Yin and Yang, the emblems of duality in relation to the internal arts, Part 1.

Yin and Yang, with Yang in the ascendant phase.

The first principle of Tai Chi Chuan is Tai Chi, which is the interaction of Yin and Yang in the constantly varying process of natural equilibrium.

An attack is by its very nature is definitively Yang. By accommodating, redirecting, or avoiding the attack (becoming Yin) we encourage the attacker to enter the Yin phase, by over extending, becoming unbalanced, or simply needing to recover before his next assault. During his Yin phase we may become Yang and counterattack.

---

In the martial arts it is the potential for movement that is of greatest concern 

The attacker (Black) is encouraged

To complete his attack (Yang phase)

His attack is diverted into emptiness (Yin)

leading him into the yin phase while we begin the yang response.

Because Yin and Yang are so widely recognised as a symbol, they are often not examined as concepts. It is important to remember that they describe comparative qualities, and need to be considered according to the context in which they are to be used. It is this adaptability which allows the concept to be applied in Chinese cosmology, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Cuisine, Art, or Quantum Physics; it is that same adaptability which often causes confusion.

For example we can say that in a front stance the front leg supports the weight of the body, therefore the front leg is actively working, which is a Yang action, while the Yin leg is the rear, inactive leg. Whilst this works as a use of Yin Yang theory, it is distinctly unhelpful in terms of the martial arts.
In the martial arts it is the potential for movement that is of greatest concern ... this is because it is the moving hand or foot, which strikes, throws or otherwise delivers the technique, therefore the Yang leg is the un-weighted leg, the one with the immediate potential for movement.

 
It is for this reason that systems such as Wu Dang Tai Chi Chuan, consistently require the practitioner to distinguish the weight, that is to separate the weight in the legs, 100% in one, 0%in the other except in central stances where the upper body is Yang and the lower body Yin. This practice means that there is no hesitation in movement caused by having to empty the weight from a leg before you step, the practitioner can move faster.


Enjoy your practice.
Keith

Part 2 Yin and Yang in the hands is in the next issue.