Issue 78 - Tse Qigong Centre

Self Defence with
Chen Taijiquan
Chen Taijiquan is a very sophisticated self defence system, with many layers of
application, from simple block and punch techniques, through qin na (joint locking) and
other restraining techniques right through to an almost supernatural level, where
attacks are nullified before they can even develop.
Being at the lower end of the spectrum I’m much
more at home with the more basic techniques but
I’ll endeavour in this article to give a hint of the
possibilities available to the serious practitioner. By
all means try these out with a partner but please
remember the point is to improve each other’s timing,
sensitivity and skill, not to impress or score points. The last
thing we should be doing is trying to harm those around us.
I’m sure there’ll be interesting self-defence articles in
future issues. We could discuss techniques just using the
shoulder, one-handed techniques, the use of bags or rucksacks,
techniques for multiple assailants etc. The possibilities are
numerous, and intriguing. So watch this space!
We learn a lot of our techniques through Tui Shou
(Pushing hands). At a high level of skill, Taiji, Wing Chun, White
Fig 1
Basic level: Blocking and Striking
The attacker approaches (Fig 1) and punches mid level with
the right hand. The defender uses “middle position” from the xin jia
long form (note the similarity to the Wing Chun bong sau) to block
(Fig 2). The defender sits back, pulling the assailant’s arm downwards.
The options are then, depending on the severity of the situation, to
slap the face, flick at the eyes or strike the area directly below the
nose (Fig 3).
page 16 Qi Magazine Jan/Feb/Mar 2006
Fig 2
Crane, Bagua, Xing-Yi Quan, Shaolin, Escrima (to mention a
few) practitioners should be able to roll in some way with each
other. Though the principles may be different, the same hand
shapes keep cropping up on both sides. Certainly the Tan Sau,
Lap Sau and Bong Sau shapes seem to occur a lot in both Tui
Shou and Chi Sau pushing hands. I used to spend many an
interesting hour practicing snake hands against some Eagle
Claw guys, trying to avoid my muscles and tendons being
separated from each other. The answer is always to practice
softness and evasion. Though not many martial artists want to
do more than pay lip service to sensitivity I appreciate its
possibilities the more as I get older. It’s natural to want to
prove ourselves when we’re young but you shouldn’t still be
trying to do it when you’re forty. Talk and act like a gentleman,
avoid confrontation whenever possible, that’s high level.
Fig 3