Thanks to Sifu Ian we now have a new English translation for Tai chi: Grand Ultimate Newtonian Mechanics. Or Tai Chi Chuan: Grand Ultimate Fist From Newtonian Mechanics.
Sifu Ian - is there also some fascia manipulation going on here? There's a type of pressure that's not too hard but when applied can control and move someone easily?
"They didn't understand Newtonian mechanics, angular momentum, ...and didn't understand the mechanics involved, so they said ' I just use my qi' ". I love your videos, Ian. ^_^ I would maybe just be careful here. Understanding force vectors and such can be a useful concept. I study/teach physics, and I use these concepts also in my training, but it's not everything. People also like to say things like, "qi is 'just' the connection in the connective tissue/fascia" etc. Yes, the concept of fascial stretching and so on is a useful training model/reference point, and a necessary part of training. But the Chinese also knew about 'force vectors, fascia, etc'. If it was "just " that, they would have said so. When people say, ....oh qi is 'just' this, or 'just ' that,.. they just might end up missing some things IMO. Hope to meet you sometime. I'm in New England so not too far I suppose.
Thanks. Your point is a good one. My aim is not to dumb down tai chi theory but to encourage system-two thinking about it. I suppose I meant to say “They just said, ‘I used my qi.’” Qi itself is far from simple, which is why invoking it is so unproductive. It’s like saying “I used energy.” “Qi” has too many meanings to be useful. Energy is not adequately defined, even now. The 18th and 19th century martial artists we revere were typically illiterate, and they used terms that were useful to them but difficult to impossible for us to interpret. We have to find our own words to explain what we are feeling and doing. If we can’t, then we are not really learning. More people can quote Einstein than actually understand General Relativity.
i recall Bruce Lee in the early days. he was built like a lion ready for action. he tried to explain things to a wider audience. but the audience was not yet ready. Structure? Energy? Center Line Uh? what's he talking bout? today it is a different story. i am seeing martial arts undergoing an evolution. much of the so call mystical parts of martial arts are being explained with simple easy to understand ideas. RU-vid and others has spread this new revival of ideas across the world. I hope it takes off and we see everybody take advantage of these new insights. In a world in which there is an element of savagery on the streets, these techniques could save many lives. or am i fooling myself?
