Author Wei Kunliang My impression when I first learned Tai Chi, what I heard from the teacher and what I later read in some books and periodicals, were that the crotch should be "translated" when moving forward and backward during practice. At that time, I thought that "translation" was very simple. In fact, this was an ignorant, general, superficial, and one-sided understanding of "translation". In the 1990s, I became confused about the term "translation" because I saw in audio and video products that some Yang-style masters moved their crotch forward in an obviously upward arc. For example, during the formation of the single whip, the forward movement of the body first gradually increases slightly, and then gradually decreases. When the lunge is formed, the body lowers to the original height. I wonder if this is what the traditional and authentic Yang family's "translation" is like? I always feel like this is wrong, but I can't make any sense. At that time, another master of the traditional Chen style proposed that when practicing boxing, the crotch should be "taken in the lower arc of the bottom of the pot." After reading his book and video, I felt that it was indeed reasonable. By doing this, the legs can also bear strength, and I feel It can exercise the strength of both legs. Later, I saw a teacher teaching traditional Yang-style boxing in a neighboring neighborhood. The initial arc of the bow was very large, with a difference of about 20 centimeters. It was like a wave with troughs and crests in the sea during typhoon weather. I thought to myself This is wrong, but it doesn’t make any sense. Later, I saw the boxing training videos of Mr. Pu Bingru and Zheng Manqing, and I sincerely felt that the movement of their bodies should be a model for "translation" in boxing practice. But why this "translation" is correct, I can't explain. In fact, "translation" is still a vague and superficial understanding. After that, through continuous exploration and understanding in the practice of boxing and pushing hands, I finally had a deeper understanding and experience of "translation", and finally formed my current accurate understanding. My understanding is this: The forward movement of the body in martial arts is all for attacking people. Regardless of whether the feet move or the feet do not move, the attack is either carried out at the moment when the person is forward, or it is carried out while moving forward. Some seniors have reported that the Yang family's traditional attack is usually to take half a step with the front or back foot, or to follow the step forward. This can be clearly seen from Mr. Sun Nanxin's introduction to the routines of "Yang Style Tai Chi Changquan". Although Mr. Chen Weiming absorbed some things from Sun Style Quan into Yang Style Tai Chi Chang Quan, and the Yang family originally had Tai Chi Chang Quan, the progressive step is actually a common footwork in martial arts. Regardless of the form of body movement, "sinking" is one of the key factors necessary to use the force transmitted from the feet. No matter how big or small the force is. To be more specific, one of the most important factors is that the acetabulum in the hip joint and the femoral head are tightly against each other. It feels like a "sit" in which the pelvis especially moves backward and falls. And the moment when the energy is exerted correctly must be particularly "deep". It can be seen from the principle of "momentum transfer" of the human body that this is an essential factor for the transmission of force from the legs and feet to the body and arms. Without this key factor, it would be impossible to achieve the transmission of force from the legs and feet to the body and arms. of. Senior Sun Jianyun said in "Sun Style Tai Chi Explanation" that the center of the body's weight falls on the back foot at the moment when the back foot touches the ground. In actual combat, it is so that the back foot touches the ground during the heel step and the attack force is released at the same moment. In the 1970s and 1980s, I used to learn traditional Xingyiquan from Teacher Wang. The splitting, collapsing, drilling, cannon, and horizontal movements involved shaking the feet. At that time, some of my classmates and I thought it was a sudden kick of the foot. Later, I gradually understood this. In fact, it is naturally formed when the body's center of gravity falls on the ground and the feet exert force. This kind of situation can also be seen in the competition routines of Chen-style Tai Chi. For example, the shaking of the feet by turning the back, pushing the palms, and stepping back to press the elbows are actually caused by the body's center of gravity falling on the ground and the rear feet, and there is no need to deliberately kick the feet. To be able to have such a natural foot shaking situation, the "sun" of "sitting" when the pelvis moves backward and falls during body movement must always be maintained, otherwise, such a situation cannot occur. To always maintain this "sun", only "translation" can guarantee it. Many people who practice boxing do not know how to naturally shake their feet without deliberately pushing on the ground. One of the reasons is that they cannot "sink" and "translate". This need for "translation" is especially experienced in the continuation of the competition routine Chen Style Tai Chi. Because of this kind of "translation", there are no redundant movements and no preparation time for exerting force. The back foot of the follow step touches the ground and the exertion of force can be at the same moment. Therefore, the speed of exerting force is the fastest and the best way to successfully grasp the slightest movement. Lost opportunity. And if it is "walking under the pot in an arc", then first of all, this "walking under the pot in an arc" requires time in the movement process, thus increasing the preparation time for redundant movements and energy.
