The Martial Spirit — Taiji Applied Force Classification

太极 tài jí Applied Force Classification

The difference between a bruteforce strength and a Taiji coordinate strength is in the method of 运气 (yùn qì, channeling of energy). Instead of merely undisciplined use of bruteforce, the muscles are coordinated to work in tandem with the enablement of channeling resources to the physiological components for efficient metabolism. Therein, efficient 气 (qì) becomes 劲力 (jìn lì) expressed as a form of 力气 (lì qì) management.

The different applications can be classified as the follow applied forces:

1.掤 (péng) is a force application to ward off. It is applied in an upward direction such as when our opponent thrusts forward and diagonally upward and we respond by tracing the direction of his attack, and using our hands in a smooth and circular movement to divert it even further upward and forward, causing him to lose his balance. Akin pressing a ball into the water, and the force requites a rebound. This appears in the 1st part of Grasp Peacock’s in Tail. It is primary force application energy. Péng has an expanding, opening quality, likened to filling a balloon, or how wood or ball remains its buoyancy when pressed into the water. The force is used to create a buffer zone for force control.

Instead of exercising raw physical strength, Péng blends and engages a connection from the ground to the force vector that is applied to our body, namely a strike from the opponent. One of the aims is to polarize and uproot the opponent. It requires coordinated movement to net catch or receive and collect the applied force, defusing before returning the strike retaliation. Péng is to be in every movement of taiji in superposition with other force applications.

Further notes: Péng conducts defense and/or attack (mostly concurrently — 连消带打, lián xiāo dài dǎ (simultaneous attack defusion with countering retaliation)) with upward circular force ~ 45* when retaliating attack is ~ 315* (forward and diagonally upward).

Péng can be used as an intercepting force moving the attack to the sideways (void), away from opponent. The greater the force of his attack, the greater the resulting loss of balance of the opponent.