On the "Relaxation" of Tai Chi

When people discuss the principles of Tai Chi Chuan, they often emphasize the word "looseness". This is because the most prominent feature of Tai Chi Chuan collisions is the pursuit of looseness and softness, seeking hardness within softness, and the combination of hardness and softness. (Another paper discusses the law of "hardness and tightness as well as looseness and softness" in Tai Chi.) Without achieving "looseness", there would be no softness, and without looseness and softness, it cannot be called Tai Chi. That's why "relaxation" is so important. Only by achieving "relaxation" can the mind be calm, the qi naturally sink, and the spirit be lifted. During the practice of the boxing form with relaxation and stillness, one can silently recognize which parts are loose and which are tight, thereby allowing the blood and qi to flow smoothly throughout the body, using qi to move the body and reach the four extremities both externally and internally, playing a role in harmonizing Yin and Yang, strengthening the body and nourishing life. In terms of height, when the arm comes into contact with the opponent, the four major joints must be "relaxed" Listen to where the other party's strength lies? By simultaneously observing the changes in the other person's body shape with both eyes, one can understand and know the opponent, seize the opportunity and gain the momentum. Only in this way can one transform softness into strength and, through continuous practice and growth of one's skills, withstand the opponent's force and achieve the effects of transformation, guidance, palm movement and release. Since "looseness" is of vital importance, some Tai Chi instructors emphasize from the very beginning that beginners should achieve looseness and require them to be extremely relaxed and soft. This is something worth considering. Because "relaxation" is ultimately the inherent requirement of Tai Chi. For beginners, it is acceptable to let them know the importance of relaxation and initially come into contact with some basic principles about it. However, it is unrealistic to expect them to achieve relaxation right from the start. To achieve "relaxation", a basic condition must be met, that is, it must be based on the correct and proficient use of the boxing form. A beginner must first master the boxing form well, grasp the essentials, achieve basic accuracy in the form and practice proficiently. Only then can they talk about seeking true relaxation and softness. So, what is the "relaxation" in Tai Chi? How can one achieve relaxation? The so-called "relaxation" in terms of appearance means that on the basis of mastering the boxing posture, the entire body movement should be adjusted properly. The head should be lifted with a relaxed mind, the chest should be loose, and the back should be slightly tight. The head, body and feet, that is, the three major joints, should be in perfect coordination. The eyes should be looked straight ahead, and internal vision (not affected by external objects) refers to the unity of the heart and mind, the unity of tendons and bones, and the unity of qi and strength, that is, the internal three harmonies. The shoulders should be relaxed and natural, and the elbows should be lowered to allow the internal energy to pass through all the joints of the body, reaching the arms, legs, palms and fingers, and toes, that is, the slight joints. The waist should be upright, and the two thighs should be slightly lifted forward, reaching the point of "touching the crotch", the hips should be lowered and the knees slightly loose, so that the body can form an elastic moving entity. Enable the blood, qi and energy to flow smoothly throughout the body through the correct form and keep circulating in a repetitive cycle. "Relaxation" does not mean slackness. Loosening means that under the premise of having a correct shape, the tendons and meridians are fully unblocked, allowing the blood and qi, as well as the force, to flow through each section without any obstruction and without interruption. In the Taoist concept of "Two Paths and Nine Returns", "loss" means that the movement is not in place, the physical form cannot support it, not even a piece of tofu can be left, and thus the meridians and force cannot be connected, resulting in the obstruction of blood, qi and force everywhere. "Relaxation" requires internal qi to flow through it. From the end of the upper posture to the beginning of the lower posture, there must be internal qi running through and connecting it, that is, as the saying goes, "When the posture is broken, the intention is not broken; when the lotus root is broken, the threads are connected." Otherwise, "loss of posture" will occur. How can there be any talk of practicing the inner strength of Tai Chi? Looseness and tightness are also closely related. Some people, when they talk about "looseness", always emphasize "looseness" and do not seek tightness. This is one-sided. Only having "looseness" without "tightness" goes against the principle of the combination of hardness and softness as expounded in the theory of boxing. Just as the patriarch Zheng Wuqing pointed out, those who practice Tai Chi take the path of Yin softness in this way, which leads to the adverse consequences of damaging their health and shortening their lifespan. In fact, looseness and tightness are a pair of contradictions. The relationship between them is one of unity in opposites, and they complement each other. During the practice of boxing, the body is relaxed and supple, but the internal energy is vigorous and cannot be relaxed. Furthermore, the complete set of boxing consists of dozens of postures, each of which has its own variations of looseness and tightness, emptiness and fullness, softness and hardness. "Looseness" refers to emptiness and softness, while "tightness" refers to firmness and hardness. Every posture and every movement has its own variations of looseness and tightness, emptiness and fullness, hardness and softness. In the operation of the entire set of boxing, it is necessary to make each posture follow the route of arc-shaped movement, circular rotation and rolling to achieve the effect of alternating tension and looseness, changing positions of emptiness and fullness, and integrating hardness and softness. For instance, in Zhao Bao Tai Chi, the "Great Pair of Vajra" has four different changes of hardness and softness in one form: 掤, rolling, squeezing, and pressing. Moreover, each movement of 掤, stroking, squeezing and pressing can be either gentle or firm, varying according to the enemy's approach. In the case of 掤, it can be loose or tight, it can dissolve or strike. When relaxation reaches its limit and the posture is established, it can no longer be relaxed. At this point, once the muscles and bones are united and the spirit and energy are in place, the positions of tension and looseness will alternate, and the positions of emptiness and fullness, softness and hardness will transform into each other. According to the theory of boxing, to achieve "seemingly loose but not truly loose", only by maintaining a proper balance of tension and looseness can the effect of combining hardness and softness be achieved. Therefore, knowing only about looseness but not tightness goes against the principles of Tai Chi. It should also be pointed out that the pursuit of looseness is a continuous deepening process, just as seeking lightness within lightness and looseness within looseness. Looseness has different levels. That is to say, as the saying goes, "Every layer of effort is a layer of truth." The relaxation that beginners require can only be achieved by constantly correcting the posture of the boxing form, emphasizing looseness and heaviness, and gradually eliminating some stiffness and impact. As one's skills become more proficient, the requirement for relaxation will shift from the local to the overall, and from the relaxation of the form to the relaxation within. The higher the degree of looseness, the deeper your skills will be. Conversely, the deeper your skills are, the higher the quality requirements for looseness will be. There is no end to martial arts, and people have their limits. If we can reach the limits of our bodies, it is already no easy feat. Therefore, the demand for relaxation also has no end. The above is my humble experience of learning Tai Chi from Mr. Liu Rui, a master of Wudang Zhao Bao Tai Chi, for sixteen years. If there are any inappropriate parts, please point them out, Mr. Fang Hao.