Tai Chi Concepts and Experiments: Hidden Strength, Natural Movement, and Timing

by Robert Chuckrow

Overview

The Tai Chi Concepts and Experiments book clarifies and makes accessible critical aspects of the art that only a small number of high-level practitioners currently understand and manifest.

Numerous step-by-step experiments are provided for readers to experience and perfect these critical tai chi aspects.

Contents include:

• The meaning and importance of releasing tension in movement for stability, health, and spirituality.
• The differences between contractive and expansive strength including a promising mechanism for the nature of expansive strength.
• Numerous experiments for readers to recognize and experience expansive strength and to confirm that they have achieved it.
• Elucidation of famous master’s sayings on mind, strength, and chi.
• Health and martial advantages of expansion over contraction in tai chi.
• Protocols using expansion including those for helping an excess curvature of the upper and lower spine and for relieving plantar fasciitis.
• Quotes from the classics and how they confirm the interpretations of the principles of tai chi.
• How to achieve optimal balance through an understanding of physical, anatomical, physiological, and mental factors.
• A detailed analysis of “rooting and redirecting” including physical and internal aspects.
• Understanding natural movement from physical, philosophical, health, and martial points of view.

This interdisciplinary book utilizes, elementary physics, physiology, anatomy, psychology, and spirituality. It contains detailed analyses and explanations for achieving internal, expansive strength, known as nei jin, and for attaining optimal timing and natural movement.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781594397417
Publisher:	YMAA Publication Center
Publication date:	04/01/2021
Series:	Martial Science
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Robert Chuckrow, Ph.D. (experimental physics NYU) has been practicing tai chi since 1970. He is certified as a master teacher of Kinetic Awareness^® and has authored six books, notably The Tai Chi Book (YMAA, 1998).

Dr. Chuckrow has studied tai chi, chi kung (qigong), and other movement and healing arts under masters such as Cheng Man-ch’ing, William C. C. Chen, Elaine Summers, Alice Holtman, Harvey I. Sober, Kevin Harrington, and Chin Fan-siong.

Robert Chuckrow teaches and resides in Ossington, New York.

Table of Contents

Author's Note xi

Introduction xiii

Chapter 1 "Relax" 1

Cheng Man-ch'ing 1

Yang Cheng-fu 1

The Meaning of Relax 2

Attaining Song 3

The Importance of Releasing Tension in Doing Taiji Movement Stability (Root) 3

Push-Hands 5

A Seeming Contradiction 5

Shedding Some Light on the No-Strength Paradox 6

Chapter 2 Expansive Strength 8

Background 9

The Current View of Muscular Action 9

Differences between Contractive and Expansive Strength 10

Some Experiential Evidence for Expansive Strength (Experiments You Can Do) 11

A Promising Mechanism for Expansive Strength 17

Chapter 3 "Swimming on Land" 19

Professor Cheng's Advice 19

My Initial Skepticism 20

My Eventual Realization 20

The Mental Aspect 22

"Zombie-Style Taiji" 23

Swimming on Land Is Only a Tool for Recognizing Neijin 23

Chapter 4 Elucidation of Famous Masters' Sayings on Mind, CM, and Strength 24

Li, Jin, and Nei Jin 24

QJ, Breath, and Internal and External Strength 25

An Analysis of Cheng Man-ch'ing's Distinction between Two Different Types of Strength 29