The reason is simple. The straight-line movement of an object must take less time and distance than the arc movement. And all kinds of opportunities in martial arts are almost fleeting. Doesn't "taking advantage of the pot" bring trouble? Secondly, once it "goes under the arc of the pot", if it was originally "sunken", the "sink" will be lost. Because the "arc shape under the pot" is actually a kind of "floating" in which the center of gravity is unstable. This principle is also very simple. In terms of motion mechanics, whenever an object rises or falls, its center of gravity will inevitably change. This rule can also be easily verified. For example, if you stand on a scale and move your body up and down, the weight indication of the scale will change at the same time, which reflects that the center of gravity is unstable. And "unstable center of gravity" is actually a kind of "floating". However, in Tai Chi, it is necessary to be "heavy" to generate strength. Then the "heavy" required to generate strength can only be re-formed after the back foot of the heel step touches the ground, that is, after the "arc arc under the pot" is completed. The strength is formed by The power to rise from the feet must also occur after "sinking", which increases the preparation time for power. Therefore, this kind of "arcing under the pot" is okay as a basic skill exercise, and it is also the same in actual combat. It must be superfluous, and it is likely to miss the opportunity and be counterattacked by others. Some people realize that "moving under the pot in an arc" can enhance the power of Fa Jin. However, from its specific analysis and introduction, it is obvious that this experience is one-sided, unreal, and an illusion. This analysis explains "the crotch moves down the arc" as "when switching the center of gravity, the crotch should be pressed and move along a slightly downward arc-shaped movement route. The trajectory of the center point of the crotch is a small degree. Lower arc". However, first, there is no doubt that moving the body forward with force is a sudden and flashing action. Although Tai Chi attaches great importance to the force of "soft landing", this "soft landing" is also pursued as fast as possible. How is it possible to make and experience the movements and feelings of "slightly downward arc trajectory movement" in such a fleeting time? This is not allowed by the time required for human sensory experience. In other words, it is impossible to experience it. Secondly, the "sink" in martial arts is not the "arc shape under the pot", but "the feeling of the pelvis moving backward and falling". For example, it is a bit like the "Zangfeng" stroke at the beginning of a horizontal stroke in calligraphy, where the brush is moved slightly to the left and then horizontally to the right. This "sun" is mainly the reaction and feeling in the body. In terms of appearance, although "sun" is definitely reflected in the sharp angle of the hip creases on the hind legs, such a posture alone does not necessarily mean "sun", because "sun" is in The reflection in appearance is not obvious, except for those who have real "sinking" experience, it is difficult to detect. And "sinking" and then rising again is obviously "floating". Isn’t the “lower arc of the bottom of the pot” also the “floating” of “sinking and rising again”? Therefore, even if people's senses can be accurate enough to experience such a "bottom-shaped arc" in a flash, this "bottom-shaped arc" is not in line with the characteristics of "sinking". Third, if it has already "sinked", why should it continue to "sink"? This kind of "sinking" and then "moving along a slightly forward and downward arc" is reduced, which actually destroys the original "sinking". The principle is also very simple. To use an upside-down analogy, upward is likened to "sinking" and downward is likened to "floating". If there is a piece of wood floating in a calm river, use a bamboo pole to hold it against the piece of wood and push it. When a piece of wood moves on the water surface, it will feel strong, which is equivalent to "sinking"; and if the piece of wood is in the sea, and the sea makes slightly gentle undulating waves while pushing the piece of wood on the water surface, the piece of wood will As the gently undulating waves slowly rise, this is equivalent to "sinking and then falling again." Can the bamboo pole still have the original sense of effectiveness when it is pressed against this piece of wood? Obviously it's impossible. Therefore, this kind of "sinking and then falling" destroys the original "sinking". In fact, this kind of person who thinks that "moving under the pot in an arc" can enhance the power of Fa Jin is to understand the real objective situation and regard the process of the original "sink" suddenly becoming "sunken" with "crotch to be pressed" as the real objective situation. "The crotch goes down the arc". The expression is inaccurate and untrue. It is undoubtedly correct for martial arts to pursue the "sink" of "the crotch should be pressed down", but "the crotch should move down the arc" obviously cannot *coexist with the "sink". Moreover, the factor that determines the power of Fa Jin is not just "heavy", but also important factors such as a stable and centered center of gravity, back support of the waist and spine, the embrace posture of both hands, and using the opponent's strength to gain momentum, etc. Being able to send people very far does not necessarily mean that you are particularly powerful. Therefore, it is one-sided to think that "sunken" will make Fa Jin more powerful. Generally speaking, "sinking" and "translation" are an important factor in successfully generating energy.
Many people often feel that they need to exert energy but are unable to do so for a while. The inability to "sink" and "translate" is a very important reason. The "upper arc" also has the disadvantage of "the crotch goes down the arc". The reason why the "upper arc" is formed is because there is no "sit down" in the first place, that is, the gluteal grooves of the hind legs do not bear the weight of the upper body. In terms of appearance, the gluteal grooves often have almost no angle and the body moves forward. It is definitely not like sitting on a stool and moving flatly. Straightening the back legs will inevitably push the body upward. From a mechanical point of view, it means that the center of gravity rises. From a Tai Chi point of view, it means "floating". The above-mentioned things can be proven through practical tests for people who can "sink" a little. The retreating movement of Tai Chi is like chasing a monkey, using retreat as an attack. It also requires the body to always be "sitting", so it also behaves as "translational". As for the body movement of Tai Chi in "Zhan Nian Lian Sui", the effect that "Zhan Nian Lian Sui" must have is to make the opponent "ultimately powerless and frustrated". To have such an effect, the center of gravity of one's own body must be stable, "Sitting" that is not easily induced is also crucial, so it is also expressed as "translation". Of course, mere "translation" is not necessarily the traditional "translation" of the Yang family. The Yang family's traditional "translation" also includes elements such as the slight crotch contraction at the beginning of the body movement, and the "three-line advancement" without pitching and swinging of the body during the movement, that is, "supporting" and other elements. Therefore, the traditional "translation" of the Yang family is not the result of intentionality, but intentionality is often affectation. If it is artificial, it will often be self-defeating and self-defeating. In fact, the traditional "translation" of the Yang family is due to the correct "sticking, adhering, following" and the correct "fading". The required "sinking" is naturally formed by the synergy of various other essentials, and is a reflection of the whole "sinking" from a certain angle. If you really have the "sinking" skill of Tai Chi, "translation", slight hip contraction at the beginning of the body movement, no pitching and swinging of the body during the movement, etc. will be a given. To sum up, for Tai Chi and other martial arts that use transitive force to generate energy, the body should be "translational" no matter how it moves, and both "upper arc" and "walking under the pot arc" are Wrong.