Bossman, although I've nowhere near your experience, I've found that somehow I can often do as much as the young-pups through energy conservation. Was doing TKD a few months back and found I could run as much (although I'm hellishly unfit these days) throgh using different body mechanisms and softer techniques (as in internal).

Exactly trevek - it's all about optimum use of the body.

my main question is, why did it take me so long, and a knackered back, to learn about it?

The thing about injuries is that it forces you to find the optimum way to use your body because you can no longer use it the way you would "normally" use it. IOW, you compensate due to injury... sometimes in better ways, but usually not.

The trick is learning how to use it optimally, without having an injury to tell you that you're not moving optimally.

Hi Jude

I spend a long time teaching people how to stand, then walk and then run so that they are practicing the 'internal' side of the MA 24/7. It would take an article to begin to describe it - but as I'm due to write one this w/e - you've chosen my subject for me - so I'll post it here as soon as it's written.

While I think of it - a funny story. My wife arranged a meal at the home of one of her friends a few years ago whose partner was a 3rd Dan kickboxer in his early twenties. When we arrived this guy was literally fizzing with fitness and his martial art. During the meal he said to me "let's face it, tai chi is alright but if I really went for you - it wouldn't work would it?"

I let that and the following jibes pass - I had come out to have a meal and a pleasant time, but he wouldn't let go. So as we got up from the meal I looked at him, he was strong and muscular but had no inner body awareness, his head wasn't aligned properly, his chest was 'puffed out' disconnecting upper and lower body, his bodyweight was in his joints as opposed to the muscles and tendons and his weight was on his heels.

So I said "okay - go for it".

He said "what?"

I said "do it - do whatever you would do do to 'go fo me'"

He was suprised which made him a little unsure and then as he went to move I stuck my index finger on his chest so that he couldn't get his weight into his feet to move forward. He hovered, but couldn't get his balance, suddenly a grin spread over his face and he said "I can't move".

"I said "that's how tai chi works"...

I just remembered that reading this thread... I've still to write the article but just knowing how stand and walk is vital in tai chi, as a kickboxer he only thought in terms of fighting stance, guard and then fitness etc...

Thanks for the funny story Bossman... the problem is people won't believe until they feel it. When they cannot move their feet, transfer weight, generate power or move to hit you, and they don't know how you've robbed them of their power, it is both enlightening and humbling at the same time (for them).

Looking forward to your article.

Jude, to be honest, I don't know. Over the last few years I've also done things like traditional Polish dancing where I had to retrain my body, as the TKD body I had interfered with the dancing (I would spring to high in polkas and lose the beat!).

I think it has something to do with lowering my centre of balance. I have also unconsciously changed my running technique in that I no longer take the long strides which I used to, I take smaller, more rapid steps but more generated from the waist (I think). Funnily enough, I noticed when running with some Chinese actors that this was the kind of thing they did (in contrast to my 'western' striding run).

Don't know if this helps answer the question.