An Attempt to Further Elucidate What Professor Cheng Wrote 30

An Analysis of Yang Cheng-fu's Commentary on Strength 31

Breath and the Dan Tian 33

Health Aspects 34

Martial Aspects 34

Mind, Breath, Qi, and Strength 36

Summary 37

Chapter 5 Advantages of Expansion over Contraction in Taiji 38

Briskness of Regulation of Strength Compared for Both Types of Strength 38

Stability 39

Neutralization 40

Alertness 42

Endurance and Health-Benefits 43

Leverage and Fine-Motor Control 43

Developing Bodily Unification 45

Educating Bioelectrical Pathways 46

Deception in Self-Defense 47

Chapter 6 Health Protocols Using Expansion 48

Expansion for Reeducating Upper-Back Alignment 48

Expansion for Reeducating the Lower Back 56

Improving the Cervical Spine Using Slow, Relaxed Movement 60

Expansion for Relieving Plantar Fasciitis 62

Chapter 7 Balance 64

Gravity 64

Leg Strength and Mobility 65

Finding the Centers of the Feet 68

Knee, Ankle, Arch Alignment 70

Center of Mass 72

Balance Experiments 74

Vision 76

Other Factors 78

Chapter 8 An Analysis of "Rooting and Redirecting" 80

Conditions for Optimal Stability 81

Internal Aspects 83

Chapter 9 Natural Movement 85

Understanding Natural Movement 85

Elements of Natural Movement 86

Independence of Movement 86

Reasons for Studying Natural Movement 87

Attaining Natural Movement 90

Tools for Studying Natural Movement 92

Some Basic Physics Concepts 93

Animate and Inanimate Natural Movement 97

Chapter 10 Stepping Like a Cat 109

Taiji Stepping 109

Yin and Yang 110

Weight Transfer 110

Difficulties in Stepping Like a Cat 111

Order of Stepping: Heel First, Toe First, or Whole Foot? 113

Practicing Stepping to the Side Using a Movement from the Taiji Form 115

Stepping Naturally 117

The Swing of the Rear Leg During Stepping Forward 119

The Swing of the Forward Leg During Stepping Forward 120

Stepping at the Right Moment 121

Experiments for Attaining Proper Stepping 121

Swing of the Arms During Walking 124

Chapter 11 Periodic Movement and Its Timing 125

Periodic Motion 125

Periodic Motion Terms 126

Driven Periodic Motion 127

Linear, Driven, Horizontal Periodic Motion ("Withdraw and Push") 129

Analysis of the Motion in "Withdraw and Push" 129

Importance of Timing of "Withdraw and Push" 131

Circular Motion of Right Arm in "Single Whip" 131

Centrifugal Effect 133

Centrifugal Effect with Gravity 133

Conical Pendulum 134

"Swinging"-Turning the Body about a Vertical Axis, Arms Swinging Side to Side 135

Benefits of Swinging 136

Ti Fang 139

Chapter 12 Additional Physical Concepts 141

Constraints 141

Rolling Without Slipping 144

Chapter 13 A Clarification of "Secret" Teachings Revealed by Cheng Man-ch'ing 147

Basic Concepts 148

Neutralizing 149

Attacking 155

Yearning K. Chen's Alternative Way of Deflecting an Attack 156

In Conclusion 158

Chapter 14 Non-Intention, Intention, and "a Hand Is Not a Hand" 159

Non-Intention 159

The Mental Transmission of Intention 160

"A Hand Is Not a Hand" 163

The Transmission of Intention Over a Distance 167

Chapter 15 Maximizing Your Progress in Taiji 169

Studying Taiji 169

Obstacles to Learning Taiji 170

Dealing with Obstacles 172

Dangers of Overusing Images in Movement Arts 175

Validating Your Progress 176

Chapter 16 Perspectives on Taiji 179

Internal Versus External Martial Arts 179

Lifting Versus Lowering 180

Empty/Full, Yin/Yang Paradox 182

Some Variations of the Taiji Symbol 183

Taiji "Weapons" 184

Misinterpretations 186

The Yang Long Form and Professor Cheng's Short Form 189

The Popularization of Taiji 190

Afterword 193

Acknowledgments 194

Appendix 1 Supplement to Chapters 8 and 9 195

Basics of Vector Addition 195

Vectors 195

Appendix 2 Supplement to Chapter 8 200

Analysis of Forces in Rooting 200

Appendix 3 Supplement to Chapter 9 204

Analysis of Swing of Hanging Rods 204

Bibliography 210

Internet References 212

Index 214

About the Author 220

Editorial Reviews

AWARDS

RUNNER UP—2022, Mind Body Spirit, Next Generation Indie Book Awards

WINNER—2021, Sports, Best Books Award

 

"Robert Chuckrow has demonstrated a determination and commitment to understanding the depth of martial arts practice. He establishes a recognition and appreciation for those that have shared knowledge with him, and the willingness to share and contribute his understanding to others. The wisdom of martial arts is sometimes difficult to uncover. Often, it is only appreciated and awakened through overcoming adversity and ‘paying your dues.’ I hope that, as Robert Chuckrow, Ph.D. shares his experience through this book, as well as his teaching, it will inspire current practitioners and future generations, and provide insight to recognize and discern where to find clarity along their path. Robert Chuckrow sets an example of how to grow your personal practice through contributing to the greater martial arts community. I wish you all a wonderful journey while exploring this book and success in your study of martial arts!”

— Grandmaster Sam F.S. Chin, Honorary Professor Emeritus, Founder of Zhong Xin Dao, Gatekeeper of I Liq Chuan, Author of I Liq Chuan – Martial Art of Awareness and I Liq Chuan System Guide and many DVDs

"It’s my great pleasure to recommend his latest book on Tai Chi by my friend and Tai Chi classmate. Dr. Chuckrow is a Tai Chi devotee who keeps on studying and learning. As a Western scientist he delves deeply into the esoteric jargon, principles and teachings of Tai Chi and reinterprets these for Westerners.”

