Master Liu rui"s article on pushing hands

太极推手是圆的较量而非力的抗衡 刘瑞/文[原创]


太极推手是圆的较量而非力的抗衡　: 兼论对现行太极推手竞赛规则的看法


太极拳其理精深，其技独到。行拳过程中，松柔和缓，轻灵自然，搏击实战时以静制动，以逸待劳，并有舒筋活络，强身健体之功效。而性别不分男女，年龄不分老幼，体质不分强弱皆可练习，尤其适宜于年老体弱者。因此，五六十年代国家就开始推广"简化太极拳"。七十年代末，随着我国体育事业的蓬勃发展，太极拳作为一种民族文化得到重视和发展。随着改革开放，太极拳又作为中华民族的传统文化和古老文明而被世界各国人民逐渐认识而接受，堪称中华武术园地中一枝盛开不衰的奇葩。


太极推手是太极拳所特有的竞技运动，它吸取了我国古老武术中的实战经验，使太极拳的套路动作和体用有机结合，在完全不用护具的情况下，使用拳架中采、拿、掷打、摔跌等方法进行的对抗性竞赛活动，通过推手实践，可以更深刻、更实际的体会太极拳的内劲，亦可使周身触觉，反应等得到训练，也是太极拳用于散手技击的过度阶段和方法。


太极拳流派不一，推手实践操作中，讲究、说法各执一是，竞赛中实难作出完全统一而又详细共同认可的推手规则。可是，太极拳的宗旨都是沾连粘随，不丢不顶，且捧捋挤按采捩肘靠八大方法相同，这就给不同派别的太极之间进行推手竞寒制订可以共同遵守的竞技法则提供了可能的条件。为了统一和发展，为了民族和后人，处于承前启后地位的我们这些太极拳的爱好者，应该团结一致，畅述己见，消除流派门户之见，共同付出辛勤的劳动，在较短的时间，制定出一个有较高水平，安全稳妥又符合太极拳的理，并切实可行的推手竞赛规则和方案。　　


在为使中国武术冲出亚洲走向世界、成为奥运竞技项目的思想指导下，有关部门从八十年代初就对太极推手的比赛内容、方法、规则制定进行了探讨和试验，但时至今日仍众说纷纭莫衷一是，其中原委非只言片语可以道明。笔者本着体育事业是全民族的事业这一信条，且做为一名太极拳的爱好者、习练者能无动地衷吗？本人才疏学浅，孤陋寡闻，在这里不惴冒昧，谈一点自己的粗浅之见，可以起到抛砖引玉的作用罢了。

现行太极推手竞赛规则在实践中显露出的弊端有四：　　


一、违背太极推手沾连粘随不丢不顶的基本原则，崇尚力的抗衡。按现行太极推手竞赛规则操作，组织的太极推手形同"相扑"之戏，纯持后天之拙力，一味顶牛。摒弃了沾连站随不丢不顶的基本原则，使太极推手成了变相的拔河、角力拳击式的用蛮力去推拉打击对方，怎么能通过太极推手达到体肤感觉灵敏、变化顺随的"听劲"、"懂劲"进而臻于化发引打"从心所欲"的高级功夫呢？现行太极拳推手规则在客观上肯定了太极推手"丢匾顶抗"四大弊病，如此下去势必将太极推手引入岐途。　　


二、禁用腿和脚，背离了太极拳论，人为的妨害了武术的技击优势。武谚云："手似两扇门，全凭步赢人（腿打人）"、可见腿脚功夫在武功，拳术中的重要性。太极推手禁用腿脚，完全违背了太极拳的理论和实践，昔日人称太极高手杨露蝉为"杨无敌"，如禁止他用腿，只凭"拳"何能无敌！太极拳讲究手上八法劲、身中八法形、腿下八法功。如果少了"腿下八法功"，太极拳如何能在武术中对抗搏击中与其它各拳种功夫进行切磋较技。古之先哲有以常山之蛇喻太极技击之功的说法，攻其首，尾进，攻其尾，首进，攻其中，首尾俱进。人的躯干四肢，手身腿是不可分割的整体，岂能禁用腿脚，作茧自缚。　　



