李雅轩太极拳精论

未随出势，先将脑筋静下来，摒除杂念，身心放松，去掉拘束，如这样子才能恢复人 在未被事物缠绕之前的自然稳静及天生具有的灵感。稳静之后而后出动，并要在动时仍保持其稳静，不可因动将身心的稳静分散了，这是需要注意的。按人身体，本 有天然赋予的健康功能，所以未能人人健康者，是因未能锻炼身体，以培养这种天生的健康，而且被些事物的缠绕，将这些自然健康功能给摧毁了，所以不能人人身 体健康，今要达到健康，就必须先将身心放松，静下脑筋来，以恢复身心的自然，恢复自然之后，也自然会有天生的健康功能，不能只是一味的操练身体的外形，也 不能像和尚道士之只修炼内部静坐养神，必须动静参半，身心兼修、内外并练而后可。太极拳的练法，其最重要的是身势放松，稳静心性，修养脑力，清醒智慧，深 长呼吸，气沉丹田等。这些规矩，每练时要想着这些，日久才能起到健康身体和治养疾病的作用。假如练时动作散慢，气意上浮，那就对身体无甚补益，所以太极拳 的功夫，对气沉丹田这一规则是很重要的。然而太极之气沉丹田怎样可以作到呢？那就必须先松心，后松身，心身俱松之后，其意气便可自然的沉到丹田了，而不是 使硬力将气意压到丹田去的。如是用硬力将气意压下去，那就会弄得周身不舒服，甚至身体发生疾病，这是一件很重要的事，学者应当多加注意。
　　 此外，尚须平时注意精神上的修养，以作功夫的辅助则更好。 在练时，先将全身放松，尤其是两臂，要松得如绳拴在肩上的一样，不可稍有拘束之力。如此当稍待，以俟身心稳静下来而后出动。出动时，仍用一点点思想上的意 思松松的将两臂棚挑起来，以腰脊之力牵动两臂，稳静地出动，将一趟拳演变出来，非四肢之自动也。每见练者，不知本此意思用功，混身扭扭娜娜，零零断断，浮 浮漂漂的局部乱动，以为这是太极拳。这是大错，以致长时间练不出一点太极拳味来，未免可惜。练拳时当细细体会，找它的要领。找着要领之后，经常练习，不数 月便用两臂有松沉的感觉，两肩有些酸痛的情形，这到是很自然的，以后拳意就会达到手上来了。如再有明师指点，对太极拳的道理也就会一点一点的领悟，身上的 灵觉也将会慢慢地充实，如此则不但在修身方面有显著的功效，即在应用方面也会有巧妙的动作，这全是由于在松软的基础上着手练功作出来的。如果只是散漫飘浮 的练法是不行的。
　　 太极拳在初练时，是感觉不出什么味道来的。但是只要有耐心，有恒心，细细地体会，时间久了，便会感觉趣味浓厚，使人百练不厌，愈研究愈有味道，愈体会愈有 兴趣甚至形成一种癖好，一辈子离不开它，其终身健康也就在不知不觉之中得到了。为了功夫的增进，要经常不断的思悟其中的道理。每练功进，如何虚无的气势， 如何才有松软沉稳的情形，如何才有丹田之沉劲，如何才能有绵绵不断的味道，如何用意不用力，如何身势经常保持中正，如何有满身轻利顶头悬的意思，如何才有 入里透内之劲道，如何打松净之劲，如何以心意之去，如何以神经之动，如何能来之不知，去之不觉，打人于不知不觉之中，如这样练下去，以后就有好的进步了。 平时要在出动时，心里应如何作想，如何形态，如何神气，如何出手若无所为而又有包罗万象无所不为之气势，这也是很要紧的。