Today marks the annual International Women’s Day. As a taijiquan practitioner and an intersectional feminist, I thought I’d share some reasons I think taijiquan is a martial art that would benefit any woman interested in learning.
Body Mechanics & Power Generation
Taijiquan is a martial art that relies a lot on correct body mechanics for generating power for defense and attack. Some of the key mechanics include very flexible hips, a strong core, and strong legs. The focus on the lower body and core is an area where many women are strong. Hip flexibility is something many men struggle with and which women are more likely to excel, at least in Western cultures.
Sensitivity and Awareness
A key skill in taijiquan is called listening energy (ting jin). This essentially refers to being able to assess, in an instant, the direction and strength of an incoming force. To developing this listening energy, taijiquan practitioners focus on honing sensitivity and awareness to an extraordinary degree. Women who already have dance experience, or who are already enculturated to be situationally aware, may find cultivating this listening energy a lot easier than many.
Skill and Principle
Taijiquan is a principle-based martial art. It recognizes that focusing on strength and speed has limited utility as there will always be someone faster and stronger than you. As such, it focuses on using skill and certain martial principles in order to defeat a wide range of opponents. Taijiquan, as a martial art, can be very effective for someone who is smaller, slower and weaker than their opponent to emerge victorious.
Practical Self-Defense
Taijiquan as a martial art is a very practical option for self-defense. Its orientation is defensive which means it doesn’t rely on being able to attack first; its optimal range is upright grappling which is where most serious fights will be decided. Unlike ground-based grappling systems which are more widely popular these days, upright grappling systems allow one to deal with an opponent while remaining aware of possible reinforcements so you don’t receive an unpleasant surprise.
Beyond Martial Arts
Taijiquan is primarily and originally a martial art-albeit, it can be difficult to find an instructor with enough knowledge to develop real martial skill. However, taijiquan is other things as well, since limiting it to a martial art is classic Western binary thinking. Taijiquan has numerous benefits for health-depending on how one practices it can range from a low-impact, gentle movement to loosen up the joints to a full-on aerobic/cardio workout that will leave you sweating and discovering muscles you didn’t know you had! Taijiquan’s focus on qi cultivation and its resonances with Taoist concepts and perspectives often leads to profound spiritual experiences and development. Taijiquan, especially from a traditional family style, can also provide insights into Chinese culture more generally.
Conclusion and Invitation
Taijiquan is a deep and rich martial art. As a man with dyspraxia and autism who maxes out at 5’7″, I am not often the strongest and fastest in the room. Taijiquan has served to make me far more confident and skilled in my body despite these circumstances, without requiring participation in toxic or dangerous training environments. While I do everything I can to avoid martial conflict, if I must defend myself or others, taijiquan gives me the ability to make a fair accounting of myself. Far more often, the physical skills and broader principles instilled by taijiquan have helped me to avoid martial conflict.
I firmly believe that taijiquan would be beneficial for anyone to practice. For a host of reasons, I think it would be a martial art that many women may find more helpful and practical than some other martial arts style out there. If you are interested in giving taijiquan a try, or have any questions, I invite you to explore the Hoggs Chen Tai Chi Praxeum section on my website or contact me through my Service Request Form.
Happy International Women’s Day! May it be filled with peace, blessings, joy and love.
The Dreamers' Corner 