Peace

Principle: Spiral Power

Nothing in the human body is a straight line. Chen emphasizes that straight lines are abstractions by introducing spiral energy. To illustrate this concept, Sifu Chen used the example of a shaggy dog shaking its body to get the water out of its coat. When the dog comes out of the water, it shivers back and forth to expel the water from its fur. He would say, "this is spiral power."

Chen's Taiji uses several natural examples of spiral power, such as a silkworm spinning its cocoon. It also elaborately connects breathing patterns and Ji's movements. However, the most direct approach to understanding elastic recoil and spiral power is based on stabilization. The dog's shiver was "grounded" as the loose connective tissue went back and forth.

The same is true in Chen's. When delivering power to an opponent, the force of the blow does not follow straight lines. It uses interconnected linkages at the joints to capture the loose tissue in its vicinity in a "spinning" motion. With stabilization, the spin begins at the toe, foot, leg, waist, and torso and moves to any point of contact where it is to be issued.

In learning this power phase, Sifu recommended considering it a "sneeze."