假若是出手有所为，心里先有一个 主观的定见，那就恐顾此失彼，挂一漏万，流于外功之明劲，成了多着多法之硬功拳的情形了，此理不可不知。在练时，稳静安舒，心神泰然，反听观内以审身心之 合，这才是练太极拳功夫的态度，否则虽表面似太极拳，实则非太极拳功夫也。 太极拳功夫，不外乎是动静开合而已，但一切要在稳静的基础上作，不可有慌张冒失的现象。它虽是静，但静中藏动机。虽是动，但动中存静意，一动一静，互为其 根，此太极拳之道理也。其健身方面，全凭呼吸深长，气血畅通，头脑安闲，心神稳静。其应用方面，全凭虚无的气势，沾粘跟随，在几跟几随之中，我之身势早已 吃进彼身，一切的机会自送上手来，在这个时候，我的神气一动，早已如触电样将其打出矣。
　　 在练功时，要以神走，以气化，以腰领，以意去，内外一体，心神合一，神气贯串，上下一致，久而久之，便会养出非常的灵觉来，以这种灵觉用之于推手，体会对 方之来劲，是百无一疾的，既已知道对方之来劲，便可顺其来势，随其方向，而作跟随沾粘之动作，他身上之缺点，便会自然的发现出来，我趁势击之，则自无不中 之理也。练体以固精，练精以化气，练气以化神，练神以还虚，这是太极拳的四步功夫。学者宜本此方向细细体会，才能练到妙处。 人身之灵机，最为宝贵。凡一切处事接物，皆全赖于此，不独打拳推手也。但灵机是出于大脑神经，所乙太极拳的功夫，首要在稳静的基础上练功，以养其大脑中枢 神经。但所谓稳静者，是心神泰然之后，自然之中出来的真稳静，而不是强制着不动作出来的表面上的稳静，这种强制着身体不动，表面上是稳静，而心性方面仍是 不静的。如果这样，就不是真静，不是真静，就不能养大脑中枢神经，也就出不来特殊的灵感，此理又不可不知。
　　 练太极拳的功夫，在预备势时，就一定要使身心稳静下来，真稳静下来之后再行出动。尤须注意的，是在动的时候，更要保持其稳静，不要将稳静的情形分散了，这更是最重要的一回事。切记切记。
　　 在动时，要以心行气，以气运身，以腰脊率领，牵动四肢，绵绵软软，松松沉沉，势如行云流水，抽丝挂线，绵绵不断，又如长江大河滔滔不绝的。将一趟太极拳形 容出来，不是四肢局部之动，练后有甜液生于口中，便是练之得法处，身心已感泰然。如此可坚持日日按时练功，不要间断，以后就会有显著的进步。假如练后口中 没有甜液发现，这便是练之不得法，心神未静下来，在这种情形下，就不必按时练功了，当速请太极拳明师指正了，否则毛病暗出，则更不易改正。
　　 在呼吸方面，务须深长，使呼吸趁着缓和的动作鼓荡，又要使缓和的动作，趁着呼吸的鼓荡开合，并须要作得自然而顺随，这才是正确的练法。稳静安舒可以蓄神， 呼吸深长可以养气，久而久之，则神气自能充实，身体健康也自然增进。太极拳所讲的柔软，是指的周身均匀，配合一致合度。在生理上、在健康上、在技击上所需 要的柔软，而不是脚翘得特别高，腰折得特别弯，这样失掉了灵感性，不合生理的局部的特殊的柔软。因为这些不合生理的柔软，只是好看而已，但在技击和健身方 面，都没有什么好处的。
