There is a
major difference between Tam Qui and other martial arts
schools. The method used in Tam Qui school is not based
on competition. The blows and strikes are delivered to
painful spots by different parts of the body (fingers,
elbows, knees, head) or by improvised weapons (a stick,
a stone, a pen, a bunch of keys, etc.). Besides strikes
and blows, a lot of attention is devoted to throws,
ankle trips and holds.
The movements and strikes of the style are powerful,
efficient and accurate. It takes 1-3 seconds to
disqualify an opponent. This effect is achieved through
proper training strictly according to the methodology.
Tam Qui training is aimed at developing and perfecting
the functional skills of human body. Development of
muscles and increasing physical strength are secondary.
In the processes of training a person becomes healthy
and acquires the ability not to loose self control in
the most unpredictable situations. It is very important
not to fear difficulties and to pay close attention to
the essence of each exercise.
The foundational methods and approaches of Tam Qui are
different form the methods and approaches of other
systems. Tam Qui school emphasizes the importance of
strengthening of will-power and controlling one’s
emotions - the skills crucial in a real combat.
Tao
The Tao
are special complexes of exercises, developing a harmony
of motion in a man. By exercising Tao we lay the core of
self-defense and achieve the ability to stay calm in any
situation. The principle of studying Tam Qui through Tao
is in the following: by exercising a Tao over and over
again, thousands and thousands of times, the Tam Qui
practitioner gets his body accustomed to the motions of
a specific nature, moving those very motions to the
level of the unconscious. Thus, being forced into a real
combat situation, the body operates “on its own”, in a
kind of autonomy, based on the reflexes, embedded into
it by the repetitive Tao practices. The Tao also have a
meditative effect.
“Circular Tao”
This Tao is different from other Tao, because it’s
exercised in a cycle. Once started, this Tao cycle can
last eternally long without a stop. This feature of the
Tao has an extremely positive influence on a
psychophysical state of the practitioner; it’s possible
to set a certain rhythm and keep it under control for as
long as needed. The Circular Tao symbolizes the eternal
motion of the Universe. Our lack of self-development is
the one and only obstacle on the way to a harmonic,
tranquil and at the same time potent Tao motion. The
exercise is based on a sequence of “openings” and
“closing” with various different positions of the arms.
Besides the healing effect, the Tao has a combat aspect
too. The blows in the Tam Qui technique are not limited
to the fist blows; all parts of the palm are used for
striking. The movements are flexible, moving smoothly
from one position to another. Through this, a great
speed and strength of each movement is achieved. The
body gradually becomes flexible and controllable; this
allows landing mighty blows from a short distance.
Tao
“Stone”
In the Tao “Stone” the palm becomes a fist. This is the
most harsh and brutal technique. The blows are being
landed with every part of the fist. This technique
reminds of a stone with a rope attached. Knees and
elbows are also used for striking in this Tao. Studying
the techniques starts with this form.
Tao
“Tiger”
The way of executing this Tao lays in its very name. The
tiger is a powerful, gracious beast. The practitioner of
this Tao must entirely identify him/herself as this
beast. The tiger’s habits enlist a huge variety of
grabs, slaps, strikes with both paw and head. The tiger
can turn hidden and prepared, as a compressed spring,
and then rush upon the enemy. To master this Tao, one
must learn the tiger’s habits. In Tam Qui technique
there are several “Tiger” Tao’s.
Tao
“Ribbon”
By ribbon here we mean a light ribbon of silk. Tao
“Ribbon” is an advanced level Tao, because it requires
considerable concentration, accuracy and flexibility
from a practitioner. This Tao has movements reminding
bends of a ribbon fluttering downwind. When the entire
body of a practitioner, including hands, legs and trunk
merges together, passing streams of Khi through itself,
the Tao “Ribbon” is considered mastered. Mastering the
Tao “Ribbon” and learning its deep inner meaning is only
possible under a master’s guidance.