三、不重拳架的训练有害于太极拳本身的普及和发展。太极拳强调"身心合修"，以静制动，以柔克刚，以顺避害，内敛而不外露，习练起来难度颇大，要付出艰辛的劳动，不会一蹴而就，因此有"三年长拳打死人，十年太极不出门"之说。昔日武当赵堡太极鼻祖蒋发先师从学王宗岳老夫子，经心学拳，与老夫子朝夕相处八年之久，始学有所成。我辈人等，受衣食之累，晨昏劳顿，难有闲暇，业余爱好者，抽空习拳，要学有所成需耗费的时日更多。因此，太极推手赛场上，那些初涉太极拳艺，习拳两三个月者，甚致根本不练，不会太极拳架者，根本没有太极拳架的功夫，妄凭一身好气力，没有意识、意念的追求，怎么会把太极拳中的捧捋挤按采捩肘靠；纵横高低进退反侧；缠跪挑撩劈壁挂蹬诸法融会贯通，熟练掌握，灵活运用呢！因此，太极推手应以习练拳架为基础。在熟练掌握拳架的基础上再探讨、研究、切磋太极拳的致用。如这一问题不加以解决，定然会舍本求末。我们举行太极推手的极终目的，是要通过太极推手，显现出太极拳的实战功能，提高兴趣，以促进大家对习练太极拳的积极性和主动性，使太极拳这一优秀拳种得以发扬光大，舍此无它。　　


四、现行规则如不更改会产生错误的导向作用。一个好的、适用的比赛规则不只是在赛场中起到暂时的作用，而对整个运动项目发展，变化的大趋势有着长远的引导作用，如有偏差，则会产生严重的误导作用。在太极推手赛中出现的非内行领导内行、指挥内行、限制内行的现象已不是一个理论问题，而成了一个现实的存在。那些从事此项工作的人不深入实践，不联系群众，凭空想象，闭门造车，在太极推手赛中的误导作用，将直接影响国家对太极拳这一中华文化瑰宝的抢救和挖掘工作。现在是应该以辩证唯物主义的观点衡量自己、深入实际，发动群众，将各个流派的太极拳代表人物聚集起来，群策群力，共同磋商探讨出一套符合太极体用结合的可行的办法来，以彻底改变当前这种大家有意见，自己也不满意的局面。　　


太极推手既不是力的抗衡，又不是后天拙力竞争，那是什么呢？答案只有一个是，圆的较量。　　


拳经有云"察四两拔千斤之句，显非力胜；观耋耄御众之形，快何能为。立如枰准，活似车轮。""一举动，周身俱要轻灵，尤须贯串。气宜鼓荡，神宜内敛。无使有缺陷处，无使有凹凸处。""气若车轮，腰似车轴。""意气须换得灵，乃有圆活之趣，所谓变动虚实也。"就以笔者所习之赵堡和式太极拳来说，一套拳架七十五式，式式都在作圆和弧线运动，当然细微的圆动从外表和直觉来看不那么清楚，这有两种原因，一是习拳者的功夫还未达到按拳式要求而作到各种圆动，二是观拳者的观察分析力未达到看出究竟的境界。如白鹤亮翅、懒插衣、单鞭、云手等式都在作圆弧形的转动和滚动。且这种圆不但是一个平面圆，更可贵的是一个立体圆，或者说是一个三维空间上的圆，这种圆的质量越高才能在推手当中化掉对方之劣质圆和直力、蛮力、拙力、使之沿我之圆的切线方向滑过。我本身圆动时位移小且稳而快，不失重心，而对方在离心力的作用下就站立不稳，难以立足了。这就是四两拔千斤，小力胜大力的前提条件，舍此而谈四两拔千斤，以柔克刚无疑是无桥无船想渡河罢了。


遗憾的是目前太极推手规则上的缺陷使举重摔跌及力大之人占据一时，戴上了太极拳爱好者失去了对太极拳的信心，更多的人出现了对太极拳的歪曲认识。这些还不足以使我们这些太极拳爱好者猛醒吗？　　


一言以蔽之，笔者认为首先太极拳及其推手应确立是圆的较量而非力的抗衡这一主导意识。二则按太极拳本身固有规律办事，八法，腿脚均可使用，除一些易造成严重伤害的部位严禁打击外，可放宽尺度，这样力小者才有可能发挥太极拳长处，显现出太极拳圆动在技击中的独特威力。一言以蔽之，笔者认为首先太极拳及其推手应确立是圆的较量而非力的抗衡这一主导意识。二则按太极拳本身固有规律办事，八法，腿脚均可使用，除一些易造成严重伤害的部位严禁打击外，可放宽尺度，这样力小者才有可能发挥太极拳长处，显现出太极拳圆动在技击中的独特威力。

On Behalf of My master : Master Liu Rui .



