Supple and Slow Tai Chi

 Supple and Slow Tai Chi

Why does Tai Chi training emphasize being supple, slow, and light? This is the fundamental difference between Tai Chi and external martial arts. The distinction lies in the internal versus external approach—regarding the muscles and nervous system, slow-motion techniques are no less effective than high-intensity exercises.

For instance, consider the driving technique of a manual transmission car during a slow uphill start or navigating through a crowded marketplace. At such moments, both feet must simultaneously control the clutch and brake, requiring precise coordination between the leg muscles and the nervous system to smoothly drive the car forward.

This skill mirrors the principle of "balancing yin and yang" in Push Hands, where the hands and legs work in harmony to create opportunities to "overcome hardness with suppleness." The supple and slow movements in Tai Chi training cultivate sharpness and coordination in the muscles and nervous system, enhancing balance and promoting overall health.

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［鬆柔緩慢的太極拳］

太極拳訓練法為什麼需要鬆柔、緩慢、輕靈，這是太極拳與外家武術最大的不同點，所謂內外有別，就肌肉與神經系統而言，緩慢的運動技巧不亞於高強度的運動。

例如，手排檔汽車的駕馭技巧，展現在慢速度的上坡起步，及人潮洶湧的市場馬路上。因為，兩腳在同一時間裡，要控制離合器與煞車，需要兩腿肌肉與神經系統的協調與配合，才能順利地駕馭汽車往前行。

這種技巧如同推手功夫的「陰陽相濟」，兩手與兩腿相互合作，創造「以柔克剛」的契機，鬆柔緩慢的動作在訓練過程中，培養肌肉與神經系統的敏銳與協調性，促進身體的平衡與健康。