Body Movement

Lessons to be learnt on whole body movement – from outside taiji

In taiji (tai chi) we often talk about whole body movement (Level 2 in the different training steps of Tai Ji Quan).

When there is whole body movement, executing martial movements with the least amount of effort and with the maximum of impact can be achieved.

Lets look at an example from outside of taiji.

Movement expert Ido Portal is a proponent of cross discipline ‘culture’ and theory of movement. His study of movement incorporates aspects of martial arts, dance, sport, circus… even nutrition and physiology. He comes from a martial arts background originally and continues to practice many.

Interestingly, well known (you might say notorious) mixed martial artist (MMA) Conor McGregor is known to be one of Ido’s fans, and has trained with him. There are aspects of Ido’s way of movement that those of us practicing taiji will recognise. Some things are different but there will certainly be things to consider and learn from.

In the video below Ido demonstrates a method of movement that will be somewhat familiar – a little not.

He emphasises the importance of training your body strength through movement (this could probably be considered his signature), and to achieve this by “borrowing” strength from the ground. Sound familiar?

On this particular video, Ido does mention the similarities to – and differences from – taiji:

One more thing, this looks similar to Taiji and other traditional martial arts but the common obligation of staying flat footed for better balance and connection is dropped to maximize the leg work via depth and resolve the limitation of hip architecture and body segment proportions.

Many of us will have struggled with achieving certain movements within the rules of taiji – for example, as he mentions in this case, sinking while keeping the feet flat. There are reasons and benefits behind these things, which we learn in class. But when thinking about improving whole body movement we can and should explore what does and doesn’t work for us – and why.

Staying flat footed while spine is vertical and neutral and while going full depth will simply not be possible for 99% of people regardless of body development, hence the choice here.

So think about whole body movement when you train, keep it in mind… enjoy!