　　 在太极拳的功夫方面，只是有些软活柔动还是不够的，需要在这些软活柔动中作到均匀有沉着的心劲和雄伟的气势才够味。以上这情况，是要在练拳日子久了，功夫 有了基础之后，再经老师详细的口传面授，说些比喻，作些示范，形容其气势，慢慢地悟会才会有的，而不是一言两语可以了事的，也非笔墨所能描绘。这种雄伟的 气势及沉拳的心劲，是在身势气魄之内含而不露的，不是摆在外面的。以上这些情况，要有真的太极拳传授而又有功夫的人，才能鉴别出来的，如哪些毛手毛脚的太 极拳家，是看不出来的。如他们看了，反以为是不好，或出些反对的言语，如说什么太慢了，或说架子太大了，或说太神化，太迷信了云云。所以说，凡是对某一项 学识设有研究的人，就会发言不当。
　　 练刚柔不如练柔劲，练柔劲不如练松软，练松软不如练轻灵，练轻灵又不如虚无。虚无的气势，才是太极拳最上层的功夫。其主要的练法，是以心行气，以气运身， 以意贯指，日积月累，内劲自通，拳意主能上手。四肢是外梢，不可自动，胯为底盘，务须中正，以思想命令于腰脊，以腰脊领动于四肢，尚须以神气相配，上下相 随，完整一气，否则非太极拳功夫。松软沉稳的形势，如载重之船，沉沉稳稳地荡于江河之中，既有沉重而又有软弹之力。
　　 凡是一举一动，是以意为主使，以气来牵引，无论伸缩开合，或收放来去，吞吐含化，皆是由意气的牵引为主动，由腰脊来领动，此是太极拳与他种拳不同之处。如 一势之开，不但四肢开，而心意胸脊必先为之开；如一势之合，不但四肢合，而心意胸部必先为之合，凡一切动作必须由内达外，所以称为内功。
　　 找上下相随，是初步之练法。找轻灵绵软，是中乘之功夫。找虚无所有，才是最后的研究。盖轻灵仍有物也，如到虚无则无物也，则一切无不从心所欲，以达通玄通 妙之境界。太极拳之虚无气势，在技击方面，其变化作用，其妙无穷。如遇刚劲来犯，可以使其捕风捉影；遇柔劲来犯，可以化之于无形，使对方找不着实地，摸不 着重心，英雄无用武之地。
　　 太极拳在前清咸丰时代，有些人称它为神拳。余以为这个名称很有道理。称神拳者，并非指神怪之神，而是神经之神，神气之神。一者是因在练功时不是用力，而是 用意，用神用气；二者是在对手时，其动不是专靠肌肉的伸缩为主，而是以神经之动为主，其变化运用巧妙神奇，有令人不可测度之处，故称之为神拳。每练功夫， 要细细的体会功夫中的精微奥妙。这种精微奥妙，是在思想之内心而不在手势之外面，所乙太极拳的功夫，只靠操练还不行，需要用悟。用悟就必须缓慢，必须稳 静，如不缓慢稳静，就悟不出去，悟不进去，就找不着太极拳的味道。学者须特别注意。
　 澄甫先师每作推手发劲时，只见其眼神一看，对方便觉惊心动魄，有顷刻生死之感，此乃体态与精神合一，能在极短之时，将全身之力量集中而发，能起在突然之 间，迅雷不及掩耳，令人不可抵御，亦无从抵御故耳。平时练功所以稳静缓慢者，正为蓄养此精气神，即内外各部配合之妙用也。如练时太快，非但不能蓄神养气， 即内外各部之配合亦必难作到恰到好处，故发劲不充实，气势亦不惊人。 周身松开，上下完整，是太极拳必须之条件。我过去练功夫的经验，只要周身松开了，气自会沉下去，日久则内劲自生，脚下也会沉稳，如动作不整，整而不松，或 只两肩松而腰腹胯背不知如何为松，或肘腕指节等处不知如何为松，或练后掌心无鼓胀之意。此皆因无正宗老师传授，内劲则永远不会有，愈练愈离太极拳远矣。

