Power development in the "Big 3", Tai Ji, Bagua,

[jfraser]

I recently came across the quote below:

“…Famous Xingyiquan master, Guo Yunshen, defined a power development theory that can be used to classify Neijia styles. According to Guo, one should first develop Obvious Power (Ming Jin), then proceed to Hidden Power (An Jin) to achieve the highest level - Neutralizing Power (Hua Jin).
Xingyi practitioners start from Obvious Power, that's why Xingyi can be succesfully used in fighting already after three years of practice. Taiji from the very beginning works on highest level power - Neutralizing Power. Since it is not preceded by Ming Jin and An Jin stages, it is so difficult to find proficient Taiji practitioners who have fighting skills. As the saying goes, "Taiji does not go out for ten years (e.g. only after ten years one is able to use it in fighting)". If Xingyi can be compared to elementary school and Taiji to university, then Bagua is high school . …”

Interview conducted by Jerak Szymanski with Mr. Liu, Jingru, Cheng Bakua expert from Beijing. www.chinafrominside.com/ma/bagua.html

I thought that this quote was most interesting. What do you think

James

[SunTzu]

It's a nice quote, but seems IMHO a bit discriminating because these three styles are equal to each other.

Personally I find (the beginner's level of) Taiji easier to learn than Bagua because of the 'straight' lines instead of circular movement. I cannot speak for the higher levels since I'm not there yet.
My sifu always said that in Bagua, it takes 3 years to learn how to walk, and another 10 years to learn the movements, fighting included.
But I guess the article is right in terms of transmitting Qi and neutralizing an attack though, that it's harder to learn in Taiji (and Bagua IMO) than Xing Yi.

But what do I know, really ...