Warding Off--Move Forward to Redirect

Warding Off--Move Forward to Redirect

The warding off movement might involve raising your arms, but the intention should indeed be to move forward, not up. Here's why:

• Effective Warding Off: The primary goal of warding off (Peng) in Tai Chi is to neutralize an incoming attack. You want to redirect the force away from your body, not simply block it upwards.
• Maintaining Balance: If your intention is to move up, you might end up leaning back to raise your arms. This can compromise your balance and make you more vulnerable to further attacks.
• Internal Power: Moving forward with your warding off motion helps you utilize your body structure and internal energy (jin) more effectively. This creates a stronger and more controlled deflection.
• Harmony with Movement: Tai Chi emphasizes smooth and connected movements. Moving forward aligns with the natural flow of energy and helps you maintain a sense of control throughout the technique.

So, when warding off:

• Imagine rooting yourself to the ground with your legs.
• Move your body slightly forward as you raise your arms to deflect the attack.
• Think of your intention as "meeting" the force, not just pushing it upwards.

Remember: Tai Chi self-defense is about control and redirection, not brute force. Moving forward with your warding off motion helps you achieve this by utilizing your entire body structure and internal energy. 

Explanation and Rationale:

1. Peng (Ward Off) Movement:

   Description: Peng is one of the primary energies in Tai Chi, involving an outward and slightly upward movement that creates a rounded, expansive force.

   Intention Forward (向前): When performing Peng, the intention should be to project energy forward. This creates a stable and effective defense while maintaining your own balance and structure.

   Not Upward (不是向上): If the intention is directed upward, it can lead to losing balance and becoming ungrounded, which makes you vulnerable to being unbalanced or uprooted by your opponent.

2. Effective Use of Force:

   Forward Intention: Directing your intention forward ensures that the force is applied efficiently against your opponent, creating a stable barrier that can deflect or neutralize incoming energy.

   Grounding: Forward intention keeps you grounded, with your energy and weight properly rooted. This makes it difficult for your opponent to disrupt your balance.

   Structural Integrity: Forward intention maintains the structural integrity of the ward-off position, using the whole body to support the movement rather than just the arms.

3. Principle of Yin and Yang:

   Balance: Tai Chi movements balance Yin and Yang energies. In Peng, the forward intention represents Yang (active, projecting energy), balanced by the Yin (receptive, grounding energy) of maintaining your center and not rising up.

   Harmony: This balance ensures that your movements are harmonious, stable, and effective, embodying the core principles of Tai Chi.

Here's a more nuanced explanation:

• Deflection, Not Blocking: The goal of warding off (Peng) is not to directly block the attack but to deflect it. You want to use your arms and body structure to change the direction of the incoming force, guiding it away from your body.

• Utilizing Angles: While some forward movement might be involved, you might also use angles to deflect the force. Imagine using your arms to guide the attacking force to the side or slightly upwards, effectively neutralizing it.

• Harmony with Body Structure: The forward movement should be a natural consequence of utilizing your body structure and internal energy (jin). It's not about a forceful push but a coordinated movement that redirects the force.

Practical Application:

    Ward Off Position: When performing Peng, imagine pushing a ball forward with both hands. The movement should be outward and slightly forward, maintaining a rounded structure that can absorb and redirect force.

    Body Mechanics: Engage your core and legs to support the movement, keeping your center of gravity low and stable. This grounding provides the necessary support for the forward intention.

    Energy Flow: Focus on sending your energy forward from your center (Dantian) through your arms, rather than lifting it upward. This ensures that the force is applied in the direction of the opponent, effectively warding off their attack.

By focusing your intention forward rather than upward in the ward-off movement, you maintain balance, structure, and effectiveness, adhering to the fundamental principles of Tai Chi.