Taichi Punch vs Wing Chun Punch
(Continued from the last post Qi — Wing Chun vs Taichi.)
1) https://youtu.be/uPL75JIrg-s
(@ 1:40; Taichi’s twisting, bursting/blasting; directly relates to inhaling/exhaling)
2) https://youtu.be/EIA8MQjGRZ8
(@ 1:30; Wing Chun’s solid penetrating; relatively unrelated to breathing)
3) https://youtu.be/qOrZwBEEAU4
(@ all; Siu Nim Tau performed in Qi state)
In the last post, I compared the different methods of power generation between the Chu-style Wing Chun and the Chen-style (in Mandarin or Chan-style in Cantonese) Taichi to illustrate the different roles of Qi in these two contexts. It is better to visualise such differences than just said. Here are three footages that are intended to serve this purpose.
The first one shows Taichi forms performed by Grandmaster Chen Xiao-wang, one of the four top heads (coined as the Four Buddha’s Warrior) in the Chen-style. At timestamp 1:40 and onwards, you can see how Dan Tien works to deliver bursts and blasts through twisting, which is commonly known as Silk Reeling Power in Taichi.
You can also see how breathing is closely related to power generation: exhaling at the instance of a burst or a blast; inhaling immediately after such an instance, making ready for the next burst or blast. This is due to, as explained in my last post, the fact that Taichi’s power generation is still basically a muscularly-mastered operation.
The second one shows penetrating punching by Sifu (Grandmaster Chu Shong Tin). At timestamp 1:30 and onwards you can see how the Wing Chun punch differs vastly from the Taichi’s. Before timestamp 1:30 there are explanations on the property of penetrating.
Nevertheless, Sifu didn’t exhibit “much Qi” in the demonstrations in the second footage. As far as I can recall, there were just rare, if not none, occasions that Sifu demonstrated punching with Qi when teaching us. I think the reason being that there is no need to do so since the skeletally-directed punching movements are already adequate for showing the penetrating power. Thus most often Sifu just did it “casually” — that’s enough for guiding us.
That’s why the third footage, in which Sifu performed Siu Nim Tau in the highly “filled-up” (Qi) state, apparently for the purpose of inspiring the audience of that seminar. You can glimpse the Qi-driven power in all the movements, particularly those strikes.
I’ll leave it to your imagination on a Wing Chun Qi-filled penetrating punch by combining your sensations of the last two footages in your mind!
