Tai Chi Chuan
cyberclay
I just thought I'd share something with the rest of the group. . . I took
my first Tai Chi lesson last night (at a local community college). I'd
highly recommend this to anyone who isn't already doing it.
Regards,
cyberclay
---
cclay at fastlane dot net
http://www.abednego.com
JayBuzin
>Hey,
> I just thought I'd share something with the rest of the group. . . I took
>my first Tai Chi lesson last night (at a local community college). I'd
>highly recommend this to anyone who isn't already doing it.
I once heard of somebody
who danced with Moose.
-what was natasha's
last name? eye forgets
{;-])))
gentle peace
-r.j. squirrel esq.
bookburn
cyberclay <cc...@abednego.com> wrote in message
news:717905C3B31E649F.57586DBADE4C51A9.FFC9E8A64C027ED4@library-p
roxy.airnews.net...
> Hey,
> I just thought I'd share something with the rest of the
group. . . I took
> my first Tai Chi lesson last night (at a local community
college). I'd
> highly recommend this to anyone who isn't already doing it.
>
> cyberclay
Yes, if there are people out there who wonder about Taoism and
how to get involved, the "moving meditation" of Tai Chi is a
portal to much more. If you just try the introduction involved
with basic posture, you are likely to get a special feeling about
what you are coming in contact with. And because you go slowly
and comefortably, requires little space and no extra props, it's
something everyone can do. Personally, I exercize alone rather
than with a sifu or group, because I'm not interested in
imitating another's style.
Regards, bookburn.
Josh
-Josh
cyberclay <cc...@abednego.com> wrote:
> Hey,
> I just thought I'd share something with the rest of the group. . . I took
> my first Tai Chi lesson last night (at a local community college). I'd
> highly recommend this to anyone who isn't already doing it.
> Regards,
> cyberclay
Dirk Bruere
>
> Hey,
> I just thought I'd share something with the rest of the group. . . I took
> my first Tai Chi lesson last night (at a local community college). I'd
> highly recommend this to anyone who isn't already doing it.
It's those jumping spinning kicks that I could never quite master.
Dirk
Dirk Bruere
>
> Tai Chi is definatly something I would recommend, however I would also recommend finding a Chi Kung Master in your area and taking classes from them. The animal techniques are definatly worth your time =)
>
taught as a martial art rather than as an exercise. It's quite an
eye-opener.
One reason I don't do it is that there are too many killing and maiming
techniques in the forms for my Buddhist tastes.
(BTW, I teach Shorinji Kempo)
Dirk
kha...@spamoff.hotmail.com
>Hey,
> I just thought I'd share something with the rest of the group. . . I took
>my first Tai Chi lesson last night (at a local community college). I'd
>highly recommend this to anyone who isn't already doing it.
>
>Regards,
> cyberclay
>---
>cclay at fastlane dot net
>http://www.abednego.com
I hope your lessons will include tuishou as well at a later date as
you just started.
If it does not, I think your instructor does not know anything about
taijichuan and you are wasting your time.
If the tuishou that is being done in the group looks like wrestling
with a lot of huffing and puffing, get out of there too.
If the tuishou looks like if it is 'fixed' and your instructor pushes
away students without any effort at all (and you as well) , stick on
to him like a leech as you are in the presence of a true Master. You
will learn more than you bargained for.
With warm regards
The Idiotic Taoist
JayBuzin
>It's those jumping spinning kicks that I could never quite master.
eye herd
that rick Once taught Billy Jack
-jest a rumour
Jess Carey
bookburn wrote:
>
> cyberclay <cc...@abednego.com> wrote in message
> news:717905C3B31E649F.57586DBADE4C51A9.FFC9E8A64C027ED4@library-p
> roxy.airnews.net...
> > Hey,
> > I just thought I'd share something with the rest of the
> group. . . I took
> > my first Tai Chi lesson last night (at a local community
> college). I'd
> > highly recommend this to anyone who isn't already doing it.
> >
> > Regards,
> > cyberclay
>
> Yes, if there are people out there who wonder about Taoism and
> how to get involved, the "moving meditation" of Tai Chi is a
> portal to much more. If you just try the introduction involved
> with basic posture, you are likely to get a special feeling about
> what you are coming in contact with. And because you go slowly
> and comefortably, requires little space and no extra props, it's
> something everyone can do. Personally, I exercize alone rather
> than with a sifu or group, because I'm not interested in
> imitating another's style.
>
I'm interested in Taoism, divinity and martial arts. Via research into
these three things I've learned that T'ai chi, Taoism and the I Ching
are related. Are there any other books and/or disciplines that are
related to Taoism?
Jess Carey
cyberclay wrote:
>
> Hey,
> I just thought I'd share something with the rest of the group. . . I took
> my first Tai Chi lesson last night (at a local community college). I'd
> highly recommend this to anyone who isn't already doing it.
>
I've been looking into this and have come to the conclusion that a video
would be best for me, but I'm not sure which one would be best. Can
anyone suggest any?
Jess Carey
Josh wrote:
>
> Tai Chi is definatly something I would recommend, however I would also recommend finding a Chi Kung Master in your area and taking classes from them. The animal techniques are definatly worth your time =)
And how would one go about finding a Chi Kung master?
Jess Carey
Dirk Bruere wrote:
>
> Josh wrote:
> >
> > Tai Chi is definatly something I would recommend, however I would also recommend finding a Chi Kung Master in your area and taking classes from them. The animal techniques are definatly worth your time =)
> >
> Also on a more serious note, it is much better to learn Tai Chi that is
> taught as a martial art rather than as an exercise. It's quite an
> eye-opener.
This breeds a whole new line of questions. How would one identify a
martial art type class, as opposed to an exercise class? I've only
found one martial arts dojo that teaches Tai Chi and I felt, from
watching it, that it was more of an exercise class. It appears that
videos are also marketed as exercise for health as opposed to a martial
art.
kha...@spamoff.hotmail.com
My advice to you is that you find a competent Master.
Trying to learn taijichuan from video is not a good way to begin.
Dirk Bruere
>
> I hope your lessons will include tuishou as well at a later date as
> you just started.
tuishou = pushing hands?
Dirk
Dirk Bruere
>
> > Also on a more serious note, it is much better to learn Tai Chi that is
> > taught as a martial art rather than as an exercise. It's quite an
> > eye-opener.
> This breeds a whole new line of questions. How would one identify a
> martial art type class, as opposed to an exercise class? I've only
My test is fairly simple.
If the teacher shows its combat application, then it's a martial arts
form. If the teacher does not even know this much, then there is a good
chance that the form has deviated from it's pragmatic base for arbitrary
reasons or carelessness.