TaichiBug

“松” A word so often mentioned,little understood.

“松” "Relaxed" - Much have been discussed but little have been understood. Within "松" itself , there is also "轻" lightness and "柔" softness . These 3 elements goes hand in hand to complete a wholesome presentation of " 松 ".By nature, humans have this learned resistances,tension ,retaliation instinct due to constant struggles with nature , society, or humans themselves. As a result , we tend to resort to using brute strength and reverting back to the form of natural subtle strength is extremely difficult. So what is “松”Why do we pursue it so relentlessly? and Whats the criterion for the state of "松".



"松" or a state of total relaxation is an infinite pursuit for a taijiquan practitioner. Quote from my Grandmaster , Zheng wu qing,""song" is a life long pursuit for a taichi practitioner, to pursue a further “松" within a ”松", a further lightness"轻" within a lightness "轻", it is infinite ".
The state of song is to a point where , not only is there no strength in your muscular groups, there mustn't be any strength in your bones as well. Not even a drop of hardness should be found in your bones or rather skeletal structure . But "松" musn"t be misinterpreted as sluggishness nor lethargy . Such state should be perceived very much like the how the branches of willow trees embracing the wind , zero resistances yet constantly embracing it and not moving ahead.To attain such sensitivity is eaiser said than done . Only through this state of relaxation can a rebouncing force travelling from the ground be transmitted to one"s opponent via the contact point.

Anyone out there have reached such state of " 松" ?


Taichibug .

some random demo of "松"

Some random demo done by the Mr. Sum and Mr. Huang shao hua. "松" or "relaxed" is easier said then done . Enjoy !! Finally i am able to upload videos to my blog .

Zhaobao taijiquan lesson in botanical gardens .

Here are some videos that we have taken on saturday class . still having problems uploading it here . So if u wish to watch u will have to goto:
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Zhao+bao+tajiquan+spore+botanical+gardens+&search_type=

happy viewing .

Liang

Wudang Zhao Bao “He” style “Cheng Structure” Taijiquan

Welcome to this taichi blog . This blog is set up with the intention of gathering taichi practioners of all forms to come together to discuss and authenticate the theories of taichi .We are putting forth ourselves as neutral parties in the process of authentications . All practioners are welcome to join in our outings . All authentications will be documented and presented in this blog for the benefit of the taichi community . Much have been written about the various styles ( 陈 Chen, 杨Yang, 吴 Wu, 武 Wuu, 孙 Sun ). Hence, I shall dive straight into introducing Zhao bao “he” Style taichi. I apologise for my weakness in both language and knowledge of taijiquan, hope u can further contribute in my pursuit of this profound art .

Zhao bao taichi is also been refered to as “Zhao bao 3 in 1 taichi”. So what does “3 in 1” means ? It means the ( form ) , (pushing hands applications) and ( Sparring) are the same . How u practice the form , is how u apply in a combat situation . Therfore , practicing the form is utmost important in polishing one”s skills .

The 8 critical aspects of Zhao bao taichi : Center 中 , Straight 正, Even 平, Round 圆, Light 轻, Sensitive 灵, Soft 柔, Agile活. In actual fact , all these 8 aspects moves in pairs and in level of priority ,center and straight （中正）, even and round （平圆）, light and spontaneity （ 轻灵）, soft and agile（柔活）.

So what is Center and straight （中正）? : This combination ranks top in priority in the hierarchy of the critical aspects . Center refers to guarding one”s center line or to be more exact ,center of gravity . Straight is the basis or foundation for strength. Maintaining a straight diameter within your posture lays the path towards achieving the following critical aspects .

Even and round （平圆）: Evenness refers more towards a distribution of strength or calmness .It is through the 6 co-ordination (shoulders and hips, elbows and knees ,actions and intentions) that its movements through the form will attain a smooth and calm level .Round is not referring to a circle , it is referring to a sphere ( a 3 dimensional circle ). Zhao bao taichi advocates rotational forces.Neutralise and expel with rotational force.

Light and Spontaneity （轻灵）: Light as in not using brute strength. Light as in using just enough strength to lift up your hands and palms. Only through this lightness will sensitivity leads to a quick spontaneous reflex action.

Soft and Agile （柔活）: Softness simply means not tensing up the muscles. This softness coupled with a slow motion through the form, produces a kind of softness that comes with bounce .As such agility can be derived through that.

I look forward to constructive contributions from the taichi community . Thank you for visiting my blog .

Sincerely,
TaichiBug