The Internal Power of Tai Chi Chuan and Changes in the Human Sinew and Bone Structure

by langrentoh1 on 2012-02-23 13:34:40

Tai Chi Internal Power and Changes in the Human Tendon-Bone Structure

I. Preliminary Understanding of Tai Chi Internal Power

The formation of Tai Chi internal power, in the initial stage of cultivation, requires methods such as relaxation combined with mental focus, inner energy, and other factors for comprehensive training. The formation of internal power is due to a series of changes in the human tendons, bones, and muscles. These subtle changes are not easily detectable, so many people mistakenly think that internal power is merely a sensation of exertion, ignoring the fact that the generation of internal power results from microscopic changes in the body's structure.

Let us understand how the human structure changes during the formation of internal power.

What is Tai Chi internal power? It can be definitively said that internal power is a form of muscle strength. Any force in the human body cannot be generated without muscle strength, regardless of how much inner energy or mental focus you have. Whenever you move your body, you must use muscle strength. So why have Tai Chi practitioners throughout history always taught us to practice Qi and use intention instead of force? In reality, this is part of the training process. Practicing Qi or intention is all about better utilizing the body's muscle strength. This is the secret behind the creation of Tai Chi. Practicing Tai Chi starts with practicing Qi and intention. Clearly, internal power must be a new way of muscle strength coordination formed under the cooperation of "Qi" and "intention." Folklore often refers to this force as "Dantian Force." In Chen-style Tai Chi, there is a method of practicing Tai Chi internal power through the circulation of Dantian Qi. However, there are other training methods as well, such as Yang-style Tai Chi, which uses the concept of various Qi circles and spheres within the body to train internal power. Why does this method work to develop internal power and create a new way of muscle coordination? It turns out that consciousness, through the nervous system and inner energy, can adjust the muscles. Different coordination changes in the muscles result in various forces. Here, the most important factor is consciousness or intention. Through specific intentions, muscles can undergo certain changes.

However, simply understanding this point is insufficient because people may mistakenly believe that during Tai Chi movements, only with the participation of consciousness can internal power be generated. Therefore, practicing and using Tai Chi cannot be done without intention; without intention, there is no internal power. The truth is that once internal power is formed, it can appear at any time, indicating that the muscles have undergone some changes. At this point, there is no longer a need for intention or so-called guiding of inner energy to generate internal power.

II. Understanding of Tai Chi Internal Power in Terms of Body Structure

So, when internal power can appear at any time, what kind of changes occur in the muscles?

Nowadays, people may want to observe these changes through modern physiology or anatomy, but unfortunately, current physiology or anatomy does not yet have the ability to accurately explain this phenomenon. However, if we use the meridian theory based on traditional Chinese medical and martial arts theoretical systems, without relying on various instruments, but directly through experiments and observations on the human body itself to explain these internal powers, we might obtain a more reasonable understanding.

For example: One of the most important ways of muscle exertion in Tai Chi is "linking section by section," upon which many techniques are built. This is a summary of experiments conducted by previous generations of martial artists on their own bodies. How is "linking section by section" achieved? Many people mistakenly assume that their limbs moving like a snake signifies "linking section by section." Clearly, this understanding only focuses on the observable large muscle groups performing similar movements, making it quite rough. In reality, the most important feature of "linking section by section" is that all muscle groups in the entire body are involved in very precise muscle movements. Therefore, there must be an exact muscle structure that can interact and coordinate with each other simultaneously.

What is this muscle structure that allows the body to achieve "linking section by section" at any time in different situations? It is the clearly defined pathways of tendon-like muscle sensations that form after training the whole body, commonly referred to as "tendons" in folk terms. Some boxing styles' theories also mention the appearance of "tendons." However, according to some claims, these "tendons" are visible, large, and thick, which definitely differs from the "tendons" I am referring to here. The "tendons" developed through Tai Chi are related to the direction of meridians. Their pathways largely align with the routes of meridians, meaning that meridians participate in the formation of these "tendons" (the pathways of the two "tendons" in the body), along with abdominal breathing.

It can be clearly stated that these "tendons" are not the "tendons" in anatomical terms but rather a muscular sensation. They are highly coordinated muscle forces formed through rigorous training and follow specific pathways, giving the sensation of one or multiple tendons contracting simultaneously. Different types of power correspond to different "tendons." Therefore, cultivating various "tendons" is not easy and requires extensive practice to form them. If you mistakenly consider them as the "tendons" in anatomical terms, you will deviate, and thus fail to experience these "tendons."

Moreover, these "tendons" are not just one or a few; they are densely distributed throughout the body. The more proficient one becomes, the more numerous, refined, and minute these "tendons" become, enhancing their control over the body.

The body forms many "muscle lines" from head to toe, which can be seen as the strings of a bow, each capable of generating force. The traditional Tai Chi theory mentions "five bows prepared in the body," which is a general statement. Truly speaking, the body should be "prepared with bows everywhere," meaning "wherever touched, wherever force is generated." This is an important characteristic of true Tai Chi internal power.

The above describes only the vertical direction of the muscle lines in Tai Chi, which is insufficient. There are also horizontal muscle lines.

These "tendons" are produced through continuous practice of the human body. They cannot be obtained through single-method exercises alone. They are the result of interactions between practicing Qi, intention, and muscles. Thus, "tendons" are the sensations of directional force generated by the unified and coordinated action of muscles, composed of muscle strength, though invisible, they can be felt. From a cellular perspective, these tendons are the result of ordered arrangements of muscle cell charges, allowing nerve cells to control directional muscle contractions. To achieve such fine muscle movement patterns, correct and arduous training is indispensable. Therefore, the structural changes in the body associated with internal power are microscopic, involving changes in the flow of blood and Qi in the meridians, changes in cellular charges, and adjustments in muscle coordination. During this process, your tendons, bones, joints, and ligaments will inevitably undergo some imperceptible fine-tuning under the influence of muscle strength. Although these changes may not be visible, some phenomena can still be felt.

III. Application Effects of Internal Power from the Perspective of "Tendons"

With the concept of "tendons" understood, we can grasp the real significance of emphasizing "not using force" in Tai Chi training. The practical application of Tai Chi relies on these "tendons" developed through "not using force" and extensive practice to realize combat techniques. Using "tendons" for combat gives the impression of requiring minimal effort, feeling light and effortless, hence it can also be described as "not using force." These "tendons" are obviously versatile, able to expand or contract, be soft or hard, disperse or gather, round or square, changing up and down, adapting left and right. Only with such "tendons" can one apply various forces in different situations and achieve "leading into emptiness" and "adhering, connecting, following" in rapid combat. This means that in the network of "tendons" composed of longitudinal and transverse directions, every point can generate various forces.

An important recognition about these "tendons" is that they are interconnected, not rigid or fixed. They can respond appropriately to changes in the opponent's force. Therefore, describing these "tendons" as "living tendons" would be more accurate.

When you possess these "living tendons," you will find that while practicing various actions and generating force across different Tai Chi schools, you can utilize them freely. Eventually, you will realize that although the paths and forms differ among schools, their ultimate goal is the same — constructing this "tendon" structure in the body. The path to finding "tendons" is diverse, irrespective of school or form. As long as it suits your personal environment and characteristics, it is the best way.

Perhaps, in past Tai Chi theories, there was no such exposition on "tendons." This article merely offers another perspective, representing a change in thinking. In practice, you will discover that shifting your mindset can make various classic Tai Chi theories easier to understand and master.