I ‘m sure every Yang style practitioner would say “yes” to the above question. But I categorically say “no.” Not in the case of the tiger style.
I believed I was doing a “soft” and “internal” style when I practiced and taught the Yang tiger style. But in truth, I was using external force from my legs and hips to create movement while using my upper limbs as effortlessly as possible in an attempt to be soft. However, in push hands, I would ultimately default to arm strength in order to defend myself.
Today, when I ask tai chi students for a clear explanation of the terms “soft” and “internal,” I usually get a quizzical look as if the question was rhetorical. This is because they accept this common answer: “internal” means that chi flows through their bodies and condenses into a powerful force, and “soft” refers to the use of this “chi” force to overcome brute force. Both are nice concepts but both lack any concrete methodology to explain their application in practical terms. Let me tell you what the Yang family actually meant by the terms internal and soft:
Internal – the use of internal muscles (core strength) to unify the lower body with the upper body creating a powerful “bow string” posture that is rooted at the foot and connected through the spine to the top of the head. This internal connection of muscle, tendon and fascia is flexed “like a muscle” by the action of “hollows the chest to raises the back.” This action creates a muscular suction at the bottom of the foot; a strong pulling in of the abdominal muscles below the naval; and an arching of the thoracic spine. This bio-mechanical movement brings chi from the ground through the Dan Tien to the upper spine where it is released to the hands.
Soft – This term refers to the relaxation of the bigger, external muscles to allow the internal muscles to work more efficiently. This harmony of big muscles relaxation and small muscle activation creates the “endorphin effect” that makes tai chi such a pleasure to practice! It is true interaction of Yin and Yang. Soft also refers to the removal of all muscular force around the shoulder and elbow joints so that energy stored in the back can flow to the hands.