This picture, culled from a video clip, shows women able to spar with men who are physically stronger and bigger in size. This is because of the internal force the women have developed. The heartening news is that these women are relative beginners! They are wives of corporate presidents taking part in a VIP Taijiquan course with their husbands.

The following discussion is reproduced from the thread What is Genuine, Traditional Taijiquan? started in the Shaolin Wahnam Discussion Forum on 5th June 2006.

Internal force is an essential part of genuine, traditional Taijiquan.
Sifu Robin Gamble

Sifu Robin Gamble
Instructor, Shaolin Wahnam England
22nd June 2006

What is genuine, traditional Taijiquan?

Hello Yeniseri,

Before I post the conclusion to my series of posts I would like to thank you for contributions to this debate.

They have sparked many valuable contributions from my Sifu (indirectly), my Sihengs Anthony and Andrew and also some very good explanations from Kevin, though I am unsure as to whether you have taken them on board.

Earlier you said,

All your points are excellent but I have never been graceful in any encounter and hope I will never be when confronted with street thugs because that is their modus operandi.

I am sorry to hear you have "never been graceful in any encounter" as this is actually a hallmark of 'Internal Kung-fu' particularly Wahnam Taijiquan. It is also interesting to note that this does not just apply to combat, but to all aspects of life and is just one of the many benefits of practicing genuine,traditional Taijiquan. I am not talking fancifully but from actual experience.

Also you said,

All striking is physical. I rarely use a fist because my hands are too soft but is my palm strike efficient? I have no idea.

Only if you if you have no concept (or experience) of internal force is this true.

Internal force is an essential part of genuine, traditional Taijiquan.

I honestly hope that you will read this next and concluding post with an open heart and mind, as I believe there is much to benefit from doing so.

• Part 1: What is Genuine, Traditional Taijiquan?
  
• Part 2: And Now You Back Down
  
• Part 3: Shen-Fa or Body-Movement and Other Principles of Genuine, Traditional Taijiquan
  
• Part 4: Calling a Cow a Horse
  
• Part 5: The Reality of Chi and Internal Force
  
• Part 6: Could Yang Lu Chan Defeat Modern Ultimate Fighting Arts Fighters
  
• Part 7: Chi and Internal Force in Genuine, Traditional Taijiquan
  
• Part 8: It is Amazing some Instructors would Miss an Opportunity than Learn from another Master
  
• Part 9: On Principles, Stances, Force and Age in Taijiquan
  
• Part 10: In Genuine Kungfu, Size, Weight, Age and Sex are Not Decisive Factors in Combat
  
• Part 11: How to Improve your Mental Clarity
  
• Part 12: Boxing is Boxing, Taijiquan is Taijiquan
  
• Part 13: The Benefits Students Get from Kaitan’s Taijiquan and from Wahnam Taijiquan
  
• Part 14: Harmonious Chi has a place Everywhere, and Internal Force is Real
  
• Part 15: Some Interesting Questions on Internal Force
  
• Part 16: Internal Force is an Essential Part of Genuine, Traditional Taijiquan
  

• To be continued

• Intensive Chi Kung Course
• Intensive Shaolin Kungfu Course
• Intensive Taijiquan Course

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