Cross training

When I started training the internal arts of tai chi chuan, I found that my
previous experiences within external arts actually hindered my
progress.

It took a long time to lose the old habits of trying to use force
against force, strength against strength, I was so tense in the beginning.

The thought of mixing external martial arts with the internal art of tai chi and
baguazhang is counterproductive. How can you mix external with internal
when the principles are so different?

You must become soft and relaxed in body and mind to allow the incoming
force, not hard and blocking your opponent.

Mixing internal with external, there will always be an element of tension,
so you will never be completely soft. You will never truly let go of the old and
embrace the new.

Strength is wrong

If you use strength then your energy will be expelled very quickly.  This is a serious concern if faced with a real life self defence situation.

This is also the case with over-extending, contracting or exaggerating; the attacker has more chance of harming you. 

Even in solo practice, you will be putting a massive amount of strain on your body.

Tai chi and baguazhang should be trained so that it is good for the body and can be practised into old age.

Cultivating internal strength

Cultivation of internal strength is done through training and incorporating neigong.  All training from the beginning teaches us to cultivate internal strength.

We must strengthen our bodies internally so that when we move, each part of us is connected and working together for every movement we make.

Having strength and using strength are completely different.  If you try and force an outcome using strength then you will ultimately tense up, limiting yourself by locking muscles and joints into place.

Through training your strength will always be there while you are relaxing the muscles and allowing the joints to be free and mobile.

The aim is to use minimal effort (strength) to achieve the maximum outcome.  Through continuous training and experience you will find that your use of strength will lessen while the outcome will increase.