| Tai Chi sensitivity or Ting Jing is a very important | | | | other aspects of sensitivity, you will find that |
| tool for the martial artist. This article will discuss | | | | speeding up is very easy. |
| some ways of developing sensitivity. You might | | | | In addition to practicing with a partner to sense |
| want to read the article "Tai Chi Sensitivity: What | | | | what they are doing, you will also need to be able |
| It Is and How It Can Be Used" to learn about the | | | | to sense and control what is going on in you own |
| basic ideas of Tai Chi sensitivity. | | | | body. For one thing, you will need to be able to |
| In general, the best way to develop sensitivity is | | | | achieve a deep level of relaxation. Since this |
| to practice sensing the intentions of opponents | | | | relaxation is being practiced as a part of a martial |
| while also sending out your own intentions. This | | | | art and not, for example, as a part of a sitting |
| can be done through push hands exercises. In | | | | meditation, you will actually need to be able to |
| other aspects of Tai Chi, forms are very | | | | relax while keeping your body structure properly |
| important. However, when developing sensitivity, it | | | | aligned, accomplishing physical goals and moving |
| is important that students avoid set patterns. This | | | | energy in specific ways. In order to be able to |
| way, students will have to learn to sense each | | | | achieve this kind of balance, you will need to have |
| other's intentions rather than simply anticipating | | | | a great deal of mental and physical stamina. |
| the next step in a set of movements. | | | | However, if you develop the ability to be soft and |
| Often students want to rush these exercises, but | | | | relaxed where you need to be, you will much |
| in order to develop real sensitivity, students | | | | more easily be able to overcome opponents. |
| should go very slowly at first. Unless you start | | | | So, there are two basic aspects of developing |
| very slowly, you will not develop the sensitivity | | | | your sensitivity: deep relaxation and following your |
| you will need to be able to perform master level | | | | opponent. However, there are many things you |
| feats. Students should only increase their speed | | | | can learn to sense within your opponent. For |
| when they have absolutely mastered sensitivity | | | | example, follow your opponent, feel inside them |
| so that increasing speed is really the only thing | | | | and feel where the energy wants to go and how |
| they can do to develop their skill. | | | | deeply are they connected. If they are only |
| Instead of moving quickly through these | | | | connected to the level of pushing with their |
| exercises, start by learning to feel or sense with | | | | shoulder then perhaps the rest of their body and |
| your body and mind. Then learn to interpret what | | | | energy is moving away in response to their own |
| you are feeling. Next look for many different | | | | tension. Learn to feel that split in the opponent's |
| ways to respond to an opponent's actions. Talk to | | | | internal intention and where the energy is and is |
| your partner and work through a scenario multiple | | | | not and where it is going and you will begin to see |
| times to find different actions you could take. | | | | where the real training starts. If you go far |
| Think about how you could respond using less | | | | enough with your Tai Chi practice, you can |
| physical effort. Only after you have worked | | | | actually learn to feel the tension or split in an |
| through all these other areas should you consider | | | | opponent's energy without having to make |
| moving faster. If you have really developed all the | | | | physical contact with that opponent. |