{"id":4875,"date":"2016-08-30T12:26:42","date_gmt":"2016-08-30T16:26:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tambulimedia.com\/?p=4875"},"modified":"2023-07-24T14:57:42","modified_gmt":"2023-07-24T18:57:42","slug":"secrets-taijiquans-power-pivot-part-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tambulimedia.com\/secrets-taijiquans-power-pivot-part-1\/","title":{"rendered":"Secrets of Taijiquan\u2019s Power Pivot: Part 1"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Tyler Rea<\/p>\n

In ancient China, in times long past, there emerged a combat art like no other\u2014a method all-encompassing in its approach to combat, with a prowess and power that drew the dedicated interest of the wealthy, the military, and the politically powerful.<\/span><\/p>\n

That martial art is Taijiquan, \u201cThe Supreme Axis fist\u201d or \u201cThe Supreme Ridgepole fist.\u201d Today, however, the art is more widely known in the west by an incorrect name: Tai chi chuan or \u201cThe Supreme Ultimate fist\u201d or \u201cThe Supreme Energy fist.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

It is in the term Taiji or Supreme Axis that the true prowess and power of this art is grounded. Knowledge of this mechanical detail that solidified the reputations of Taiji masters as the preeminent teachers of bodyguards, private security, and the military.<\/span><\/p>\n

Before we look at The Nine Supreme Pivots, the original mechanical details that unlock martial power, I must first recount an important conversation about Taiji power between a master and student. At the turn of the 19th century, a student of a famous Taiji master asked his teacher, \u201cWhat was the secret of the master\u2019s ability to transmit power instantaneously to an opponent when touched?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Surprised by the directness of the student\u2019s question, the master paused to consider his response. The master then folded the fan he was holding, approached his student and offered him the folded fan, and asked: What is the single most important part of this Fan? I will the answer share with you at the end of this Blog.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Tambuli<\/a><\/p>\n

The Nine Supreme Pivots<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

1st\u00a0Pivot:<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n

Cultivating the first and most important axis of rotation begins by rooting the knee of your lead leg. Keeping the shin bone of the leg completely perpendicular to the ground and unperturbed by force is a must. To do so immediately transfers mechanical rotation force up from the foot to the hips and establishes an axis that rises upward from the hip joint of the lead leg to the lead shoulder.<\/span><\/p>\n

This creates a 1\/3 third ratio of reserve mass that provides back-up stability to augment power when needed.<\/span><\/p>\n

This quote from Grandmaster Cheng Man Ching, from the book\u00a0Wisdom of Taiji Masters<\/em><\/a>, is insightful: \u201cWhen we are fighting or engaging in push hands we must never use all our strength. There must always be strength kept in reserve. When our opponent uses strength, don\u2019t resist. When he stops using strength that is the time for you to uses your, and reverse the situation.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This means that from the vertical demarcation line of the lead leg\u2019s hip to the lead side shoulder you have one third force to the lead bridge arm and two thirds in reserve behind the vertical demarcation line.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Taiji<\/a><\/p>\n

2nd\u00a0Pivot:<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n

The second pivot builds on and extends from the first to manifest at the shoulder. The most important element of this pivot location is that the shoulder must always root downward and avoid rising at all costs. If the shoulder rises power is immediately lost and leaks out backwards from the line of incoming force, which can collapse your structure.<\/span><\/p>\n

3rd\u00a0Pivot:<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n

The Third pivot is the elbow of the lead arm, always sinking and rooted downward. From the tip of your middle finger through the wrist to the elbow, be aware of an axis of rotation through the forearm. During the movements of Shun & Ni, this axis must point from the lead elbow to and anchor in the region of the Dan Tien as much as possible. This unites movements of the arm to the rotational power source of the kwa<\/em> (hips) and stance arch. Shun: the movement of rotating the palm upward with the little finger side of the hand in toward your centerline. Ni: the movement of rotating the palm down or outward with the little finger side of the hand out away from your centerline.<\/span><\/p>\n