The theory of circular arc motion trajectory

Wudang martial arts take circular arc movement as the requirement and trajectory of its martial arts movements, which is an expansion and extension of the philosophical thought of the operation law of the "Dao". The Dao is the origin and source of all things. All things come into being from the "Tao". "The Tao gives birth to one; one gives birth to two; three gives birth to three." The more the evolution, development and change of all things in heaven and earth extend, the further they are from the "Tao", and ultimately they still have to return to the "Tao". From the perspectives of "saying Dao", "saying Great", "Saying passing away", "Saying Far", and "Saying returning", it seems that Dao is explaining that the world is a progressive process of evolution. This process indicates that all things in heaven and earth are born from the Dao, but ultimately they still have to return to their starting point - the Dao. That is to say, the operating law of the Tao is a circle. The trajectory formed by the transformation process of being and non-being, Yin and Yang is also a circle. Laozi said, "All things in the world come from being, and being comes from non-being." Moreover, "The way of heaven is to deplete the excess and replenish the deficiency" (Chapter 70 of the Tao Te Ching). Therefore, a circle with and without the transformation of excess and void is formed again. The Taiji diagram is also a circle of the transformation of Yin and Yang. Since the relationship between all things in heaven and earth and the Dao is a circle of mutual transformation, and the movement trajectory of the Dao is also a circle, then moving in a circle along the movement trajectory of the Dao is the best diagram of the "endless vitality and never-ending" of all things. To achieve the effect of health preservation and fitness in Wudang martial arts, it is naturally necessary to choose this optimized mode with vitality. This is precisely the fundamental reason why Wudang boxing attaches great importance to circular movements. Based on the purpose, effect and pursuit of practicing boxing, various styles of Wudang Boxing attach great importance to the models of "circle" and "arc" in the arrangement and combination of movements and the running trajectory. For instance, the Eight-sealed palm adopts the circle as the method, and the running trajectory is a large circle enclosing a small circle, with the small circle being practiced to form a non-circle. Even if there is no circle, it is a circle without a circle on the outside and a circle on the inside - the circle in the mind. Whether it's wading through the mud or swinging the palm to fly; Whether it is lifting the legs, walking, swinging the feet, pressing the steps, or using the mind to train the qi, all cannot do without a circle (or arc), so some people call 八卦掌 the circular linked palm. In the upper chapter of the "Xici" of the "I Ching", it is stated, "The I Ching has the Taiji, which gives rise to the two instruments, the two instruments give rise to the Four images, the four images give rise to the Eight Trigrams, the Eight Trigrams determine good or bad fortune, and good or bad fortune gives rise to great deeds." It also points out, "The meaning of giving rise to life is called the I Ching." That is to say, the Yi is a derivative change from small to large, from simple to complex, and from low-level to high-level. Thus, a process of generation and development is derived: from the low-level embryo to the new life in the shape of a double fish, from the symmetry of Yin and Yang to the deduction of the eight seals. In essence, it is a diagram of the origin of the universe - the Taiji diagram. The creator of Wudang Boxing techniques applied the Taiji diagram to boxing skills, and the Taiji diagram also became the emblem of Tai Chi Chuan. Under the guidance of this emblem model, the movement mode and route of Tai Chi also become curves, arcs and circles. In Xingyi Quan, there is a three-circle mnemonic that goes: "The chest and shoulders should be round and the qi should sink; the back should be round in the shape of a monkey; the tiger's mouth should be round like a triangle; when all three circles come out simultaneously, it is the true form." The three basic postures of Xingyi Quan, namely, a round back, a round chest and a round support at the tiger's mouth, are the standard requirements, which illustrate the importance of roundness. When it comes to the arc-shaped phenomena of "three clasps", "three embraces" and "Three months", the list goes on and on. Tai Chi, Xingyi and Bagua are based on arcs, which are not only manifested in the movement routes and postures of the appearance and form, but also reflected in the characteristics of body movements. It can be said that every rotation centered on the waist is permeated with the movement of circles and arcs. With the changes in movements, various arc movements such as "large arcs enclosing small arcs", "large circles enclosing small circles", or horizontal circles, vertical circles, and figure-eight circles were formed. Some people say that the body techniques of Xingyi, Taiji and Baofeng are all "circles", and there is some truth to this. The various styles of Wudang martial arts all have their force storage and release related to arcs. Taiji is the spiral-drawing force, Xingyi Quan is the twisting and drilling force, and 八卦掌 is the entangling force. These vigorous forces make the power thick and full, meeting the special requirement of softness overcoming hardness. When attacking from a combat perspective, rotating forward makes the force more stable and less likely to be captured by the opponent. In defense, contact resolution, arc-shaped (or circular, circular) force dissolution and traction dissipation are all carried out in the form of circles and arcs. This can increase the force-bearing area, extend the duration of force action, and perfectly elevate to the realm of "moving a thousand pounds with four ounces". In conclusion, Wudang Boxing skills, from punches to weapons, from forms to techniques, are all based on the arc-shaped movement trajectory.