Your TaiChi Practice: Why is Tai Chi called a ‘soft’ martial art?

Why is Tai Chi called a ‘soft’ martial art?

Why is Tai Chi referred to as a ‘soft’ martial? In order to answer this question, it will be necessary to distinguish between what is meant by hard and soft, or what we will refer to alternatively as external and internal martial arts.

First of all, this distinction has nothing to do with difficulty of technique or practice. Rather, it is a distinction in terms of the source from which power generates and issues. External techniques (hard) refers to power which is either generated by the muscles, or applied directly, or both. For example, a punch based purely upon muscle power is an example of an external technique. Throughout the history of martial arts, however, more effective means of generating power have been developed, means which focus less upon physical power and direct strikes, and more upon internal (or soft) principles and the ability to use alternative energies, including the spirit and mind. The result of this is that all of the major and traditional martial arts are to some extent both externally and internally based.

For example, let’s examine the standard karate punch. Initially, the power generated doesn’t originate solely from the muscles. It depends first of all upon the initial relaxation of the body through the mind, followed by a movement in the hips to produce rotational energy which surges into the arms and finally explodes upon the target. It is only at the last moment, when the strike hits, that muscle tension is applied. According to our definition then, the karate punch is a half-external technique. What about the other half? A calm mind and the ability to properly rotate the hips produces an alternative form of energy, one which is not merely based upon muscle power. Such a directional movement and mental disposition tends to be referred to as soft or internal technique.

Karate is often referred to as a soft-hard martial art, and with the karate punch we see why. More externalized arts include such styles as Thai Kick-boxing, competitive styles of WuShu, Tae Kwon Do, etc. Again, these all contain elements of soft techniques, but in the main they are devoted to hard principles. On the other hand, martial arts such as Aikido, Baguazhang, Xingyiquan, and of course Taijiquan (Tai Chi Chuan), belong to the family of what are called the soft or internal martial art (or Neija). What makes these arts internal is their basis in training the mind and spirit to move the body, utilizing techniques based upon directional energy (rotational, whipping, etc.), as well as principles such as the five element fist, the eight trigram palm, or as in the case of Tai Chi, that of yin and yang. With Tai Chi this means that the primary source of energy is derived not from the muscles nor even from one’s own energy, but rather from the use of the power of one’s opponent, appropriating it and using it effectively against him. This is essentially why Tai Chi is referred to as a ‘soft’ martial art.