“Tiger creeps down Yang saber form”

Hello my name is Dennis Pounall and I have been involved in Taijiquan for a number of years, and practicing martial arts for the last 30 years. I was introduced to martial arts by many teachers and influenced by a few. In my time of study I began to understand that martial arts is both a discipline and an Art Form. Pursuing the discipline, one should acquire a combination of proper instruction, adept understanding, and appropriate application.

These factors along with a wholesome traditional foundation separates modern from traditional martial arts. In today’s society, the most challenging aspect of the arts are the recent drawbacks of modern lifestyle and global attitudes. To most young people today, the reasons for choosing and studying a martial art are quite variable. Some may see it as a way to become famous, the next winner of the ”Ultimate Fighting Championship” commonly known as the ”King of the Octagon”.

Others may pursue another path where they choose the tournament circuit as their arena, and pursue recognition by winning trophies and titles…

“The Maio Dao sabers pierces the heavens”

If a traditional approach is chosen, their should be some philosophy, some theology and some room for adaption and innovation. This allows both, the art and the artist to maintain its essential principles, yet develop and add to its traditional forte, Thus allowing room for continued growth by keeping it a living tradition and maintaining a vital  system.  Then the art’s full expression stays dynamic, and the essential discipline and the style never gets lost. Thereafter each generation of practitioners will add a little more to the system, breathing fresh life into the martial art, making it relevant in the time and environment in which it is practiced.

Taijiquan and Taijiboxing is heavily steeped in the artistic expression depending on which family style you practice, and archaic principles founded in a symbiotic relationship between Taoism and Buddhism.

In article written by Gene Ching From, an interview with master Taiji Player Dr. Yang Jwing Ming (Kungfu Taiji Magazine March/April )edition (pages 33-44), he conducts an interview and asks some very poignant question.

Question: ”What do you see as the biggest challenges facing traditional Chinese martial art today?”

Answer: ”Today’s lifestyle has changed as well as the peoples attitudes. A new ‘MacDonald Culture’ has taken over with a fancy of quick and low quality martial arts. There attitude is, fast training and fast result. No time for dedication. No time to practice and no patience is the today’s motto, henceforth the evolution of ‘Mixed Martial Arts’ is in trouble.

Likewise, Dr. Yang Jwing Ming stated: ”Most people don’t care for traditional Chinese martial arts the same way they don’t care for classical music.” Dr. Yang Jwing Ming then went on to show that due to dedication, perseverance and patience, the pioneers of the past were able to produce high level refined music called classical music. As much as many people today listen to Rock music, classical music still survives the test of time. Rock music on the other hand keeps changing genre with each ever-changing generation, however, people still like the classical rock of the 80′s as well as any other decade.

Consequently, if people did not hold on to tradition and added to it, there would be no foundation for the next generation to stand on. Therefore it is important to preserve the traditional martial arts, its paths and methods, separated from modern day distractions. Maybe with more of a focus on living one’s life to the fullest potential.

The key to mastering the arts may lie in it’s simple adherence to a discipline. Based in traditional methods  with a more flexible approach. providing a opportunity for longevity, creativity, and individual personal development. With today’s “MacDonald Societal attitudes”, and the  “now generation” ideas for immediate gratification.It maybe easy to understand why so many young martial arts  athletes might view traditional martial arts as a waste of their time.

A reasonably fit and motivated individual might be able to learn the basics of the  Pugilistic arts; and could even possibly win a U.F.C. title. and in the process earn a sizable income, with maybe endorsements .But the true essence of the art might well be lost. They may  have earned lots of money,  notoriety  and may even become a famous action movie star.   These things along with possible endorsements or royalties would be very attractive to many people but at what cost?

The Ultimate Fighting Championship ,is the only public-ally recognized professional martial arts venue that is not based  exclusively in a Asian affiliated martial arts tradition.Unlike boxing and wrestling which are more from a European decent. Mixed martial arts as it is called is primarily based in traditional fighting systems of Asian decent.

Thus widening it’s appeal to the everyday martial arts practitioner with the desire and guts to put the time, effort  into training and excel in this self motivated  careers. This   maybe  one of the fundamental reasons for its growing popularity among the next generation of martial arts athletes.

But, on the other hand When you train in a good traditional system, you will acquire the ability to have peace of mind, along with a healthy body weight. you also change your views to a more peaceful and benevolent attitude towards others. and may even learn how to avoid personal confrontations.  Which would you choose?

Both require great effort and sacrifice, but the traditional martial art will be  life changing and can be done for a long time.  And  like good classical music, seems to get better with  with age .
With traditional martial arts you can train a higher level of awareness and maintain a higher level of alertness. This along with self control allows you  the  added bonus for a peacefully integrated mind, body and  peaceful spiritual lifestyle.

Today most of Taijiquan instruction is based in traditional theories with a traditional curriculum. It tends to attract more gentle midlife practitioners who practice for various reasons. Yet still the underlying principles remain consistent regardless of the style or focus of their training.

Most Taiji players receive an inherent benefit of peace of mind, a willingness to learn and understand that  practice makes perfect. Although we do not seek perfection by external gratification but accept the personal benefits of daily development.

We learn patience, and some delve a little deeper to learn perception, the ability to take the basic principles and add to them to create something else. And yet still others learn transmission.

This is yet another skill the ability to bring encourage or enlighten a fellow practitioner to the level of individual  interpretation and practical self defense applications. These hidden qualities are sometimes overlooked and not mentioned as part of the ongoing evolution for the universal movement of Taijiquan.

Taijiquan instruction and traditional martial arts schools should strive to teach life principles, life skills, and practical applications for today’s students.

This could mean not holding back and be willing to keep learning and keep sharing. This gives each player the ability for ongoing personal evolution as both a disciple, or as a player in this great musical adventure called life.

Taijiboxing as a martial art is a journey of self discovery that requires one to understand and except the elusive concept of ”Wuji”.

This slow unraveling of truth is the difference between legend and mastery, fact and fiction. The key is not to be attached to either definition, but to “only go straight”.

Adopting a only doing, not trying kind of attitude. I would encourage everyone to discovery who, and what is their version of Taijiboxing.

Thanks for your interest. I hope you enjoyed my ideas, be well aware !!

I would like to thank my wife Jane for helping me to edit this article and hope you all enjoy it !!

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150182844390366&comments&ref=mf