How do you folks define it? How do you folks view it in terms of your tai chi? I’ve heard so many different definitions and usages. Some say they don’t use any muscular tension at all. Some say they use it only when they need it. Some say it restricts chi. etc. etc.
Here’s a great article written by my teacher that addresses this question quite nicely I believe…
Part 1.
Relaxation and Tension in Tai Chi Chuan
by Vincent Chu
There are many people today who practice tai chi chuan. There are,
however, very few people capable of applying tai chi chuan for self-
defense. Actually, many of those who practice tai chi chuan do so
solely as a health-maintenance exercise; very few practice it as a
martial art. The fact is it is easier to practice tai chi chuan as a
health-maintenance exercise than as a martial art. To practice it as a
martial art, one must have a correct understanding of what tai chi
chuan is. “Understanding” refers to comprehending the concepts and
principles involved in tai chi chuan practices. It is not solely the
understanding and remembering of individual physical
movements. “Comprehending” refers to utilizing the concepts and
principles in practice, not simply in theory. This is not sufficient to
tai chi chuan or any physical activity. Therefore, learning from a
knowledgeable instructor, one with a correct understanding of the
concepts and principles, is the vital key to one’s success. Otherwise,
the study of tai chi chuan as a martial art is but a waste of time,
energy, and money.
“Tension” is a taboo word for many tai chi chuan practitioners, due to
its association with stiffness when the body is in motion—and motion is
the soul of martial arts. Therefore, people often use alternative
words like “square and round,” “expansion and contraction,” “expansive
and compact” to describe the various conditions of tension and
relaxation in tai chi chuan solo-form practice. Starting with the
first lessons, some teachers tell their students to point their elbows
downward and drop their shoulders, emphasizing repeatedly that all
movements should be done in a relaxed and slow manner, without any
tension. A closer examination, however, of yin/yang theory, which has
greatly influenced tai chi chuan practices, reveals that yin without
yang or yang without yin cannot survive. The best situation is when
yin and yang mutually interact with one another at all times.
Therefore, the emphasis solely on relaxation and softness in tai chi
chuan without any tension, is insufficient and misleading. Why do some
instructors do that? After all, the great master of tai chi chuan,
Yang Cheng Fu, said in his book and in his teaching that one should
first try for an expansive posture and later seek a compact posture.
When one practices with an expansive posture, the body is relaxed and
it is easy for the chi to circulate. When one practices with a compact
posture, one is alert and ready to strike.
What is relaxation and what is tension? They are present in all
physical activity as well as in tai chi chuan. If one understands
their role in tai chi chuan and properly manages them, all tai chi
chuan activity will be performed in an excellent manner. When one is
relaxing, the muscles are in a state of extension, which is good for
chi circulation make it easy for the body to be in motion. When one
has tension, the muscles are in state of contraction, which is not good
for chi circulation and can make it more difficult for the body to be
in motion, depending on the condition of the tension. Another reason
for the practitioner to be relaxed during tai chi chuan practice is to
have the muscle groups work better together to produce integrated
power. In general, when the body is relaxed, the weight sink downward;
the upper body becomes lighter than the lower body; and the whole body
becomes better coordinated and balanced. When there is tension, the
muscles are in a state of excitation; it is difficult for downward
sinking to occur or for better coordination and balance. People have
often said that the essence of martial arts lies in the motion of movement;
postures are but the shell. When the body is relaxed, the body is able to move.
Relaxation and tension support each other. This situation is
equivalent to that of a coin having two sides. For greater relaxation,
one needs more tension, and for greater tension, one needs more
relaxation. We can say that relaxation serves to open the meridians for
greater chi circulation, and tension closes them or squeezes them to
deliver power. In order for the body’s organs to function better
physiologically, chi circulation must first function better in carrying
nutrients throughout the body. What is the proper definition of
relaxation? In 1992 one of my tai chi chuan teachers, Ip Tai Tak, who
was a disciple of Yeung Sau Chung, the oldest son of Yang Cheng Fu,
told me that yoga practitioners have a good physical understanding
concerning relaxation. Yoga practitioners, he said, understand that
relaxation involves re-applying tension to other parts of the body.