For example (I don't know the Chinese name...), that rolling hand motion
followed by the right hand being extended palm up, fingers pointed
forward. That's breaking a grip followed by a killing strike to the
opponents throat. Another mark of it being taught as a martial art is
practicing these movements with a partner.
Dirk
OneOf10K
>Jess Carey wrote:
>>
>> > Also on a more serious note, it is much better to learn Tai Chi that is
>> > taught as a martial art rather than as an exercise. It's quite an
>> > eye-opener.
>
>> This breeds a whole new line of questions. How would one identify a
>> martial art type class, as opposed to an exercise class? I've only
>
>My test is fairly simple.
>If the teacher shows its combat application, then it's a martial arts
>form. If the teacher does not even know this much, then there is a good
>chance that the form has deviated from it's pragmatic base for arbitrary
>reasons or carelessness.
Not sure if I should jump in here, as I've only been taking a tai ch'i class
for 4 weeks now...but I won't let that stop me ;)
My teacher has been into it for about 7 years and originally got into it for
health reasons--his back was in bad shape and he wanted to limber it up in a
non-stressful way.
The way he teaches it is for exercise, yet he does explain how the moves can be
used for self-defense and attack.
Tai ch'i, from my limited knowledge, is considered a soft martial
art--redirecting the opponent's strength and looking for an opportunity to
throw them off
rgds,
Lisa
JERRYBURKH
cyberclay wrote:
>
> Hey,
> I just thought I'd share something with the rest of the group. . . I took
> my first Tai Chi lesson last night (at a local community college). I'd
> highly recommend this to anyone who isn't already doing it.
>
I've been looking into this and have come to the conclusion that a video
would be best for me, but I'm not sure which one would be best. Can
anyone suggest any?
Yang Style Short Form.
Email me for info of a few internet suppliers of tapes.
Something to remember.. The benefit comes from practice. A lot of students &
teachers get caught up in the correctness thing. The moves are done 2 zillion
ways by 2 zillion different teachers... so you tell me... and each swears
theirs is the best. Just do it... with or without a teacher but i suggest the
best teacher available then leave after a while & practice alone. The benefit
comes from doing it.
If you can get past the correctness thing tai chi can be a way to experience
tao. A dance of moving meditation. Something most instructors know nothing
about.
If you are looking for martial do kung foo with the tai chi. They are very
similar. They complement each other well.
Push Hands is great if you can find a good teacher. Not many around.
My advise.. just do it.
Jess Carey
kha...@spamoff.hotmail.com wrote:
>
> Jess Carey <fre...@worldnet.att.net> wrote:
>
> >
> >
> >cyberclay wrote:
> >>
> >> Hey,
> >> I just thought I'd share something with the rest of the group. . . I took
> >> my first Tai Chi lesson last night (at a local community college). I'd
> >> highly recommend this to anyone who isn't already doing it.
> >>
> >I've been looking into this and have come to the conclusion that a video
> >would be best for me, but I'm not sure which one would be best. Can
> >anyone suggest any?
>
> My advice to you is that you find a competent Master.
>
> Trying to learn taijichuan from video is not a good way to begin.
But a competent Master is not readily availible.
Dirk Bruere
>
> The way he teaches it is for exercise, yet he does explain how the moves can be
> used for self-defense and attack.
As long as the teacher knows what each part of the form is for, then it
is less likely to be arbitrarily corrupted through ignorance.
> Tai ch'i, from my limited knowledge, is considered a soft martial
> art--redirecting the opponent's strength and looking for an opportunity to
> throw them off
Hard - straight lines, power
Soft - circles, agility
From a self defence POV it takes about 3 yrs to be good via hard styles,
and about 15 in soft.
Dirk
Dirk Bruere
>
> > My advice to you is that you find a competent Master.
> > Trying to learn taijichuan from video is not a good way to begin.
> But a competent Master is not readily availible.
What about incompetent ones?
Videos are good for broad brush strokes for beginners, and as an aid to
memory. However, as the saying goes, 'the devil is in the details'. You
can't ask a video questions, and it won't tell you what you are doing
wrong.
Dirk
Jess Carey
Dirk Bruere wrote:
>
> Jess Carey wrote:
> >
> > > Also on a more serious note, it is much better to learn Tai Chi that is
> > > taught as a martial art rather than as an exercise. It's quite an
> > > eye-opener.
>
> > This breeds a whole new line of questions. How would one identify a
> > martial art type class, as opposed to an exercise class? I've only
>
> My test is fairly simple.
> If the teacher shows its combat application, then it's a martial arts
> form. If the teacher does not even know this much, then there is a good
> chance that the form has deviated from it's pragmatic base for arbitrary
> reasons or carelessness.
>
> For example (I don't know the Chinese name...), that rolling hand motion
> followed by the right hand being extended palm up, fingers pointed
> forward. That's breaking a grip followed by a killing strike to the
> opponents throat. Another mark of it being taught as a martial art is
> practicing these movements with a partner.
>
Would the teacher be inclined to demonstrate combative techniques early
on in class, considering that Tai Chi is supposed to take the longest
time to master in this way? I mean, supposedly I could apply aikido in
a self-defense situation in three months, but it takes about a year to
do the same with Tai Chi. The instructor I'm thinking about also
teaches Hapkido, and in that class he emphasizes combative techniques.
But I din't see any sign of combat in his Tai Chi class, just breathing
and posture. Actually, my biggest problems with his class in that it
only meets for an hour a week and I don't care much for the ambiance of
the class. It makes me think want to move vigorously like in aerobics.
It works for his hapkido class, but I thinking not for Tai Chi.
On the other hand, I checked in on a Kung Fu class in which the
instructor does conduct class in a more mediative way. Great emphasize
on breathing and mediatation. I think he incorporates other martial
arts into his class, like Tai Chi and Aikodo. So I'm thinking that I
might get more out of this class than the Tai Chi class.
Jess Carey
Dirk Bruere wrote:
>
> Jess Carey wrote:
> >
True. So, goes the gamble of life.
OneOf10K
>OneOf10K wrote:
>> Tai ch'i, from my limited knowledge, is considered a soft martial
>> art--redirecting the opponent's strength and looking for an opportunity to
>> throw them off
>
>Hard - straight lines, power
>Soft - circles, agility
>
>From a self defence POV it takes about 3 yrs to be good via hard styles,
>and about 15 in soft.
