Intro to tai chi Episode 15: Centripetal Geodesic

“Understanding the centripetal geodesic is what allows us to:

• use core power, 
• use whole body power
• reduce our dependence on local muscle strength
• reduces or eliminates the use of class three levers. 
• enables class 1 and 2 levers, wedges, wheels, Galilean cannons, and other simple machines. 
• enables us to remain agile, balanced, flexible, and adaptable, even as we engage the opponent’s attack. 
• reduces the chance of falling and decreases the chance of injury if we do fall. 

But while building and reinforcing the structure that shapes the centripetal geodesic is an important part of most martial arts, higher level skill involves softening and narrowing that structure, refining the alignment and making the arc more and more adaptable, so it can shorten, length, move and instantly reposition itself without the need for vector translation. 

One part of martial art training is strengthening the core muscles, and strengthening the connection of the extremities to the core. But there are differences in how it can be used. If applying this power requires the muscles to be tense, then this is not a good thing. Tension makes it more difficult to avoid the “class-three-lever syndrome“. More importantly, the use of muscular strength increases the number of paths that force can take through your body. It makes it possible for the opponent to manipulate you in many different directions. 

True internal power minimizes the number of ways in which the opponent can manipulate you. Ideally, you will choose the options that you want the opponent to have, and you can change those in a way that allows you to remain relaxed, balanced, and agile. 

…..

You can use the centripetal geodesic to manipulate frames of reference. The opponent tries to push in one direction, and ends up pushing in another. They might start out focusing on you nose as a target, and end up focusing on emptiness. 

“