After tension is re-applied, the body becomes properly aligned: there
will be tension where it supposed to be and relaxation where it is
supposed to be. To a martial-arts practitioner, however, this is not
sufficient. In addition to re-applying tension to different parts of
the body, one should also have enough power to support the body’s
structure as well as to tap into, easily, additional power if needed.
Otherwise, how can one survive the physical pounding involved in
martial-arts?
In general, I think one’s understanding of the definition of relaxation
in tai chi chuan practices will change progressively according to one’s
practical experience. At the beginning, one defines it in terms of
one’s lack of bodily coordination. The more the practitioner is not
able to apply power, the more stiff the body will become. One will
come to understand relaxation as the ability to perform any physical
activity with ease. The second definition is based on the activity of
easily and slowly stretching the arms and legs and having all the
joints loosely connected together. One at this point understands
relaxation as an absence of power. The third definition is connected
to nimbleness and flexibility. One understands relaxation as
softness. The more relaxed the body, the greater the circulation of
chi, and the faster the hands and body are able to move. The body’s
weight will sink downward; there will be better balance and
coordination. This situation results from the improvement and
enhancement of the ligaments, muscles, and bones. When one makes a
small rotation of the waist, it will produce a lot of power in the
hands, from either a centrifugal or centripetal force. The strike will
be truly powerful. Thus one can see that in order to have more power in
the hands and feet, the proper thing for a practitioner to do is not
perform more exercises for the hands and feet, but rather exercise the
whole body in order to strengthen it and to increase blood and chi
circulation; one should also loosen the waist. Today, when people talk
about his or her bodily skill, they are referring to the skill
resulting from changes within the body—which happen because of changed
additional chi inside the body. Unfortunately, there are many people
who highly train the four limbs for localized power and forgot the most
important part: the waist, which produces integrated power.
Part II.
In any martial-arts strikes, technique, power, and speed are very
important elements. Without speed, one will be easily defeated by the
opponent. Without power, even profound techniques are useless.
Without technique, one does not know what to do with power. All
Chinese martial-art systems involve students in power training as their
core training, and tai chi chuan is no exception to this rule. It
involves students in the solo-drill exercise of the tai chi chuan form
to familiarize them with tai chi chaun’s profound techniques and
power. It is through this solo-drill training that the student comes
to understand each movement’s applications and variations as well as
power delivery (fa jing). We all know that good fa jing technique
involves extreme quickness and tightening all the body’s muscles to
squeeze the power outward. Immediately before the muscles are tightly
contracted, the body is fully alert and energized, due to chi
circulation. This state of alertness and being energized is another
characteristic of relaxation in the martial-arts. To have greater chi
circulation, one has to have relaxation. To have fa jing, one has to
have tension.
From the last paragraph, one can infer that tension is the key for
having fa jing. Two steps are involved. When the body is relaxed, it
is better for power reaching the four limbs. When the power reaches
the four limbs, it is the end of relaxation’s function. We often hear
people criticize tension for causing muscle stiffness and for stiffness
inhibiting mobility. What is tension and what is stiffness? When the
body’s muscles are contracted for a long period, this is called
stiffness; this is not a good condition. When the body’s muscles are
contracted for only for a moment, this is called tightening; this is
good tension. One can see that it is not that all tension is bad and
one should always avoid it. In order to produce integrated power
correctly, the whole body must get involved, not only the four limbs
but all the muscles and joints as well. This condition of tightening
is called open inside and closed outside. This is equivalent to
someone squeezing a tube of toothpaste. In order to increase the
pressure inside and have the chi circulates quickly, one has to
contract tightly all the muscles. What is the relationship between chi
and power (jing)? We often read and hear that where the intent (i) is,
the chi is. Where the chi is, the power is. It is also said that chi
is associated with movement, and power is associated with delivery.
