Translated by Joshua Hehr
Volume Three: Genuine Transmission 第三卷: 述真篇 dì sān juǎn: shù zhēn piān
This volume discusses in detail the content and specific methods of the advanced stage of Tai Chi training. The training at the advanced stage includes advanced inner strength and mental method training in boxing exercises and pushing hands training in pursuit of understanding. Understanding strength is the core of pushing hands training and the threshold for truly understanding Tai Chi. Through study and practice, from a large number of contact training, one can truly understand the significance of Tai Chi Yin and Yang principles in boxing, accurately understand and master the martial arts principles of Tai Chi, and lay a solid foundation for future combat martial arts training.
This volume begins to introduce traditional Taijiquan equipment training, including saber, sword, staff and spear.
Equipment training is an indispensable and important part of a complete Taijiquan training system, and it complements freehand training. In equipment training, on the one hand, it is necessary to master the particularity of various equipment through practice, and on the other hand, it is necessary to make all technical applications conform to the principles of Taijiquan. This volume explains the relationship between traditional equipment training and bare-handed training, the characteristics of various equipment in Taijiquan in terms of theory and practical application, and the training methods of various equipment in the intermediate and advanced stages. The focus of intermediate training is the basic technique and routine exercises of various equipment; the focus of advanced training is the application of various equipment, which introduces in detail the unique two-handed knife method, sticking sword practice, sticking rod pairing, etc. The core of the training is how to apply the principles of Taijiquan to the equipment technology after reaching the understanding of force.
Taijiquan equipment training often goes beyond the meaning of the equipment itself. It is a supplement to the opponent's Taijiquan training, and especially plays an important role in promoting and assisting the deepening and strengthening of Taijiquan's advanced internal strength training.