One thing I've noticed when comparing hard-style karate with tai ch'i is that
there is a much greater emphasis on the upper body with the karate, and a much
greater emphasis on the lower body with the tai ch'i. With karate, you make
sure you're balanced with the legs, but the tai ch'i it is more like being
anchored in place while the ch'i gets moving. My teacher describes it as
pulling ch'i from the lower body (the dan tien, specifically) and having it
shoot out through the hands and the top of the head.
rgds,
Lisa
WivFam
>kha...@spamoff.hotmail.com wrote:
>>
>> Jess Carey <fre...@worldnet.att.net> wrote:
>>
>> >
>> >
>> >cyberclay wrote:
>> >>
>> >> Hey,
>> >> I just thought I'd share something with the rest of the group. . . I
>took
>> >> my first Tai Chi lesson last night (at a local community college). I'd
>> >> highly recommend this to anyone who isn't already doing it.
>> >>
>> >I've been looking into this and have come to the conclusion that a video
>> >would be best for me, but I'm not sure which one would be best. Can
>> >anyone suggest any?
>>
>>
>> Trying to learn taijichuan from video is not a good way to begin.
>
>But a competent Master is not readily availible.
In this case, I would recommend that you take a look at the tai chi classics,
as they introduce the basics: the foundations of tai chi. Sometimes a small
principle can go a long way, and can be applied to everything. For instance, if
you keep your head suspended as if from a string, and keep your spine straight,
and allow your chest and guts to fall with your shoulders and arms bowed. This
can be applied to everything in tai chi. If you do tai chi without these
principles, you can practice for 30 years and get little from it. Move from
your center. Don't put all your weight on the front of your knees. Allow the
weight to go directly from your hips through your knees to the arch of your
feet. The knees transfer weight and don't bear it. Never twist your knees.
Movement begins at the feet, and is governed by the waist. Don't think too
much. It's not a brainal excercise. "Strive" to do things the easiest way. It
it's the easiest, you can bet that it's the best way. Practice the principles.
The motions don't much matter. They'll fall into place once you can follow the
principles effortlessly. If you look like you're dancing the funky chicken on
the outside, but inside you're making major progress, you're better off than a
person who outside looks good, but inside has no awareness. Work on one
principle at a time. When you work on the second principle, the two together
will eventually become one and so on, so that eventually all the principles
become one thing that you do when you do tai chi.
-Dave (Wiv...@aol.com)
Dirk Bruere
>
> > For example (I don't know the Chinese name...), that rolling hand motion
> > followed by the right hand being extended palm up, fingers pointed
> > forward. That's breaking a grip followed by a killing strike to the
> > opponents throat. Another mark of it being taught as a martial art is
> > practicing these movements with a partner.
> Would the teacher be inclined to demonstrate combative techniques early
> on in class, considering that Tai Chi is supposed to take the longest
In two styles I studied briefly, the answer was yes. The theory was that
if the students knew what each movement was for they could see it was
not arbirtrary, and hence could learn the forms more easily.
> time to master in this way? I mean, supposedly I could apply aikido in
> a self-defense situation in three months, but it takes about a year to
To use Aikido in self defence effectively you would need closer to 10
yrs. Tai Chi longer possibly.
> do the same with Tai Chi. The instructor I'm thinking about also
> teaches Hapkido, and in that class he emphasizes combative techniques.
In that case he will be very familiar with Tai Chi application.
> But I din't see any sign of combat in his Tai Chi class, just breathing
> and posture. Actually, my biggest problems with his class in that it
> only meets for an hour a week and I don't care much for the ambiance of
> the class. It makes me think want to move vigorously like in aerobics.
> It works for his hapkido class, but I thinking not for Tai Chi.
I find students are far too fussy about their surroundings. You go to
class to learn a little and have your form corrected. The real practice
should always be outside class, whether it is forms or stamina training
for harder styles.
Nothing and nobody is perfect.
Beginners do not need to learn from a master. Mostly the finer points
that make someone a master pass by the beginner or intermediate student
entirely.
> On the other hand, I checked in on a Kung Fu class in which the
> instructor does conduct class in a more mediative way. Great emphasize
> on breathing and mediatation. I think he incorporates other martial
> arts into his class, like Tai Chi and Aikodo. So I'm thinking that I
> might get more out of this class than the Tai Chi class.
Try them all for a couple of months.
However, you really test a style you need something of the order of 300+
hrs practice. About the same as 'testing' a musical instrument.
Dirk
JayBuzin
[...]
>My teacher describes it as
>pulling ch'i from the lower body (the dan tien, specifically) and having it
>shoot out through the hands and the top of the head.
eye shot off my mouth once.
well, at least once
{:- )))
kha...@spamoff.hotmail.com
>Jess Carey wrote:
>>
>> > Also on a more serious note, it is much better to learn Tai Chi that is
>> > taught as a martial art rather than as an exercise. It's quite an
>> > eye-opener.
>
>> This breeds a whole new line of questions. How would one identify a
>> martial art type class, as opposed to an exercise class? I've only
>
>My test is fairly simple.
>If the teacher shows its combat application, then it's a martial arts
>form. If the teacher does not even know this much, then there is a good
>chance that the form has deviated from it's pragmatic base for arbitrary
>reasons or carelessness.
>
It goes a bit more than that.
Now even if you have no inclination to fight with anyone and prefer to
turn both cheeks to follow that path, you will only learn the real
taijichuan if your instructor really knows what it is about. All
others are just slowly moving and waving arms and legs and talking
about chi that they know nothing about but the sound that they make
with their mouths. You short change yourself and your time if you
should be under such 'masters'.
They will proclaim that their taiji is for 'health'. You will remain
healthy without any taijichuan if you just wake up early in the
morning and go for a slow walk and look and smell the flowers with
occasional slow stretching and waving of your arms.
You will even find people with no skills in taijichuan and yet 'show'
you its combat applications. Many of the applications will be obvious
to anyone with some degree of martial arts training. It does not mean
that because such people who can show combat applications that
therefore that they do know taijichuan.
True taijichuan Masters are rare. You will not believe half of what I
can tell you about them. Their impact is even more powerful if you
have been trained many years in martial arts as you then have the
background to appreciate their skills even though you cannot believe
in what they have done to you, not to talk about hearing it from third
parties. Try checking them out if they are in your part of town to do
any seminars. A one-time on hands experience with them will be such
an eye opener that may be your very key to unlock what is taijichuan
and what is Tao.
I suggest if you have the time, go to Dejanews and check my intro
letter which touches on taijichuan and my experiences.
Taijichuan is one of the most complex system of manifested
'heart-mind' in play. Moving slowly with kindly thoughts of love IS
NOT taijichuan although many instructors who know nothing wants you to
think that that is so. They practice a parody of taijichuan and want
you to be as equally deluded.