Therefore, tension in martial arts has three characteristics. It is
spiritually explosive; it causes the chi to flow rapidly; and,
externally, it can contract very tightly.
In May 2005, I was invited by the Xian Yongning Tai Chi Chuan
Association to attend its 20th anniversary and the 2005 Wah Ah Cup Yang
Style Tai Chi Chuan Invitational Tournament and The Renowned Yang Style
Tai Chi Chuan Masters Conference in Xian, China. It was founded by
Grandmaster Zhou Bing (1906-1999).
Zhou was the elder brother of the wife of Fu Zhong Wen. I participated
in some sessions of the Renowned Masters’ Conference and heard many tai
chi chuan masters from China speak, but what interested me the most was
when I heard the speech of a 81-year-old practitioner, Professor Fang
Ning. Professor Fang was a student of Cui Yi Shi, who was a senior
student of Yang Cheng Fu in Beijing. Professor Fang talked about what
he considers tai chi chuan skill as a martial art. He said that a tai
chi chuan practitioner without fa jing skill has not entered the door
of tai chi chuan training. He continued to say that if one can execute
only hui jing (yielding), it is not enough. He further said that
throughout history, all famous tai chi chuan practitioners possessed
the skills of both hui jing and fa jing. When one has fa jing skill,
one has the skill of understanding jing. It is a standardized tai chi
chuan martial-arts skill as mentioned in the “Tai Chi Chuan Classics.”
In order to increase the intensity of fa jing in a martial-arts strike,
one has to have more tension. This is equivalent, in making dynamite,
to creating more powerful dynamite by rolling it tighter. Relaxation
is one of the techniques used for attaining tension. Therefore, in
order to produce more power, one has to practice regularly and rehearse
the mechanism of contracting the body’s muscles very tightly and then
becoming very relaxed, in order to achieve better coordination, to
improve the quality of muscles and the central nervous system, and to
do less harm to the body. How to get these muscles to work together?
The best method is for body to begin with slow and relaxed movements.
After one understands the role of relaxation and tension in tai chi
chuan, one’s tai chi chuan training must be composed of these two
aspects in order to be considered complete. To practice the relaxation
aspect of tai chi chuan, one should begin to exercise the waist, the
command center of all physical activity. The “Tai Chi Chuan Classics”
indirectly points out its significence by saying to suspend the head
from above and sink the chi down to the dantien. To suspend the head
from above means to supply the energy to lift the head upward. It is
not a physical action but an application of intent. All the body parts
are properly aligned in a natural way. In order to execute correctly
the principle of suspending the head from above, I often tell my
students to have their eyes looking straight forward. When one has
this eyes-looking-forward posture, the upper body will be properly
aligned. The throat is hidden; the chest is in a natural posture; the
back is properly set; the buttocks are tucked under; the chi sinks down
to the dantien; the feet are rooted; and the kneecaps are aligned with
the big toes. Now, as one can see, when the body assumes this posture,
it is relaxed and comfortable. In this case, relaxation is the final
product of hard work and practice. It is not a natural state—as many
people assume, not understanding correctly. To practice the tension
aspect of tai chi chuan is not to ask the practitioner to perform the
solo form with stiffness but with temporary tightness: this is simply a
continuation of relaxation but with more physical involvement,
accomplished by turning and twisting the body and limbs. This practice
is also known as changing the tendons and ligaments—a necessary
training step in all Chinese martial arts.
When one is practicing tai chi chuan as a complete system, the practice
should be composed of both relaxation and tension aspects; then it is a
martial art as well as a health-maintenance exercise. However, if one
solely emphasizes the relaxation aspect of the tai chi chuan training
without any tension aspect, this kind of tai chi chuan cannot be
applied for martial-arts usage. It is but a health exercise and
Professor Fang said that it should be called tai chi calisthenics, not
tai chi chuan. An imitation cannot be compared to the real thing.
