In performing Taiji, the instructor usually requires fairly precise forms and movements. Although different instructors may teach the same form set slightly differently, the differences usually reflect only differences in emphasis, and not differences in the underlying foundations of Taiji. The precisions required in Taiji have their underlying foundations based on the martial arts applications of Taiji or the health benefits associated with the breathings and internal movements (movements within the body) of Taiji, also known as Taiji Qigong. (For a brief introduction to Taiji Qigong, see my archived article “The Essence of Taijiquan – Part 2: Perspective from Taiji Qigong“.)
In this article, we will explain the required precise movements of Taiji from the perspective of Taiji’s martial arts applications. In a future article, we will explain the required precise movements of Taiji from the perspective of health and Taiji Qigong.
Cultural Loyalty and Political Loyalty
At the 2008 Summer Olympics, when Spain played against the U.S. for the gold medal match in men’s basketball, most Spanish Americans[1] rooted for the Spanish Team. When Brazil played against the U.S. for the gold medal match in women’s soccer, most Brazilian Americans rooted for the Brazilian Team. When China played against the U.S. for the gold medal match in women’s beach volleyball, most Chinese Americans rooted for the Chinese Team. Is there anything unusual or of concern to the U.S. about the above phenomenon? Shouldn’t American citizens be rooting for the U.S. teams? I think to discuss this issue and to answer these questions, we need to differentiate between cultural loyalty and political loyalty.
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