Even if you have no interests in combat, the combat function is a
vital yardstick that you are indeed doing the taijichuan as it is
intended. Vital aspects like 'sung yeow juo kuang' (loosen waist
sitting your trunk) will be unknown mumble jumble unless you do
tuishou(push hands) to know what is correct and what is your own wild
interpretations.
How to be 'sung' (relaxed) is more than just posturing bearing in mind
'sung' must start and end with your 'heart-mind'.
Without that combat element, you can practice away and think you have
all kinds of chi running up and down when what you have is only a
healthy imagination of what you think is chi.
Such elements cannot be gleamed from books or videos for any
beginners. If you have a good foundation, then books and videos from
noted Masters will be useful, but not before then where they will be
distorted by your own wild imaginations.
I think it is far better to refrain from a d-i-y taijichuan course if
you cannot find any competent taijichuan master in your area who can
teach you.
>For example (I don't know the Chinese name...), that rolling hand motion
>followed by the right hand being extended palm up, fingers pointed
>forward. That's breaking a grip followed by a killing strike to the
>opponents throat. Another mark of it being taught as a martial art is
>practicing these movements with a partner.
>
I am unable to tell from your description what movement you are
referring to. What I can tell you is that even the most innocent
movement, the very first movement itself (the raising and falling of
the arm), is to snap your opponent neck. I had whiplash injuries when
that was applied 'gently' to me.
There is another movement which twist the opponent body around the
spine followed by snapping the spine at the waist.
>
>Dirk
The Idiotic Taoist
kha...@spamoff.hotmail.com
>OneOf10K wrote:
>>
>
>> The way he teaches it is for exercise, yet he does explain how the moves can be
>> used for self-defense and attack.
>
>As long as the teacher knows what each part of the form is for, then it
>is less likely to be arbitrarily corrupted through ignorance.
The teacher may well misinterpret that form by using the context of
his earlier training in 'hard' martial arts. So despite his 'knowing'
of what that part is for, his knowing is wrong. What is worse is that
he will 'edit' out what he thinks is superficial thus indeed throwing
out the baby and keeping the bath water.
The sophistication of the movements in taijichuan is breathtaking. I
had an earlier background of hard ma which prevent me so long from
seeing what I must see instead of just seeing what I want to see.
>
>> Tai ch'i, from my limited knowledge, is considered a soft martial
>> art--redirecting the opponent's strength and looking for an opportunity to
>> throw them off
>
Quite wrong. Taiji is nothing like judo in using opponents strength.
Neither does taijichuan uses strength to oppose strength. It taps
on power beyond my understanding or ability to explain here.
>Hard - straight lines, power
>Soft - circles, agility
>
>From a self defence POV it takes about 3 yrs to be good via hard styles,
>and about 15 in soft.
>
If you do not have a Master teaching you taijichuan and you do not
have the dedication to spend at least an hour everyday at it, you can
train for fifty years and be nothing.
That 15 years is a myth promoted by unskilled taijichuan 'teachers'
who know little on taijichuan.
kha...@spamoff.hotmail.com
Yes. That is a misnomer as it goes well beyond just pushing of hands.
I have seen too many tuishou which are nothing but uneducated
amateurish wrestling. That ignores entirely the real purpose of
tuishou which is sensitivity training of a very high order
substituting instead a 'I wanna win you and show how strong I am'
mind-set.
kha...@spamoff.hotmail.com
>Jess Carey wrote:
>>
>> > My advice to you is that you find a competent Master.
>> > Trying to learn taijichuan from video is not a good way to begin.
>
>> But a competent Master is not readily availible.
>
>What about incompetent ones?
Avoid them like the plague. They waste your time entirely
and teach you things that must be unlearned.
>Videos are good for broad brush strokes for beginners, and as an aid to
>memory. However, as the saying goes, 'the devil is in the details'. You
>can't ask a video questions, and it won't tell you what you are doing
>wrong.
>
>Dirk
The details are important. You cannot even start to ask any
meaningful questions at the beginning.
I repeat. Videos and books are bad for beginners. If you have a good
grounding in taijichuan, then and only then, will video and books from
a good Master will be of use to you.
With warm regards
The Taoistic Idiot
kha...@spamoff.hotmail.com
>
>
>kha...@spamoff.hotmail.com wrote:
>>
>> Jess Carey <fre...@worldnet.att.net> wrote:
>>
>> >
>> >
>> >cyberclay wrote:
>> >>
>> >> Hey,
>> >> I just thought I'd share something with the rest of the group. . . I took
>> >> my first Tai Chi lesson last night (at a local community college). I'd
>> >> highly recommend this to anyone who isn't already doing it.
>> >>
>> >I've been looking into this and have come to the conclusion that a video
>> >would be best for me, but I'm not sure which one would be best. Can
>> >anyone suggest any?
>>
>> My advice to you is that you find a competent Master.
>>
>> Trying to learn taijichuan from video is not a good way to begin.
>
>But a competent Master is not readily availible.
Make the effort to find one.
Let your training start from there and not before.
Dirk Bruere
>
> >From a self defence POV it takes about 3 yrs to be good via hard styles,
> >and about 15 in soft.
> That 15 years is a myth promoted by unskilled taijichuan 'teachers'
> who know little on taijichuan.
No. It comes from the fact that I teach a martial art that has both hard
and soft elements. Although the 15 yrs is a bit of a round number, using
soft technique against a fighting mad aggressor does take vastly more
skill than kicking him in the stomach or punching his teeth out.
Dirk
Dirk Bruere
>
> >For example (I don't know the Chinese name...), that rolling hand motion
> >followed by the right hand being extended palm up, fingers pointed
> >forward. That's breaking a grip followed by a killing strike to the
> >opponents throat. Another mark of it being taught as a martial art is
> >practicing these movements with a partner.
> I am unable to tell from your description what movement you are
> referring to. What I can tell you is that even the most innocent
> movement, the very first movement itself (the raising and falling of
> the arm), is to snap your opponent neck. I had whiplash injuries when
> that was applied 'gently' to me.
>
> There is another movement which twist the opponent body around the
> spine followed by snapping the spine at the waist.
I wanted to try Tai Chi because I thought it would be so different from
the art I teach that there would be no 'cross contamination'. What I
found was that exactly the same techniques existed, but done in a
radically different way.
The biggest surprise was that 'new age lovey-dovey tai chi' contained
more killing and maiming techniques than any martial art I have ever
come across.
