Classical Fighting Arts magazine: taiji wrestle

My wife and I wrote a piece on the wrestling aspects of taijiquan which appears in the current issue (issue no. 36) of Classical Fighting Arts magazine. That piece opens with a quote from Tim Cartmell and Liz and I would like to thank Mr. Cartmell for allowing us to quote him.

The article discusses the standup grappling aspects of the 13 Postures of Yang style taiji. It also briefly discusses the origin of taiji (which was developed by a retired soldier) and its use as a combat art (as opposed to using it to commune with the Dao or as a form of low impact aerobics).

As a somewhat tall guy, I really like taiji wrestling because of the frequent use of head snap downs and ankle/knee picks---it is perfect for taller folks---just kidding, taiji is good for everyone.

Take care,
Brian

I like taijiquan, but I personally don't think the 'stand up grappling' compares too favorably to wrestling wrestling.

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Wolfgang says:

I could think of a million better things to do in Japan for a month besides jumping off of picnic tables. - x893

“	Originally Posted By: Unkotare I like taijiquan, but I personally don't think the 'stand up grappling' compares too favorably to wrestling wrestling.	”

I would agree, but from my days doing Yang, there were some nice Grappling applications to the system with some nice Take Downs as well.

Any way we could get a transcript of the article posted on the website?

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that would be nice

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The magazine just came out and since he pays me...I don't think its right for me to post the whole article when that issue is still on the stands. The short version is:
Yang style taiji is mostly about stand up grappling
Yang style taiji can be used within months (if you are being correctly trained--just like any other martial activity--boxing, wrestling, judo, kendo)
Yang style taji uses 13 main directions of force and contains (in my view) many of the stock grappling things like head snap downs, single legs and most of the standard tieups; over/unders, double unders, overs, wrist grabs
Yang style "push hands" is kind of half assed pummeling. It is "half assed" not by design but by the way most of the modern taiji nitwits do it. I happened by the Taipie park today at lunch and saw the mid-day push hands folks and my single thought was; this is really ****ing pathetic.

But---taiji still rocks, its just the idiots doing it that suck.

take care,
Brian the MMA Taiji Student

The article sounds good. I don't have that much experience in Tai Chi and didn't know it had that much grappling to it, especially ankle pick and knee grabs. Sounds interesting since I have a wrestling background (as well as a CMA background). I'm going to go get this issue tonight. Thanks for posting about it.

Would you be able to post it a few months down the road? Once everyone who is going to buy the article has done so? It sounds like a really interesting article!

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I must not fear.Fear is the mind-killer.Fear is the little death that brings total obliteration.I will face my fear.I will permit it to pass over me & through me.& when it has gone I will turn to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.Only I will remain.F.Herbert

Yeah, I think we can do that. Sounds reasonable.
take care,
Brian

as a tall man who has a little tai chi under his belt and is getting his butt whooped in wrestling on a fairly regular basis...I need a copy of this magazine right away. Also, was this article all your own thoughts and ideas or did you use any outside references? Just curious, tai chi application can be kinda hard to find.

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1. Research your own experience
2. Absorb what is useful
3. Reject what is useless
4. Add what is essentially your own

If you are getting your butt whupped in wrestling you need to work on your wrestling

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Wolfgang says:

I could think of a million better things to do in Japan for a month besides jumping off of picnic tables. - x893

touche....

however, as I've started to cross train martial arts, I've noticed that the techniques you spend hours mastering in one art can usually be adapted to suit another. I've noticed this more so in the tai-chi to jujuitsu transition. Currently I use a lot of tai chi concepts in my ground fighting (relaxing, sinking, rooting that sort of thing), but not so much actual moves. It looks like Brian's article addresses this.

so the intermatron says I can get this magazine at Barnes and Nobles. Got to check this out after work tomorrow.

__________________
1. Research your own experience
2. Absorb what is useful
3. Reject what is useless
4. Add what is essentially your own

“	Originally Posted By: brianlkennedy Yang style "push hands" is kind of half assed pummeling. It is "half assed" not by design but by the way most of the modern taiji nitwits do it. I happened by the Taipie park today at lunch and saw the mid-day push hands folks and my single thought was; this is really ****ing pathetic. But---taiji still rocks, its just the idiots doing it that suck. take care, Brian the MMA Taiji Student	”

There is a lot going on in push hands. It's not half-assed pummeling, not in the least. To be fair to Brian, I once told him that back when I didn't know what I was talking about. So I understand why he thinks that. I did at one time too.

And there are standup grappling moves in taiji, that is true. They do need to be brought out and trained in order to be used.

But Yang style taiji isn't just wrestling. Again, there's much more than that going on in the form and other practices. In bringing out the combat applications, we shouldn't be in such a rush to throw out other perhaps more important things that the taiji can teach us.

“	Originally Posted By: Formosa Neijia There is a lot going on in push hands. It's not half-assed pummeling, not in the least. To be fair to Brian, I once told him that back when I didn't know what I was talking about. So I understand why he thinks that. I did at one time too. .	”

Just thinking, several of our push hands instructors have said that really skilled push hands maches by two evenly matched opponents will be some of the most boring matches to watch to the average person.

__________________
I must not fear.Fear is the mind-killer.Fear is the little death that brings total obliteration.I will face my fear.I will permit it to pass over me & through me.& when it has gone I will turn to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.Only I will remain.F.Herbert

I think it depends a great deal on the push hands. A lot of push hands would be lucky to qualify as half-assed pummeling. Push hands done well is fantastic training but it's all too easy to do very badly instead.

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