A Synopsis on Taijiquan (Part 3 of 3)

By Mak Tinghei 

	One of the famous stance is called [Single-Whip]'.  A whip has three 
functions.  When a whip is swung forward and then suddenly swung 
back, its tip produces a cracking sound.  This strike is deadly.  A whip 
is swung so that it winds around the body and then is pulled to throw the 
body away.  A whip is lay on an object and is swiftly pull back.  The 
friction between the whip and the body tears the surface of the body open. 
  These three functions of the whip must be simulated by the motion of the 
stance, Single Whip, if it is called Single Whip.

	To understand the Hit-the-tiger stance, one need to realize that 
to hit any body part of a tiger, one has to bypass its deadly mouth. This 
is impossible to do.  So, one can only hit the tiger's mouth.  The 
construction of a carnivorous animal skull and jaw, such as a tiger, has a 
unique feature.  On the side of the skull near where the jaw is hinged to 
the skull, there is an arch bone structure called the zygomatic arch. 
Also, near where the jaw is hinged to the skull, the jaw has a protruding 
bone structure, called the coronoid process, such that when the mouth/jaw 
is closed, this protruding structure is between the arch bone and the 
skull.  The function of this feature is to help the tiger's mouth to hold 
on its struggling and heavy prey without the getting its jaw shook lose. 
When the mouth is wide open trying to catch its prey, this protruding bone 
is not between the arch bone and the skull.  So, if at this critical 
moment, the skull and jaw are hit in the opposite direction, the jaw will 
come loose, disabling the ferocious tiger

      	The meaning of the As-If-Sealed'-And-Seemed-Closed' stance is 
fuzzy and does not describe the purpose of stances clearly.  Yet, the 
meaning of a stance with an almost vocally similar names in the Chen style 
called Seal-Six' and Close-Four' is more explicit.  It means protecting 
the six critical acupuncture points and shielding the other four 
acupuncture points.  Movement of these stances should perform 
those functions.  Thus, the names of Sealed-Six and Close-Four instead of 
As-If-Sealed-And- Seemed-Closed should be used.  Other names are easier 
to apprehend.

      	Nowadays, Taijiquan has evolved into routines for competition, 
improving health, stage-shows, and spiritual enhancement.  These various 
branch development have relaxed or change some of the basic requirement 
for Wushu.  Even though they are doing Taijiquan, they are not since 
their performances do not satisfy all the basic requirement and Wushu 
spirit.   Today, Taijiquan is seldom practiced for Wushu purpose. Still, 
one important lesson one can learn in practicing Taijiquan is its method 
of dealing with one's adversaries.  Its stresses not giving up or 
outright confrontation but continuous contact till one can find a winning 
solution.  It emphasizes conservation of one's resources and thought out 
approach to solve problems.  The emphasis on slow and relaxed motion 
during the training helps to smooth out the stresses due to intense mental 
and physical exertion.

About author: 

	[Mak Tinhei] has a Ph. D. In Electronic Engineering from Johns Hopkins 
University in Baltimore, MD.  He is now working in the U.S. Army Research 
Laboratory, MD.  One of the activities he does in his spare time is 
practicing Taijiquan.  Not satisfied with the traditional way of 
explaining and learning Taijiquan, he did his own research on the subject. 

	Using the results of his research, he published a book.  He 
welcomes to discuss Taijiquan with anyone and can be reached on Email 
thmak@yahoo.com.