How do Tai Chi guys generate the power in their strikes?

[SpeedKills]

So they use both internal and external methods, I think I know them all but I wanna see if I actually do or not.

Can you make a simple list of where the power comes from?

Thanks!

[Archimoto]

I tried several TC classes a few years back and thoroughly enjoyed them. I am not a TC expert by any stretch, not even a novice, but I would recommend trying a few classes if you're that curious.

I never intended to stick with TC, I was simply curious. In my limited time I learned that many of the precepts that apply to other arts apply to TC, some of which - like the meditative arts - are applied to an infinite degree. I still remember my first class completely wore me out (in a good way)

I recall all of the movements and drills requiring a complete and total synchronicity of my entire body, every muscle, every joint, everything. Completely focused on this type of movement my mind was completely enveloped. I can't even imagine the mind-body connection that develops over a lifetime of practicing TC!

[SpeedKills]

I tried several TC classes a few years back and thoroughly enjoyed them. I am not a TC expert by any stretch, not even a novice, but I would recommend trying a few classes if you're that curious.

I never intended to stick with TC, I was simply curious. In my limited time I learned that many of the precepts that apply to other arts apply to TC, some of which - like the meditative arts - are applied to an infinite degree. I still remember my first class completely wore me out (in a good way)

I recall all of the movements and drills requiring a complete and total synchronicity of my entire body, every muscle, every joint, everything. Completely focused on this type of movement my mind was completely enveloped. I can't even imagine the mind-body connection that develops over a lifetime of practicing TC!

Thanks for the answer!

[SpeedKills]

I know alot of people are very guarded about this kind of information, I am not, I will tell everyone in this question after Ive given people a long enough chance to answer, so since the info is gonna be released anyway, you may as well get the ego credit for it.

[DWx]

It's all in the hips

As far as Tai Chi goes I am very much a novice having studied the Yang form for a couple of years 5 or so years ago. However certainly from the training I did, the external power generation was not all that different from what I was used to in Taekwon-Do. In fact we would spend a great deal of time loosening and concentrating on hip motion and moving the whole body as one that it improved my TKD 10-fold. A lot of has to do with balance and finding your centre of gravity alongside totally relaxing and just letting the movement flow without tension.

What always amazed me about Tai Chi was that my teacher, a very small petite lady, was able to move me (5' 10", 200 lbs) with very little effort. I always thought I was able to stand my ground and avoid throws and sweeps in TKD but she was able to move me around the room with ease.

Of course there are subtle differences across the various styles of Tai Chi. Chen style for example has a different feel to it than Yang or

and I think a lot of people, due to the explosive movements, would deem it to be more powerful.

As for internal methods, my understanding is more limited but I think this video is a good explanation:

[sensei8]

It's all in the hips

As far as Tai Chi goes I am very much a novice having studied the Yang form for a couple of years 5 or so years ago. However certainly from the training I did, the external power generation was not all that different from what I was used to in Taekwon-Do. In fact we would spend a great deal of time loosening and concentrating on hip motion and moving the whole body as one that it improved my TKD 10-fold. A lot of has to do with balance and finding your centre of gravity alongside totally relaxing and just letting the movement flow without tension.

What always amazed me about Tai Chi was that my teacher, a very small petite lady, was able to move me (5' 10", 200 lbs) with very little effort. I always thought I was able to stand my ground and avoid throws and sweeps in TKD but she was able to move me around the room with ease.

Of course there are subtle differences across the various styles of Tai Chi. Chen style for example has a different feel to it than Yang or

and I think a lot of people, due to the explosive movements, would deem it to be more powerful.

As for internal methods, my understanding is more limited but I think this video is a good explanation:

Danielle beat me to it...it's all in the hips.

But for the hips to work, all of the body is involved in said technique. For example, if the posture is askew, the hips will suffer, therefore, the power will be arrested....so on and so forth.

Btw, the rest of Danielle's post is quite solid!!

[SpeedKills]

Thanks for the effort guys, but no one has answered it fully/correctly yet, either no one knows, or no one is willing to share.

If you dont know, whats a good way to find without spending 10 years learning Tai Chi because forums are a bit hopeless!?

[sensei8]

Thanks for the effort guys, but no one has answered it fully/correctly yet, either no one knows, or no one is willing to share.

If you dont know, whats a good way to find without spending 10 years learning Tai Chi because forums are a bit hopeless!?

Ouch!!

Possibly this list is what you might be asking for...

Nomenclature of Gyaku Zuki, for example...

Head

Neck

Shoulder

Arm

Elbow

Wrist

Fist

Posture

Back

Hips

Rear end

Legs

Feet

Muscles

Exhale

Floor

[Archimoto]

Thanks for the effort guys, but no one has answered it fully/correctly yet, either no one knows, or no one is willing to share.

If you dont know, whats a good way to find without spending 10 years learning Tai Chi because forums are a bit hopeless!?

But it's in the 10 years of forms where you'll find your answer. I feel like your question may seem specific to you but it's open ended in my opinion. Imagine asking someone to list techniques you need in order to surf a wave, to play improvisational jazz, or to dance ballet? Where does one start, where does one end? The beauty of tai chi is that there may not be a direct answer to your question....

[SpeedKills]

I found out HA!

Its more complex than I expected and even the people that teach it dont really know whats going on sometimes, no wonder no one could tell me.

Thanks for the answers anyway didnt intend to be rude was just frustrated.