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not the only technique used in Tai Chi combat though it is used quite often when there is no
intent to cause harm or serious injury.
For opponents that require more serious discouragement the advanced level skills come in very
handy. These skills all stem from the sensitivity and control of centre to efficiently defeat the
opponent. There are several type of advanced skills employed. All of which can only be properly
learnt directly from a competant teacher.
One of the most esoteric of these skills, which should not actually be considered esoteric since it
is simply the attacking of the body's vital points is accupoint striking or 'Dian Xue'. Accupoint
striking involves striking or grasping accupoints to cause injury, incapacitation or death. Unlike
external accupoint striking, the opponent's own momentum and body mass is utilised to
contribute to the power of the strike with minimum exertion from the exponent.
Bone Locking is also found in external martial arts. The idea is to restrain the opponent with
joint locks. In Yang Tai Chi Bone Locking the opponent's body mass and momentum are the
major motive forces, once so restrained, the opponent can be dealt with in an appropriate
manner.
Bone Hitting is a quite different, this involves actually breaking of the bones. No matter how soft
and supple a person is, the bones will always be hard and substantial. Bone Hitting utilises
knowledge of the range of motion of the joints, the connection between the different bones in the
body to break them and so incapacitate the opponent. Once again the opponent's mass and
momentum are used to get them into the appropriate position where this skill can then be
applied.
Sinew Splitting is akin to causing sprains and muscle tears deliberately. The mass and and
momentum of the opponent again being the main motive forces. The musculature is specifically
targeted and a good knowledge of the musculature, origins and insertions of muscles and tendons
is necessary to apply this skill effectively.
Blocking and controlling blood flow pressure points can cause incapacitation by causing the
opponent to faint or loose the use of one of his limbs due to inadequate blood flow. This is
different from accupoint striking. Here the junctures of major and important blood vessels are
targeted. As in typical fashion, the opponent's own mass and momentum are the primary motive
forces causing him to be his own undoing.
Psychological attacks are also an advanced skills, playing on the emotions and psyche of the
opponent. Both Yang Pan Hou and Yang Shao Hou were recorded to have changes in facial
expression and emotion when doing the form as well as shouting and roaring at the appropriate
moments. These serve to cause fear, shock and indecision in the opponent.
The Yang Shao Hou Small Frame Today
Unfortunately, because Yang Shao Hou only taught this form to a handful of disciples. There are
very few people who know this form and practice it. Like Yang Tai Chi Long Boxing, this form
was an advanced form taught only after the large form was learnt. And due to the rapid spreading
of the art, only the closed door disciples and early students got to learn these advanced forms.
This was due primarily to the lack of time on the part of the Yang masters since their travelling
tours only permitted them a short time in each city.
This form represents a facet of Yang Tai Chi Chuan that few know about and realise exists.
Though the Yang Shao Hou Small Frame is done differently from the large frame, its principles
and theories remain the same. It is a clear representation of Yang Tai Chi Chuan at its finest: a
deadly combat art and a wonderful health art. Providing long life by both preserving it in combat
and building up fitness and efficiency of the body.
Taijiquan Training Speed
While the main method of practicing Taijiquan has always been the slow method. And this,
despite all variants, remains the basic method of training which is indispensible for forming a
firm foundation for the art. There is, however, evidence that indicates that Taijiquan was
practiced at other speeds as well.
Some Records Of Other Speeds Of Taijiquan
From early writings of those who recorded the art of Taijiquan we have some descriptions of
how these sets were done. We begin with Gu Liu Xin, a noted Taijiquan historian who was
responsible for organising the publication of much of the published material on the different
styles of the art during the 1960s. He writes in his introduction to the book 'Yang Shi Taijiquan'
(Yang Style Taijiquan) by Fu Zhong Wen in 1963 and also in Yang Zhen Duo's English book the
following about how Yang Shao Hou, Yang Cheng Fu's older brother, practiced his form:
"His taijiquan 'frame' style was originally similar to his brother's, but later it gradually
changed to the style of high 'frame' with lively footwork and well-knit small movements,
alternating quick with slow actions. He was swift and powerful in delivering his blows
and, with eyes blazing like torches, a grim smile on his face and roaring and howling as
he darted back and forth, he was held in awe by others" (Gu Liu Xin, his introduction to
'Yang Style Taijiquan' by Yang Zhen Duo, 1988, page 7)
Fu Zhong Wen later wrote in his last book that Yang Shao Hou's
"movements swift, boxing frame sunk". (Fu Zhong Wen, 'Yang Shi Taijiquan Jiao Fa
Lian Fa, 1989, page 5)
Years earlier, Chen Yen Ling, who wrote what is still considered a standard text for Taijiquan,
had this to write about Yang Shao Hou's form:
"Boxing set small and strong. Movements fast and sunk." (Chen Yen Ling, Taijiquan
Diao Jian Kan San Shou He Pian, 1943, page 6)
In a later chapter, he writes the following about the small frame of Yang Taijiquan as transmitted
by Yang Shao Hou:
"The small frame strives for each posture to be compact. Movements agile and swift.
This was transmitted by Yang Shao Hou." (Chen Yen Ling, Taijiquan Dao Jian Kan San
Shou He Pian, 1943, page 24)
In his last chapter, this if found in one of his 23 fundamentally important points concerning the
practice of the form in Taijiquan:
"neither fast nor slow" (Chen Yen Ling, Taijiquan Dao Jian Kan San Shou He Pian, page
295)
Tung Ying Jieh noted 3 ways of practicing the form in the Yang family:
"Seeing Mr. Feng Hou's son Chao Ling's boxing. He was personally trained by Mr Yang
Ban Hou. His compact frame. Practiced neither fast nor slow. Mr Cheng Fu his is great [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]