Advanced T'ai Chi (3) "Train" Self Defense

(image credit)

The T'ai Chi Ch'uan Classics say, In self defense, use your opponent's force and energy against him.  Stepping out of his line of attack may be all you need to defend yourself.  But it may be necessary to deflect his onrushing punch with a circular arm movement, then push him to the ground in the same direction as his attack. 

Better yet, however, if you can come on board his "train" and make friends with him, then why not?  For example, much as I argued in meetings with a former colleague of mine, he and I always enjoy a nice lunch conversation together.  He'd get emotional, even critical in some meetings, and felt compelled at times to defend whomever was in his radar.  But we never took each other's rebuffs personally.  We literally absorbed each other's offense and defense, and kept more or less positive chi with one another.

This is T'ai Chi self defense at its best, where you and your opponent manage not only to sidestep a fight, but also to join energies together.