Authentic tai chi chuan practice must emphasize tension as well as
relaxation in training.
View on body
Torque , Thrust and compression with springyness in tendons. It is the stored sprung energy that is probably a better description than tension, or squeezed compression is another possible use of words.
Certainly not meant to raise any objection to the authors words, who is far more qualified than I, just a different interpretation on use of words
It’s like swimming, need to use strength but not in a tension way.
True Soft Power
I am totally against tension. I am also totally against yielding.
The problem is, people asscociate relaxation with yielding. But true relaxation is non-yielding.
When one relaxes “Sung” properly, the power comes out. That’s when one can relax WITHOUT yielding. The more relaxed you are, the more the power comes out. This is the true Fajing, the true Yin and Yang operation. It operates according to the law that extreme yin will naturally turn into true yang; but if one tries to attain the Yang deliberately the Yang will not be pure.
If one relaxes then tenses up to fajing, one is actually decreasing the power of the fajing as the tension (and the impure yang) interferes with the true power coming out. This relax and then tense up thing is not true Yin and Yang. It shows a lack of understanding on Yin/Yang and internal dynamics.
Very hard to explain by words. But if you cross hands with someone who can do this properly you will understand.
Cheers,
John
Would a swimmer in the ocean feel the water get hard or tense as a person falling into the same ocean from a great height might feel it is, from the impact?
Stepping in a puddle of water and falling into the ocean from a great height, whats different does the water change state in either instance. By change state I mean become more dense or harder.
(To have fa jing, one has to have tension.)
why would one have to become tense to issue? A phrase often referred to as an explanation for this idea used by some to support this. (The needle in cotton or iron bar wrapped in cotton)
to me it refers to mind and body.
empty and full, look at the ocean see the waves. Crests and toughs, there and not there at the same time. Think of the ocean of mind and body interacting
(A closer examination, however, of yin/yang theory, which has
greatly influenced tai chi chuan practices, reveals that yin without
yang or yang without yin cannot survive.)
assuming that it is referring to a change in state of the body, I use this as intent YI (mind) (yin) and the body (yang) in so doing it refers to changes of intent. First in mind means that this intent leads the body. By being relaxed we connect to the earth, suspending the head allows one to use the body to generate a wave. Any tension in the body weather from tight joints or tense muscle blocks this process.
Greetings..
A common mistake is to limit the body’s dynamic characteristics to muscle powered movements.. there are far better mechanisms within the body.. i have posted quite a bit about the connective tissue system and its use of “Tensegrity” relative to movement and power.. either check out those posts or google the two concepts..
The hip/Kua region is ccrucial in linking the upper and lower parts of the body, the more tension present in this region the less unified we become.. this is one of the greatest hurdles to overcome, and one of the crucial keys to realizing the depth of Taiji.. unification of the upper and lower body is achieved by relaxing the Kua and permiting the smooth flow of energy through it..
The ancients lacked the science we have today, they used cryptic and secretive descriptions to explain what they discovered through trial and error.. and, it seems they figured out how to activate the connective tissue system (CTS), and build on the principle of tensegrity.. to the degree our muscles are conflicting with each other to produce contrived “power”, they dampen the vibrational tensegrity that activates the connective tissue system.. when relaxed but substantial, the muscles add supporting substance to the natural power of the CTS..
But, do the research.. the reward is a link to the legends of Taiji..
Be well…
thanks
YY,
Thanks for taking the time to post that article, it was quite informative.
It seems that there are contrasting views. Mind if I try to sum them up?
The article states that tension is necessary, and underlies power.
Imperial and many many others state that tension holds back true power and advocates complete relaxation.
Then there is the discussion of how twists create tension or stored energy that is issued upon release.
And finally, the use of the waist to create torque, that seems to me to be describing a whipping type power.
Have I missed something? These are all different views. I think we can all agree that sustained tension reduces mobility and sensitivity. Those that advocate tension argue that it is momentary tension on the point of impact, and the tension is not to be misplaced in areas such as the waist which needs to be relaxed to create torque.
