Mechanics of motion and quietness

Discussion on the three big Chinese internals, Yiquan, Bajiquan, Piguazhang and other similar styles.

Mechanics of motion and quietness

Postby Yeung on Mon Apr 19, 2021 3:30 am

The term "mechanics of motion and quietness" was coined by Xu Yusheng (1921):

https://brennantranslation.wordpress.co ... u-yusheng/

第二章 太極拳之意義
CHAPTER TWO: THE MEANING OF “TAIJI BOXING”太極拳者、形而上之學也。法易中陰陽動靜之理。而運勁作勢。純任自然。無中生有。所謂無極而太極也。至其運用圓活。如環無端。莫知所止。則又所謂太極本無極也。勢勢之中。着着之內。均含一圜形。故假借太極之理以說明之。而以陰陽動靜剛柔進退等喩其作用焉。非如世俗卜筮迷信者所謂太極也。現在科學昌明。後之學者。能以幾何重學等理說明之。而不沾於易象。則所深望也。
Taiji Boxing is a study in abstractions. Modeled upon the principles within the Book of Changes of passive and active, movement and stillness, its movements and postures are simple and natural, with something being generated from nothing, in other words: Wuji [“no pivot”], then Taiji [“grand pivot”]. Its movements are round and lively, like a limitless circle, no one knowing where the end is, and so again the idea that Taiji comes from Wuji. [As well as “no pivot”, Wuji can equally be rendered as “no limit”. Although representing nothingness, it seems closer in concept to infinity than to zero.] Within each posture and technique, there is a round shape, therefore explaining the borrowing of the use of the taiji principle [i.e. the yinyang symbol], serving to supply the analogies of passive/active, movement/stillness, hard/soft, advance/retreat, and so on, and is not the same as the common shamanic superstition that made use of the term “Taiji”. Nowadays science is flourishing and the next generation of students will be able to use geometry and other studies to explain its principles rather than divining from the Book of Changes, so I heartily hope.
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Re: Mechanics of motion and quietness

Postby Doc Stier on Mon Apr 19, 2021 9:44 pm

Mr. Brennan is one of the leading translators of Chinese martial art texts alive today, generously sharing his time intensive work with everyone on his excellent website. I appreciate his efforts and always enjoy reading his translations. Thanks for sharing, Yeung. 8-)
"First in the Mind and then in the Body."
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