16/08/2024
DON’T BLOCK
A famous Systema teacher, Vladimir Vasiliev (pictured), always invites his students not to block the attacks they received, avoiding using hard parades, therefore never opposing their own strength to that of the opponent. Even in seminars I often repeat: “Don’t block... blend" (“Don't block... Blend in [with your opponent]).
Being able to “blend” or “mix” with the opponent (like sugar does in water), the defensive movement becomes a harmonious continuation of the opponent’s action, which can be seen returning its own strength... multiplied. Even the strategy of Aikido and Judo (as much less than the “classic” one) is based on this concept, which implies, among other things: yield, connection, harmonization, merger with the opponent.
In Taiji the self-defense strategy includes all this, which can be traced even in the famous aphorism “do not resist, do not insist, do not disconnect [with the opponent]”. Tactically, this type of self-defense involves four essential phases: “Ting, Hua, Na, Fa” and that is: Listen, Neutralize, Control, Issue
LISTENING
When an opponent attacks, we always look for hard contact (Yang) with our body, but if our "parade" (the term is inappropriate but can serve) is "soft" (Yin, deviating and/or restraint movement) we do not create contrast or "separation" but "union" with the opponent; if my body remains relaxed, all the my proprioceptive system stays active (it is now known that muscle contraction inhibits proprioception) and I can connect with the structure of the attacker, perceiving their balance, tension...
At the moment of contact you will have to “give in”, maintaining the balance and adapting the structure by means of “active” relaxation and “cushioning” of all joints.
NEUTRALIZE
Strength is associated with intensity, direction and direction. If giving in to the verse of force diminishes its intensity, then it is essential to change its direction, directing it out of its center. The “giving in” will therefore transform into “rotating” which will redirect the incoming force outside our center.
CHECK
The momentum of the attack tends to compromise the dynamic balance of the opponent; in this regard the Taiji Classics recommend "drop the opponent into the void". Through joint contact (generally controlling the opponent’s wrist and elbow) it’s possible to control it, even for a moment. In the meantime our body will “sink”, which will result in stretching the erector muscles of the back which, like rubber bands, will accumulate potential energy; meanwhile, the release of muscle tensions will cause the extension muscles of the hind leg to be “compressed” like the spurs of a spring;
EMISSION
At this point the body, continuing to sink, will lead the "center" following an ascending circular trajectory, it will lead the wave of force generated by the elastic compression of tissues (muscles, tendons, faxis... ) and of the back.
At the time of emission, the legs will complete their spiral motion, without in any other way extending upwards, while the column will remain perfectly aligned, just as the top of the head will be aligned with the beetle.
Allowing the first offensive movement to the opponent doesn’t depend only on ethical reasons; it can be rather a matter of “method”. The choice of “block” or “blending” with the opponent depends not only on the discipline, but also on the level of practice.