Dirk
JERRYBURKH
Dirk
Hi Dirk, Chen or Wu style? :-)
WivFam
>One thing I've noticed when comparing hard-style karate with tai ch'i is that
>there is a much greater emphasis on the upper body with the karate, and a
>much
>greater emphasis on the lower body with the tai ch'i. With karate, you make
>sure you're balanced with the legs, but the tai ch'i it is more like being
>pulling ch'i from the lower body (the dan tien, specifically) and having it
>shoot out through the hands and the top of the head.
>
>Lisa
>
Finally a tai chi posting which resonates somewhat with me. I think of it kind
of as a wave which initiates at the feet, gains it's direction from the waist,
and kind of squishes its way through the viscera, down the arm and eventually
out through the fingers, but as to whether the energy comes only from the
earth, I cannot be sure. It seems there's some heavenly energy too. As to
whether the heavenly energy comes only from above, I cannot be sure. The
resolution is not there. That's why I practice principles and don't worry about
such things much, trusting that if I quiet my mind and keep my alignments
correct, they'll eventually fall into place. Keep your mind in your lower
dantien. Have a passive awareness there. That's the only way you'll be able to
stay down there anyway. Sometimes your awareness may seem to have no form that
you can determine. This is the only way to access the energies of heaven and
earth. If you have an agenda, you'll get nothing but your own crazy chi.
-Dave (Wiv...@aol.com)
Dirk Bruere
>
> The biggest surprise was that 'new age lovey-dovey tai chi' contained
> more killing and maiming techniques than any martial art I have ever
> come across.
Lee style.
However, I have little knowledge of Chinese systems so I couldn't tell
you its lineage or status.
Dirk
kha...@spamoff.hotmail.com
You mentioned in your earlier letter that you do (and now I know you
teach as well) shorin ryu kempo.
I used to do shaolin in the past. I do like to think that is the same
martial arts that you do as shorin is Japanese phonetics for shaolin
and the characters are written the same way.
I was learning it from a disciple of Sek Koh Sum, the head abbot of
Suan Lin temple in Singapore. Sek was a martial monk in the old
tradition from China. I spend about 8 years in that art.
I once thought shaolin combines both hard and soft unlike the TKD and
goju-ryu karate I did earlier.
The softness in taijichuan as taught to me by the Masters that I had
the good fortune to meet is totally different all together from what
is in shaolin.
My training with them was very personal with a relationship almost
akin to father/son. Training was done everyday for 2-3 hours with
every move, and more important, the transitions in and in between the
moves closely explained to me by Masters who can clearly manifest
their chi power.
As for the period that it takes to be good in taijichuan of the level
of those Masters, I think it is going to take the rest of my life and
I will never be half as good as they are.
For one to be good enough to handle another aggressor who uses hard ma
and say 3-4 dan, I will say 4-5 years with a good Master will be
enough.
Dirk Bruere
>
> >No. It comes from the fact that I teach a martial art that has both hard
> >and soft elements. Although the 15 yrs is a bit of a round number, using
> >soft technique against a fighting mad aggressor does take vastly more
> >skill than kicking him in the stomach or punching his teeth out.
> teach as well) shorin ryu kempo.
Similar name, vastly different org. I do Shorinji Kempo. Check out
for my dojo
and
http://www.shorinjikempo.or.jp/wsko/index.html
for the world organisation. It is registered as a zen religious sect.
> I used to do shaolin in the past. I do like to think that is the same
> martial arts that you do as shorin is Japanese phonetics for shaolin
> and the characters are written the same way.
Same origin. Ours is more recent (1946) and although Chinese in origin,
it has been heavily 'Nipponised'.
> I was learning it from a disciple of Sek Koh Sum, the head abbot of
> Suan Lin temple in Singapore. Sek was a martial monk in the old
> tradition from China. I spend about 8 years in that art.
> I once thought shaolin combines both hard and soft unlike the TKD and
> goju-ryu karate I did earlier.
> The softness in taijichuan as taught to me by the Masters that I had
> the good fortune to meet is totally different all together from what
> is in shaolin.
That's something I'd like to check out sometime. It's difficult to get
an appreciation of an art until you've felt it.
> My training with them was very personal with a relationship almost
> akin to father/son. Training was done everyday for 2-3 hours with
> every move, and more important, the transitions in and in between the
> moves closely explained to me by Masters who can clearly manifest
> their chi power.
When you say 'manifest their Chi power', what do you mean?
> For one to be good enough to handle another aggressor who uses hard ma
> and say 3-4 dan, I will say 4-5 years with a good Master will be
> enough.
Well, in my style in Britain 3-4 dan is about the 15-20 yrs mark, mixed
hard and soft (aikido style + pressure points). Unless that student
above is exceptional I doubt your claim, for the simple reason that
speed and luck are important factors as well as skill. I think you
underrate hard ma's. Have you ever faced (say) a 10 yrs dedicated
Shotokan man?
Dirk
Michael Benson
I'm new to the group. I've been lurking for awhile. I would like to
suggest looking into early confusianism and Buddism. Also the political
philosophy of John Locke and/or Thomas Jefferson has a strong taoist feel.(
Not that either man was directly influenced by any Taoist writings.)
Jess Carey wrote:
> bookburn wrote:
> >
> > cyberclay <cc...@abednego.com> wrote in message
> > news:717905C3B31E649F.57586DBADE4C51A9.FFC9E8A64C027ED4@library-p
> > roxy.airnews.net...
> > > Hey,
> > > I just thought I'd share something with the rest of the
> > group. . . I took
> > > my first Tai Chi lesson last night (at a local community
> > college). I'd
> > > highly recommend this to anyone who isn't already doing it.
> > >
> > > Regards,
> > > cyberclay
> >
> > Yes, if there are people out there who wonder about Taoism and
> > how to get involved, the "moving meditation" of Tai Chi is a
> > portal to much more. If you just try the introduction involved
> > with basic posture, you are likely to get a special feeling about
> > what you are coming in contact with. And because you go slowly
> > and comefortably, requires little space and no extra props, it's
> > something everyone can do. Personally, I exercize alone rather
> > than with a sifu or group, because I'm not interested in
> > imitating another's style.
> >
>
> I'm interested in Taoism, divinity and martial arts. Via research into
> these three things I've learned that T'ai chi, Taoism and the I Ching
> are related. Are there any other books and/or disciplines that are
> related to Taoism?
cyberclay
said something like:
>Hello,
>I'm new to the group. I've been lurking for awhile. I would like to
>suggest looking into early confusianism and Buddism. Also the political
>philosophy of John Locke and/or Thomas Jefferson has a strong taoist feel.(
>Not that either man was directly influenced by any Taoist writings.)