So those that are against tension, can you describe how you hit? Is there no tension on the point of impact? Is it akin to whipping? The target must feel an impact, how is that accomplished without a resistant force?
Oh, and Taichibob, are you distinguishing between tension created by muscle and tension created by tendons? Is this tensigrity akin to the coiled spring ideas? Is there no tension in your concept?
You’re welcome gabe.
Greetings..
Hi Gabe: LOL, of course there is tension, no tension and we fall down.. it is the efficient management of it that is the issue..
Aside from that, i am referring to another system unique to, but integrated with the neuro-muscular system.. the Connective Tissue System (CTS) and its use of the principle of Tensegrity.. the best results when googled come from the phrase, “connective tissue tensegrity”.. the tensegrity of an activated connective tissue system is identical to the concept of “Peng”.. but, it’s so much more.. rather than repeat myself from previous posts, google the phrase or look up my previous (recent) posts.. The CTS has properties that can explain much of the legends of Taiji, and.. “Tensegrity” was developed by Buckminster Fuller, resulting in the Geodesic Dome principle.. CTS communicates throughout every cell and organ in the body at about 20 times the speed of the nervous system.. it does this through vibrational frequencies, hence.. the more muscular tension the more dampened effect on the CTS vibrations of communication..
It is like how a tent constructed with flexible poles distributes pressure throughout the structure yet maintains its structural integrity… but, so much more..
Be well…
TCB,
I’ll look into your concepts.
Maybe I can focus this question about tension a bit more. How does it relate to actual hitting? Not at all? How is the “impact” created without tension?
g
Greetings..
Tensegrity expressed through the Connective Tissue System (CTS), is incredibly powerful, IF you can balance the appropriate muscular support.. In a previous example, i used the analogy of knocking over a glass or a vase, etc.. sometimes, we instantly, without conscious thought, move at blinding speed, incredible accuracy, and intercept the potential mistake before it manifests.. or, we recognize the problem the mind looks for potential solutions and we either freeze or blunder.. in the first possibility, the blinding speed and accuracy is a result of our “natural” abilities expressed through the CTS.. in the second, the brain/mind starts sending panic signals through the neuro-muscular system which fires-up in a chaos of responses that are 20 times slower than the CTS..
The power comes from the unified body connection, in typical punching we have orchestrated a set of muscle memory skills.. where we expect groupings of muscles to respond in conflicting contractions to express a power developed through contrived postures intended to maximize muscular strength.. but, the same tension and contraction constricts and pressures the CTS, like putting a pillow on guitar strings.. it inhibits the CTS from doing its job effectively.. Muscles contract and relax, the CTS contracts, expands and relaxes.. The muscles are dependent on interconnected systems to work in a very coordinated manner to produce a result.. the CTS IS a single system that exists at every level of the body from cells to organs to muscles and bones, it acts as a single unified unit (if we let it).. The CTS is our very natural way to do things, like reaching for a glass in the cupboard.. we don’t take special postures, or scream, or duplicate parts of a form.. we just do it.. like driving.. Our bodies already know the most efficient and powerful way to do things.. our training should help us apply this inherent “knowing” to our chosen Art, not change it.. WCC Chen says that a punch is most powerful when we “Give” it to someone, like offering them coffee or tea.. (he offered me “tea” and nearly broke my shoulder)..
The power is expressed through the entire body such that it feels like you have fallen and the planet just hit you, rather than you hitting the planet..
The muscles add support to the Tensegrity of the CTS, it’s a fine balance.. but, when you find the balance the movement is effortless and the result is remarkable.. yes, there is tension, but.. it is minimal.. it is maximum power with minimum effort..
Be well..
TCB
Cool post. I know you mentioned the CTS responds around 20 times faster than the NMS have you come across anything in your research that says this response time in CTS can be improved? The tai chi legends must have improved it to get the results they have written about in times past.
