Ru Feng Si Bi" (如封似閉, "As If Sealing and Closing")

Ru Feng Si Bi" (如封似閉, "As If Sealing and Closing")

The name "Ru Feng Si Bi" comes from the movement’s structure, internal energy mechanics, and Tai Chi philosophy. It describes a combination of defense and energy control, where one seals off an opponent’s attack while maintaining a potential counterstrike. Let's break it down:

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1️⃣ Meaning of the Name: "Sealing" and "Closing"

• "Feng" (封, Sealing) → Blocking or sealing off the opponent’s force, preventing them from penetrating your defense.

• "Bi" (閉, Closing) → Drawing energy inward, consolidating structure, and maintaining stability while preparing for the next move.

💡 Interpretation:

• "Ru Feng" (如封, As If Sealing) → Looks like sealing off an opponent’s attack, neutralizing their force.

• "Si Bi" (似閉, As If Closing) → Seems like closing oneself off, maintaining structure while preparing for counteraction.

This reflects the Tai Chi principle of dynamic balance—defense blending with offense.

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2️⃣ Movement Breakdown: How "Sealing" and "Closing" Work

"Ru Feng Si Bi" typically follows "Lan Que Wei" (Grasping the Bird’s Tail) and consists of these key movements:

1. The arms move inward in a soft but structured manner, as if sealing an open space.

2. The body slightly sits back, collecting energy instead of resisting directly.

3. The hands close in front of the chest, but remain elastic, neither rigid nor collapsed, maintaining readiness for action.

🔹 "Sealing" Effect (Feng, 封): When an opponent attacks, your movement deflects or neutralizes their force by smoothly redirecting it.

🔹 "Closing" Effect (Bi, 閉): You maintain a strong internal structure, preventing your opponent from disrupting your balance while conserving potential energy.

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3️⃣ Internal Energy Mechanics (Jin 劲 and Qi 氣 Flow)

Tai Chi is not just about physical movements but also about how energy (Jin 劲) is controlled and issued.

✔ Neutralization ("Hua 化")

• Instead of blocking forcefully, sealing (Feng) redirects and dissolves the opponent’s strength.

• By guiding the force along a circular path, the opponent loses their offensive advantage.

✔ Energy Gathering ("He 合")

• Closing (Bi) gathers internal energy rather than dissipating it.

• This stores power for a sudden counterstrike (Fa Jin, 發勁).

💡 Practical Application:

• You seem to defend, but in reality, you are setting up the next attack.

• When the opponent's force weakens, you can explode with power using techniques like Peng (掤) or An (按).

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4️⃣ Yin-Yang Balance in Tai Chi Philosophy

"Ru Feng Si Bi" embodies the Tai Chi principle of Yin and Yang:

• Sealing (Feng) → Yang → A seemingly active movement that manipulates the opponent’s force.

• Closing (Bi) → Yin → A seemingly passive movement that stores power internally.

The dynamic exchange between sealing and closing reflects the Tai Chi strategy of "soft overcoming hard" and "yielding before striking."

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5️⃣ Application in Push Hands and Combat

In push hands (推手) or real combat, "Ru Feng Si Bi" is used to:

• Disrupt the opponent’s attack by sealing off their force.

• Prevent loss of structure by keeping the body connected and stable.

• Prepare for a counterattack by absorbing energy and redirecting it at the right moment.

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Conclusion

"Ru Feng Si Bi" is not just a defensive movement—it represents the Tai Chi principles of adaptability, internal power, and strategic control. The name reflects its dual function:

1. Sealing the opponent’s energy (deflecting or neutralizing force).

2. Closing to consolidate power for counteraction.

When practicing, focus on both external movements and internal energy flow—feeling how force transitions between opening and closing, and learning to control energy smoothly. By achieving "Sealing but not rigid, Closing but not collapsed," you can master the deeper essence of Tai Chi.

**「如封似閉」**是一個太極拳勢，名稱來源與其動作、意境及內部勁道有關。這個名稱可以從以下幾個角度來理解：

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1️⃣ 名稱解析：封與閉的意義

• 「封」：封住、封閉、阻擋對方的攻勢，不讓對方的力量或攻擊進入自己內部。

• 「閉」：收合、關閉，象徵內部勁力的圓融，保持防守的完整性。

💡 「如封似閉」的意思

• 「如封」 → 像是封住對手的來勢，讓對方的力量無法貫穿你的防線。

• 「似閉」 → 似乎封閉自身，收合能量，避免自己被攻破。

這反映了一種「守中帶攻、動中含靜」的意境，即在防守中仍保有攻擊的潛能。

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2️⃣ 動作分析：如何做到「封」與「閉」

「如封似閉」通常出現在攬雀尾之後，動作大致如下：

1. 兩手由外向內合攏，像是將一個開放的空間逐漸封住。

2. 同時身體微微後坐，收回勁力，形成內含的防守結構。

3. 最後，手臂在胸前呈現「合閉」狀態，但不僵硬，而是保持鬆柔有彈性，隨時可以發勁。

🔹 「封」的作用：當對手來攻時，可以將他的力量化解，封鎖進攻路線。

🔹 「閉」的作用：保持內部能量收斂，不讓對手輕易破防，但同時蘊含反擊的可能性。

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3️⃣ 內勁與太極理論

「如封似閉」的動作不只是手的移動，更涉及內部勁力的運行。

✔ 「化」的概念：

• 當對方來力過猛時，你的「封」不是硬擋，而是讓勁力流動，類似「借力打力」的原則。

• 透過封擋的過程，你可以逐漸引導對方失去重心。

✔ 「合中有發」：

• 「閉」並非純粹的防禦，而是一種聚勁的方式。

• 當對方來勢減弱或有破綻時，隨時可以反擊發勁（如掤、按、擠）。

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4️⃣ 太極哲學與陰陽變化

「如封似閉」這個名稱還體現了太極拳的陰陽變化：

• 封 → 陽 → 看似主動封住對手，但實際上可能是誘導對方發力。

• 閉 → 陰 → 看似收合防守，實則蘊含後發制人的能量。

這與太極拳講求的「鬆柔含剛、後發制人」的原則相符合。

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5️⃣ 應用在推手與實戰

在推手或實戰中，「如封似閉」可以應用於：

• 讓對手的攻擊無處發力，使他失去進攻方向。

• 在防守時保持鬆柔，而非僵硬抵抗。

• 在適當時機利用對手的錯誤進行反擊或發勁。

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結論

「如封似閉」的命名來自於其動作特點、內勁運行、太極理論及陰陽轉化的概念。這個勢並不只是單純的防守，而是太極拳攻防一體、剛柔並濟的體現。在練習時，應該關注內外兼修，體會勁力如何由開而合，再由合而開，做到「封而不死，閉而不僵」，才能真正掌握其中奧妙。