>
Hey,
I believe both of the men you mentioned had a strong influence on the
establishment of the libertarian political part. I am a libertarian.
Regards,
cyberclay
---
cclay at fastlane dot net
http://www.abednego.com
kha...@my-deja.com
art...@kbnet.co.uk wrote:
> kha...@spamoff.hotmail.com wrote:
> >
> > >No. It comes from the fact that I teach a
martial art that has both hard
> > >and soft elements. Although the 15 yrs is a
bit of a round number, using
> > >soft technique against a fighting mad
aggressor does take vastly more
> > >skill than kicking him in the stomach or
punching his teeth out.
>
> > You mentioned in your earlier letter that you
do (and now I know you
> > teach as well) shorin ryu kempo.
>
> Similar name, vastly different org. I do
Shorinji Kempo. Check out
>
> http://www.neopax.com/
>
> for my dojo
>
> and
>
> http://www.shorinjikempo.or.jp/wsko/index.html
>
> for the world organisation. It is registered as
a zen religious sect.
>
A mistake on my part. I initially wanted to write
shorinji as that will be the direct Japanese
equivalent for shaolin tse or temple. I tried to
'japanise' the word but I was too smart.
Only with your letter I now know that shorin ryu
and shorinji are different entities altogether.
I enjoyed browsing the webs that you have pointed
out to me.
Sorry for this late reply though. My usenet
provider is having glitches and I need to use
Dejanews in lieu of Agent instead.
My Masters can fajing at will. Despite their
being 90+ lb in weight, they can effortlessly
throw me 10-15 feet away at will. Their ability
to tingjing (supra-human awareness) has been so
uncanny that they tie me in knots.
>
> > For one to be good enough to handle another
aggressor who uses hard ma
> > and say 3-4 dan, I will say 4-5 years with a
good Master will be
> > enough.
>
> Well, in my style in Britain 3-4 dan is about
the 15-20 yrs mark, mixed
> hard and soft (aikido style + pressure points).
Unless that student
> above is exceptional I doubt your claim, for the
simple reason that
> speed and luck are important factors as well as
skill. I think you
> underrate hard ma's. Have you ever faced (say) a
10 yrs dedicated
> Shotokan man?
>
> Dirk
>
I have felt uncomfortable with the question of how
long does it takes to train in any ma to be
effective. Too many aspects are involved that are
hard to define by themselves even alone eg
dedication, innate ability of the student and most
importantly, his courage.
Time of training also have to include how often
the training is. Once, twice, thrice weekly or
daily affair and who are involved in the training.
Not just the Master alone, how good are the other
students as they take part in the training of
forms and especially sparring too.
At best to you, I am someone who popped out of the
woodwork. My desire to keep myself nameless
in Usenet does not help. Your doubts on what I
have said is understandable.
Based on what you said about the period it takes
to get 4th dan and if what that man told me was
true, I have faced with a 15+ year experienced
Shotokan man even though he switched allegiance
to another martial art at the time we met.
That is outside the scope of this a.p.t.
If you are interested to go into that, we will
take it out of this apt into private email where I
can talk of that and the training I did.
With warm regards
The Taoistic Idiot
Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Share what you know. Learn what you don't.
Dirk Bruere
> A mistake on my part. I initially wanted to write
> shorinji as that will be the direct Japanese
> equivalent for shaolin tse or temple. I tried to
> 'japanise' the word but I was too smart.
>
> Only with your letter I now know that shorin ryu
> and shorinji are different entities altogether.
I think it was more a question of who got the copyright on the name
first.
> I enjoyed browsing the webs that you have pointed
> out to me.
Thanks. Mine is a long way from finished, though, and is really intended
for beginners rather than 'outsiders' or longtime students.
> Sorry for this late reply though. My usenet
> provider is having glitches and I need to use
> Dejanews in lieu of Agent instead.
I think all ISPs have trouble with usenet.
> > When you say 'manifest their Chi power', what do
> you mean?
> My Masters can fajing at will. Despite their
I think you failed to tanslate the most important word in the sentence!
> being 90+ lb in weight, they can effortlessly
> throw me 10-15 feet away at will. Their ability
> to tingjing (supra-human awareness) has been so
> uncanny that they tie me in knots.
Again, it's difficult for me to comment without experiencing the power.
Occasionally I show my students 'tricks' like kneeling down and showing
how two of them, pressing on my shoulders, are unable to push me over.
However, I think you mean something else.
> > underrate hard ma's. Have you ever faced (say) a
> 10 yrs dedicated
> > Shotokan man?
> I have felt uncomfortable with the question of how
> long does it takes to train in any ma to be
> effective. Too many aspects are involved that are
> hard to define by themselves even alone eg
> dedication, innate ability of the student and most
> importantly, his courage.
I agree. I was referring to the 'average' student practicing 4-6 hrs per
week.
> Time of training also have to include how often
> the training is. Once, twice, thrice weekly or
> daily affair and who are involved in the training.
> Not just the Master alone, how good are the other
> students as they take part in the training of
> forms and especially sparring too.
Yes.
> At best to you, I am someone who popped out of the
> woodwork. My desire to keep myself nameless
> in Usenet does not help. Your doubts on what I
> have said is understandable.
It's like many things. I hear stories, but have not experienced the
'extremes of rumour'.
> Based on what you said about the period it takes
> to get 4th dan and if what that man told me was
> true, I have faced with a 15+ year experienced
> Shotokan man even though he switched allegiance
> to another martial art at the time we met.
I am also referring to the way real fights are conducted. I have watched
Aikido masters disposing effortlessly of Karateka. However, in each
instance the Karateka attacked deeply and with committment. This is not
the way I would do it. It's very hard to defend against someone who does
not commit until they get a clean shot through.
> If you are interested to go into that, we will
> take it out of this apt into private email where I
> can talk of that and the training I did.
I would like that.
You can either reply to the above address or mail me at
di...@neopax.com
Dirk
kha...@spamoff.hotmail.com
>kha...@my-deja.com wrote:
>
>> A mistake on my part. I initially wanted to write
>> shorinji as that will be the direct Japanese
>> equivalent for shaolin tse or temple. I tried to
>> 'japanise' the word but I was too smart.
>>
>> Only with your letter I now know that shorin ryu
>> and shorinji are different entities altogether.
>
>I think it was more a question of who got the copyright on the name
>first.
>
LOL.
This is an aspect of modern society that I think we have to live with
and we can live without.
We now have a company in USA with the patented name of Bismati rice
when people in India have been growing for ages and they are not
allowed to use that name now.