The word “Tensegrity” is the combination of the terms “tension” and “integrity” which indicates a balanced state (“integrity” under “tension”) and is commonly described as the balance between the two complimentary (as defined by Fuller) forces of Push and Pull. This definition is merely a modern complication of a very simple and ancient concept known as Yin-Yang!
Fuller and Snelson did not invent, discover or devise any new concept or principle here. They merely over complicated and restated in new terms well known “ancient” principles.
Fuller asserts that integrity (a balanced condition) results from the cooperation between the complimentary forces of “Push” and “Pull”! Big deal!! Any student of Tao knows that!!!
Yin and Yang, Push and Pull are not just complimentary principles or forces, they are ALSO opposites. They are complimentary when they are utilized to create an harmonious condition, a “state of integrity”, or what we used to call a “BALANCED” state/condition.
This balanced state is dependent upon OPPOSITE forces of EQUAL intensity to negate any one force’s dominance. If one force is out of proportion to the other we lose integrity; we lose balance!
Balance/integrity occurs as a consequence of the rhythmic oscillation between two complimentary, yet opposing, forces. I have described this in the past through the examples of standing on one foot and riding a bicycle. With either one balance is maintained by a subtle movement from side to side. Balance is not a still point of non-movement, but a balanced alternation (oscillation) between two opposing forces. The COMPLIMENTARY forces are balanced because they are “EQUALLY” OPPOSING! They ARE opposing. If they weren’t opposing there would be NO balance! These forces are only complimentary when they are in balance. When one force holds dominance within any specific condition there is NO complimentary (balanced) condition taking place! As I have stated on previous threads, without a periodic imbalance, change (growth) would not and could not occur!
The principle of tensegrity is clearly demonstrated in the figure of Yin-Yang by the indication of a rhythmic cycling of the principles where each in turn finds itself in an alternating condition of dominance and submissiveness. If the forces of Yin and Yang did not alternate in a rhythmic and balanced process, balance would not be possible.
Life is a flowing, dynamic process of these alternating principles. One may call it tensegrity if they choose and pretend that Fuller and Snelson identified some surprisingly new principle, but they did not!
The reason I mention this is because it seems to me that simple principles discussed in a complex manner does not assist one in obtaining a clear understanding of the principles. Simple is simple for a reason. Once again, as I have mentioned on a previous thread, calling a “Library” a “Learning Resource Center”, does not change the fact it is still a library! Why change the terminology? What is the purpose when “Library” is just as functional and everyone already knows the term and its meaning? There is no reason to complicate the basic principles illustrated by Yin-Yang on a discussion of Tai Chi by introducing terms that are unfamiliar and un-necessary.
On the question of tension:
Tension is a condition of mind that is expressed in and by the body. When we have learned to release the tension in our mind our body will respond accordingly. Tai Chi may be a useful expedient to aid one in learning to release their physical tension, however the area of activity is the mind. The body cannot relax if the mind is tense.
Movement, whether self defense oriented, walking, running, or reaching for a cup is a learned process. The more one internalizes a specific movement the more relaxed they become when performing that movement. Over time the body will learn to respond naturally without any wasted effort/tension. Time and practice are the keys.
When we were children we learned to walk and to feed ourselves. These activities took effort and concentration to learn, and a lot of spilling food and falling down. Effort and concentration occur as a consequence of “trying” to learn a new skill. With much practice we no longer “try”; we perform actions spontaneously. This spontaneous action is unsurprising to us when we are putting a spoon or fork in our mouths and yet never hit our teeth or spear our tongues, but we think it is something mysterious when we observe a master perform a more complicated appearing action with ease. The process of performing the two actions, feeding and Tai Chi application with spontaneous ease occurs through the same means, time and practice. There is nothing mysterious about it!
When performing an action in a masterful way the tension used by the muscular system is just enough to get the action done, no more and no less. This balance between tension and relaxation may be indicated, pointed too, by an instructor, but it must be felt internally by the student for themselves. This will only occur with, YOU GUESSED IT, time and practice!
