external martial arts fighter. I believe case 1. is the natural response. Case 2. is a learned habit-a bad habit at that. Nowadays, all TV and movies show martial arts with tight fists and muscles bulging on the entire arm. People get brainwashed thinking this is the norm. This bravado is purely for show. It will be hugely mistaken if one thinks this is the way to fight. Practicing tai chi will refine your natural ability to use only the right amount of force in the movements and not be affected by emotions such as fear and tenseness since the move is instinctive. If you try cases 1 & 2, you can sense how you do differently between these two situations.
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