We have Vin Tsun and Wing Chun talking of the same thing (more or
less) but different entities altogether,
>> I enjoyed browsing the webs that you have pointed
>> out to me.
>
>Thanks. Mine is a long way from finished, though, and is really intended
>for beginners rather than 'outsiders' or longtime students.
>
>> Sorry for this late reply though. My usenet
>> provider is having glitches and I need to use
>> Dejanews in lieu of Agent instead.
>
>I think all ISPs have trouble with usenet.
>
>> > When you say 'manifest their Chi power', what do
>> you mean?
>
>> My Masters can fajing at will. Despite their
>
>I think you failed to tanslate the most important word in the sentence!
>
I know what you mean. For the lights of me, I cannot see how I can
translate that word even though I am a native user of English language
and fluent speaker of Chinese (I am a chinese by the way).
Explosive release of energy? I don't know. I did not feel any
'explosion' in me when I manage to do that sporadically in my
training. I fear that there are things which are beyond my ability to
translate.
>> being 90+ lb in weight, they can effortlessly
>> throw me 10-15 feet away at will. Their ability
>> to tingjing (supra-human awareness) has been so
>> uncanny that they tie me in knots.
>
>Again, it's difficult for me to comment without experiencing the power.
>Occasionally I show my students 'tricks' like kneeling down and showing
>how two of them, pressing on my shoulders, are unable to push me over.
>However, I think you mean something else.
I meant something else.
One must experience that to understand. I have seen that Chen Xiao
Wang periodically visit England for seminars. He was one of my Master
when he visited and stayed in Singapore for a while. I did not learn
much from him though as I could not speak a word of Chinese then and
had too much baggage from the past to comprehend him even if I could
understand Chinese then. I since heard that he can speak pretty good
English now. I am not sure if he can explain fajing to you either.
My main metamorphosis took place when I was working in Taiwan.
It will be worth your while as a martial artist to have on-hands
experience with him when he is in your part of the world. Do not
waste that opportunity by watch him from the stalls.
Dirk Bruere
>
> >> Only with your letter I now know that shorin ryu
> >> and shorinji are different entities altogether.
> >I think it was more a question of who got the copyright on the name
> >first.
> This is an aspect of modern society that I think we have to live with
> and we can live without.
> We now have a company in USA with the patented name of Bismati rice
> when people in India have been growing for ages and they are not
> allowed to use that name now.
The worst is gene companies patenting gene sequences in that rice and
selling it back to the poorest people on Earth.
> >> My Masters can fajing at will. Despite their
> >I think you failed to tanslate the most important word in the sentence!
> I know what you mean. For the lights of me, I cannot see how I can
> translate that word even though I am a native user of English language
> and fluent speaker of Chinese (I am a chinese by the way).
Chinese, or family of Chinese origin?
> Explosive release of energy? I don't know. I did not feel any
> 'explosion' in me when I manage to do that sporadically in my
> training. I fear that there are things which are beyond my ability to
> translate.
Maybe 'surge'. I think I occasionally do such as well. One aspect seems
to be what I call 'moving without moving'.
> One must experience that to understand. I have seen that Chen Xiao
> Wang periodically visit England for seminars. He was one of my Master
I'll keep an eye open for him.
> It will be worth your while as a martial artist to have on-hands
> experience with him when he is in your part of the world. Do not
> waste that opportunity by watch him from the stalls.
Does he accept 'casual' students who just drop in and 'challenge' him?
--
Dirk
ken
Dirk Bruere wrote in message <37586D9F...@kbnet.co.uk>...
>kha...@spamoff.hotmail.com wrote:
>>
>> >> Only with your letter I now know that shorin ryu
>> >> and shorinji are different entities altogether.
>
>> >I think it was more a question of who got the copyright on the name
>> >first.
>
>> and we can live without.
>
>> We now have a company in USA with the patented name of Bismati rice
>> when people in India have been growing for ages and they are not
>> allowed to use that name now.
>
>selling it back to the poorest people on Earth.
>
>
>> >I think you failed to tanslate the most important word in the sentence!
>
>> I know what you mean. For the lights of me, I cannot see how I can
>> translate that word even though I am a native user of English language
>> and fluent speaker of Chinese (I am a chinese by the way).
>
>
>> 'explosion' in me when I manage to do that sporadically in my
>> training. I fear that there are things which are beyond my ability to
>> translate.
>
>to be what I call 'moving without moving'.
>
>> Wang periodically visit England for seminars. He was one of my Master
>
>
>> experience with him when he is in your part of the world. Do not
>> waste that opportunity by watch him from the stalls.
>
>
>--
>Dirk
>
>
>http://www.neopax.com/index.html
I know little about martial arts and almost as little about physiology but
it is my understanding that when a muscle operates only a small number of
the fibres contract at any one time. I seem to remember reading somewhere
that if all the fibres contracted at the one time it would be enough to tear
the muscle loose from the bone.. If your martial arts experts have learned
controlled increase of the number of fibres firing at the one time then
they would get the results you are talking about.
Just a suggestion. Rgds Ken
kha...@spamoff.hotmail.com
>kha...@spamoff.hotmail.com wrote:
>>
>> >> Only with your letter I now know that shorin ryu
>> >> and shorinji are different entities altogether.
>
>> >I think it was more a question of who got the copyright on the name
>> >first.
>
>> This is an aspect of modern society that I think we have to live with
>> and we can live without.
>
>> We now have a company in USA with the patented name of Bismati rice
>> when people in India have been growing for ages and they are not
>> allowed to use that name now.
>
>The worst is gene companies patenting gene sequences in that rice and
>selling it back to the poorest people on Earth.
>
Yup! They came along and took the genes from the locals who have been
keeping them alive with their traditional agriculture, repackaged them
under patented names and flog it back receiving accolades that they
are doing 'good business practices'. We then award them even more by
buying stocks in that company so that they can hunt for even more
profitable pursuits.
In the meantime, the locals get poorer and poorer, but never mind,
those locals have little impact on shares and stocks even if they
starve to death.
>> >> My Masters can fajing at will. Despite their
>
>> >I think you failed to tanslate the most important word in the sentence!
>
>> I know what you mean. For the lights of me, I cannot see how I can
>> translate that word even though I am a native user of English language
>> and fluent speaker of Chinese (I am a chinese by the way).
>
>Chinese, or family of Chinese origin?
>
>> Explosive release of energy? I don't know. I did not feel any
>> 'explosion' in me when I manage to do that sporadically in my
>> training. I fear that there are things which are beyond my ability to
>> translate.