How do the many responses reconsile with this above?
Balance to me implies full relaxation and full tension at the appropriate times- push and pull when needed. How is that not true yin and yang? And the article mentions that tension is necessary for fajing and true power while not negating the importance of relaxation.
I don’t know, is this a question of semantics? Tension does not equate to me as sustained tightness. Nor does it relate only to muscular tightness. And it certainly doesn’t imply using just one body part, like the bicep, to throw a punch.
Again, let me further ask, what is going on at the moment of impact? (Yes, I understand the full relaxation necessary prior to impact, along with the proper whole body mechanics)
Thanks for the responses so far.
g
Nice. Simply put.
Scott Brown, I concur whole heartily. Excellent post! 
cjurakpt
Thanks for the post it was a good read
To me these two statements say it all:
Greetings..
Hi Scott: LOL.. It seems even your explanation of “simplicity” gets a little complex.. Certainly, I agree that “Tensegrity” is similar to Yin/Yang principles.. but, that is not the intended reference.. We are exploring the principle of Tensegrity as applied to the Connective Tissue System (CTS).. where there are more issues than the “simplicity” of Yin/Yang.. although, most principles are reducible to Yin/Yang, occasionally the reduction loses the intended communication.. Your references are suited to the interplay of the neuro-muscular system, but lacks appropriate application in the CTS environment’s more interactive involvement in motion, support, and further links to vibrational inter-connectivity..
Fuller and Snelson did not invent or discover the principles of Tensegrity, they simply congealed the concepts into an Architectural icon, the Geodesic Dome.. Now, surely, you can find fault and reference with the minutia of “who, what, where, when, and how".. but, as you point out, the intended reference is to relate to principles of Taiji.. not as an exercise in precision semantics.. While your admonishment to practice” is valid, I think we are trying illustrate that there are options not widely used that could enhance that practice.. why, insist on holding to a fixed description? The more perspectives we can examine, the more likely we are to improve our own.
Now, regarding the “library” analogy.. it may be that our culture has grown tired of the reference to libraries, the youth may see it as only a place for finding reading material.. and, as you say, change is born of conflict.. so, conflicting the label of “library” with “learning resource center” may change the perspective toward a more favorable outlook of “libraries”…
Tensegrity, as a principle, incorporates more than just Yin/Yang.. it explains the dynamics of pressure when applied to the system.. while the simple push-pull principle is integral to Tensegrity, the more dynamic explanations and analogies inherent to the Tensegrity of the CTS is a set of concepts not often practiced or even understood.. The CTS as an integrated system including muscular support (which fills-in behind the more rapid CTS) is much more closely analogous to the legends of Taiji than the neuro-muscular system alone.. it is an oversimplification to suggest that the legendary prowess of Taiji is the result of acquired skills related solely to the neuro-muscular system.. there are many practitioners with many years of faithful practice that miss the mark miserably.. there is something else at play, a mystery that is just becoming apparent to the dedicated seeker.. The mystery is no secret, it’s the “forest we can’t see for the trees” or the “ghost in the machine”.. and, it is through the generosity of present day Masters, students of anatomy and physiology, and physicists that we are able to see the mechanics of what was thought to be the great mystery..
Of all people, Scott, i was sure you would do the research on this issue.. i think, if you do you will find that the promise of Taiji is much more of a reality than can be attained through the usual processes.. our horizons can be greatly expanded with so minimal an effort as to be shocked when we realize it.. Personally, my Taiji has so greatly improved, and the proof of it in the exchange of energies is so undeniable as to render me certain beyond any reasonable doubt of the validity of this experience.. I am not here to convert anyone to my perspectives, only to share, with delighted exhuberance, these amazing observations.. and, as always, i invite your insightful commentary.. however much i favor my perspectives, i am also open to better or more insightful evidence..
Be well..