— Lawrence Galante, PhD, author of Tai Chi for the Supreme Ultimate, director of The Center for Holistic Arts NYC, Professor SUNY University, NYC

"Robert Chuckrow offers his enlightening wisdom and educated perspective on the paradoxes of T’ai Chi in his latest work. [This book] resolves so many nagging questions that all beginners have and offers many new tools for instructors to share this venerated art. It’s a must-read work for T’ai Chi practitioners of every level,”

— Gene Ching, 32nd generation disciple of Shaolin Temple, author of Shaolin Trips, publisher of Kung Fu Magazine

"Reading Professor Chuckrow’s book proves that efficient movement is efficient movement, no matter if it’s done in Tai Chi or Kodokan Judo. One comment that Professor Chuckrow made was “…wasteful movement is unnatural.” This, in a nutshell, also describes what we do in judo. Another nugget of practical wisdom is “…moving efficiently, using the smallest possible movements provide and advantage.” One would think that this came out of a judo book. Again, proving that efficient movement is efficient movement, no matter the context. It is a distinct pleasure and an honor to offer my endorsement for Professor Robert Chuckrow’s book."

— Steve Scott, Author of The Judo Advantage, Juji Gatame Encyclopedia, and Sambo Encyclopedia among others

"What a generous gift to share with the world! It breathes a lifetime of passionate dedication and desire to comprehend beyond borders, until the very last page. May many, many people find their way to reading this book, and take these findings in ongoing formation to new, wonderful understandings for next generations.”

— Thomas Körtvélyessy, choreographer, MFA, certified master teacher of Kinetic Awareness®, board of directors Kinetic Awareness® Center, executor Artistic Estate of Elaine Summers

"I was immediately impressed with Robert Chuckrow’s approach to the soft style arts. In the beginning of the book, Dr. Chuckrow’s discussion of expansive strength versus contractive strength was immediately useful to me in my daily practice. Every chapter that followed presented new insights and ideas that I had not considered before, as well as exercises and experiments that helped me experience them directly. A valuable addition to any martial arts library.”

— Joe Varady, author of The Art and Science of Staff Fighting and The Art and Science of Stick Fighting

"Robert Chuckrow is a teacher and a scientist who comprehends and synthesizes what he learns. He then shares it for the benefit of others. He couples his knowledge of physics with his T’ai-Chi skills, and the result enables the reader to understand this art more clearly. People learn T’ai Chi for different reasons, some do T’ai Chi for years without understanding much of what they do, they will miss the wondrous benefits that a deeper study will offer. This book will take you further along this path. “

— Ken Van Sickle, Tai Chi Master in the lineage of Cheng Man-ch'ing, Professor Emeritus (cinematography) N.Y.U. 1980s

From the Publisher

2021-02-27
The mysteries of the Chinese martial art tai chi are illuminated with the help of science in this primer.

Chuckrow—the author of Tai Chi Dynamics (2008), a physicist, and a tai chi instructor—addresses the seemingly contradictory teachings of the masters of this martial art, like the admonition to use “no strength” in practicing it, and interprets them in light of Western physics and biology. His main idea is the concept of “expansive strength,” a kind of “hydraulic pressure” in which “bodily tissues can actively expand under the action of bioelectrical stimulation.” Expansive strength, he contends, is better than ordinary strength through muscle contractions because it doesn’t create metabolic waste products or telegraph one’s intentions to attackers. He goes on to apply more physics—explained in plain English, with the math tucked away in the appendix—to tai chi problems, like the niceties of maintaining one’s balance in a pushing match. (“If an opponent A exerts a force F on me, according to Newton’s third law, I automatically exert the same force F on A in the opposite direction….In order to remain in balance, A must arrange things so that the total frictional force of the floor on his feet exerts a force that is opposite to the force I am exerting on him.”) Much of the intricate book explores tai chi’s preoccupation with an exhaustive, even eye-glazing analysis of rudimentary bodily acts, such as taking a step—“As the knee k starts to arc forward, the lower leg lags behind, swinging backward relative to the upper leg; (b) the knee stops, and the lower leg swings forward past (c) to (d); (d) the lower leg has freely swung forward into a position with the heel just touching the ground”—or sitting down. (“True T’ai-Chi practitioners lower themselves slowly and first contact the chair without any commitment. Then, they mindfully transfer weight until it is safe to commit it fully.”) Physiologists may scratch their heads at Chuckrow’s notion of expansive strength, but otherwise his explications of the fundamental laws of natural motion, complete with diagrams, are written in reasonably clear, if involved, prose. Tai chi students will gain from the author a deep theoretical grounding in the discipline’s basic approach to movement along with a wealth of useful exercises to help them practice it.

This informative introduction to tai chi combines extensive discussions of principles with hands-on techniques.

Kirkus Reviews