>
>Maybe 'surge'. I think I occasionally do such as well. One aspect seems
>to be what I call 'moving without moving'.
>
hmmm... maybe it is easier for us to analyse a koan meaningfully
rather than trying to cloth fajing with words that are acceptable.
>> One must experience that to understand. I have seen that Chen Xiao
>> Wang periodically visit England for seminars. He was one of my Master
>
>I'll keep an eye open for him.
>
>> It will be worth your while as a martial artist to have on-hands
>> experience with him when he is in your part of the world. Do not
>> waste that opportunity by watch him from the stalls.
>
>Does he accept 'casual' students who just drop in and 'challenge' him?
That I really do not know. When I last saw him about 14+ years ago,
he was very unassuming and friendly. I did not feel he kept any
secrets but his truth went over all our heads, even to those who were
native Chinese speakers.
What I recalled was that he was faced with a few challenges and had
sudden attacks made on him when he was in Japan earlier. I wished I
could understand directly what he told us instead of relying on
translation which always missed the most exciting parts as others
rather listen than translate to me at those times.
Douglas Henderson
>
> Dirk Bruere wrote:
> >
> > Josh wrote:
> > >
> > > Tai Chi is definatly something I would recommend, however I would also recommend finding a Chi Kung Master in your area and taking classes from them. The animal techniques are definatly worth your time =)
> > >
> > Also on a more serious note, it is much better to learn Tai Chi that is
> > taught as a martial art rather than as an exercise. It's quite an
> > eye-opener.
>
> This breeds a whole new line of questions. How would one identify a
> martial art type class, as opposed to an exercise class? I've only
> watching it, that it was more of an exercise class. It appears that
> videos are also marketed as exercise for health as opposed to a martial
> art.
> >
> > One reason I don't do it is that there are too many killing and maiming
> > techniques in the forms for my Buddhist tastes.
> >
> > (BTW, I teach Shorinji Kempo)
> >
> > Dirk
This particular question would seem to me to be better directed at the
rec.arts.martial-arts.moderated ng. They are good at answering this
question and this particular angle seems devoid of explicit Taoist
content.
--
Douglas Henderson
Douglas Henderson
>
> Dirk Bruere <art...@kbnet.co.uk> wrote:
>
> >OneOf10K wrote:
> >>
> >
> >> The way he teaches it is for exercise, yet he does explain how the moves can be
> >> used for self-defense and attack.
> >
> >As long as the teacher knows what each part of the form is for, then it
> >is less likely to be arbitrarily corrupted through ignorance.
>
> The teacher may well misinterpret that form by using the context of
> his earlier training in 'hard' martial arts. So despite his 'knowing'
> of what that part is for, his knowing is wrong. What is worse is that
> he will 'edit' out what he thinks is superficial thus indeed throwing
> out the baby and keeping the bath water.
>
> The sophistication of the movements in taijichuan is breathtaking. I
> had an earlier background of hard ma which prevent me so long from
> seeing what I must see instead of just seeing what I want to see.
>
> >
> >> Tai ch'i, from my limited knowledge, is considered a soft martial
> >> art--redirecting the opponent's strength and looking for an opportunity to
> >> throw them off
> >
>
> Quite wrong. Taiji is nothing like judo in using opponents strength.
>
> Neither does taijichuan uses strength to oppose strength. It taps
> on power beyond my understanding or ability to explain here.
>
> >Hard - straight lines, power
> >Soft - circles, agility
> >
> >and about 15 in soft.
> >
>
> have the dedication to spend at least an hour everyday at it, you can
> train for fifty years and be nothing.
>
> who know little on taijichuan.
>
>
> The Idiotic Taoist
years or 1,000 repetitions to master the fundamentals. How long do you
study for complete mastery? To paraphrase a Zen master when asked for
how long do you practice Zen, "Until you die."
--
Douglas Henderson
Douglas Henderson
>
> Dirk Bruere wrote:
> >
> > >
> > > > Also on a more serious note, it is much better to learn Tai Chi that is
> > > > taught as a martial art rather than as an exercise. It's quite an
> > > > eye-opener.
> >
> > > This breeds a whole new line of questions. How would one identify a
> > > martial art type class, as opposed to an exercise class? I've only
> >
> > If the teacher shows its combat application, then it's a martial arts
> > form. If the teacher does not even know this much, then there is a good
> > chance that the form has deviated from it's pragmatic base for arbitrary
> > reasons or carelessness.
> >
> > followed by the right hand being extended palm up, fingers pointed
> > forward. That's breaking a grip followed by a killing strike to the
> > opponents throat. Another mark of it being taught as a martial art is
> > practicing these movements with a partner.
> >
>
> on in class, considering that Tai Chi is supposed to take the longest
> do the same with Tai Chi. The instructor I'm thinking about also
> teaches Hapkido, and in that class he emphasizes combative techniques.
> and posture. Actually, my biggest problems with his class in that it
> only meets for an hour a week and I don't care much for the ambiance of
> the class. It makes me think want to move vigorously like in aerobics.
> It works for his hapkido class, but I thinking not for Tai Chi.
>
> instructor does conduct class in a more mediative way. Great emphasize
> on breathing and mediatation. I think he incorporates other martial
> arts into his class, like Tai Chi and Aikodo. So I'm thinking that I
> might get more out of this class than the Tai Chi class.
checked out a few kung-fu schools, kendo, and aikido and went with a
Shin Shin Toitsu school of Aikido here in New York.
When I injured out of Aikido I looked into about ten different Taijiquan
schools after reading some books. I knew enough to see if their forces
was coming from the waist and if they were focusing their mind-intent on
the Yang. Settled (after a false start with a Cheng Man-Ching school)
with a school that teaches Taijiquan, QiGong and Yi Jin Jing. Health
and longevivity oriented. By the way, I have yet to find a school that
teaches the martial side, the health side and the medititative side in
equal proportions. Good luck!
--
Douglas Henderson
siz
>I knew enough to see if their forces
>was coming from the waist and if they were focusing their mind-intent on
>the Yang. Settled (after a false start with a Cheng Man-Ching school)
>with a school that teaches Taijiquan, QiGong and Yi Jin Jing. Health
>and longevivity oriented.
Is it in New York? Where? Thanks.
Douglas Henderson
preserving this ancient Chinese longevity technique. Through meditation, we
calm the mind/heart intention. Using thousand-year-old physical exercises,
we rid the body of illness. This dual cultivation allows to return to a
natural state of balance and harmony.
22 East 21 Street, 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10010
212-353-2585
siz wrote:
--
Douglas Henderson
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