太 极拳的功夫是走轻灵虚无、稳静松软的劲，其它拳门多是讲神气活现、刚柔相济的劲，太极拳是神意内敛，外家拳是精神外露，内外功之区别也就在于此。

“ 刚柔相济 ” 并不是说他不对，而是要看他怎么一个刚柔相济法，太极拳之刚柔相济是说在技击中有忽刚忽柔，要轻则百无所有，要重则可以无坚不摧，这是虚实变化、刚柔轻重互化的意思。

　　 吾辈练拳，以全心全意地去想松而尚不能将身势松得干净。如在练功时，心中先存着一个刚柔相济的思想，哪还能将身势松得干净，而没有一点拘滞别扭之力呢？如 这样子的刚柔相济的练法，我相信一辈子也将身体松不纯粹了。如这样又刚又柔的刚柔相济的练法，日子久了，会将身体练成为一种僵肉力，在筋骨肌肉之间也起了 一种僵肉的 ” 胚胎 ” ，有了这种 “ 胚胎 ” ，就一辈子去不掉了。有了这种情形，他的神经感应也必然非常迟钝。练大极拳全凭神经感应灵敏，如灵机性少了，那太极拳还练什么！灵机是出于神经，神经的灵 敏是人身上之至宝，所以太极拳练法在未出势之前，预备式中就先要松身心、静思想，以养神经上的虚灵为第一要着。

　　 练拳应本王宗岳拳论用功，又要本着我教你们的情形去思悟，就不会走错了路，如心下时常思想些他们的功夫，违背太极拳的原理，那与功夫是有很大的影响的。

　　 要联络些有真太极拳功夫的人为友，互相切磋，对提高功夫很有益处，否则是不会进步的。在过去把太极拳称为 “ 神拳 ” ，意义有二：其一是太极拳在练时是用神用意，于藏而不露之中，其主要是用神，所以称为神拳；其二是大极拳在对手时变化神奇，冷快绝伦，能打人于不知不觉之 中，有时神气一动对方就惊心动魄不知所措，所以称之为神拳。早先，杨禄禅称神拳 “ 杨无敌 ” ，就是这个道理。一般学术家多在筋骨肌肉上练些刚柔伸缩的动作，而不是以神、以气、以意为主。如练太极拳只是用这种筋骨伸缩动作为主，那功夫就练不好。如 定要兼练些其他的功夫，那势必将身体弄成混浊僵肉的劲道，那在轻重虚实变化上就感应不灵了。练太极拳亦如学习马列主义差不多，要时时刻刻保持它的纯洁性， 如不注意就会变成太极拳的修正主义，此不可不慎也

极 门中拳、刀；枪、剑皆有，可以健身，亦可以有技击上的作用，将太极拳的东西练好就不容易了，如再兼练他门的功夫，难免艺多了不精。太极拳是聪明人练的拳， 一要有真功的太极拳老师传授，又要舍得下苦功学习，尤须是要有聪明智慧，不然就成不了好手，王宗岳拳论云：非有夙慧不能悟也。又云：先师不肯妄传，非独择 人，亦恐枉费功夫耳，有练太极拳的天才，正好以求，但必须专门研究太极拳的道理，如兼练些杂门的东西那就练不好了。

“ 揣思摩像 ” ，我当先也常有之，要想起杨老师打拳推手的神气，便觉功夫有进步，如长久不见老师了，练拳就找不到味道了。近有人竟不知思念教者的意思，肯定是不对的。对 太极拳的体会：松腰塌胯、虚实分明，一吐随起，一纳即伏，手领神到，意气布满，一动全身随，真气内鼓盈，身如轻舟走，脚与地面通等等皆对。不过在练架子 时，身势应如载重之船行于江河之中，是又有动荡之形势；又是非常的沉稳。起，不离水的托力，下沉，不能触到河底，船身始终是由水的浮力托着的，亦就是说人 练拳的身体，是在脚腿上之弹动力托着的，既不能浮起，又不能生到硬根上。如只说如轻舟走，怕是不懂悟解的入，把意思错解，将身体气势练浮起来，胯以下应以 气使其下沉，腰以上、背项、顶部分应是以神往上提起的，往下去的是全身重量落于脚底，与地面过电打通。如这样子一沉一拔，、将胯以上拉成一个整体，再与脚 腿通，然后以神领动，并且以气鼓荡着、来使身体作拳势的一些动作，这叫作用神、用意不用力。如专用筋骨肌肉有形之体做动作，那就恐怕忽略了神、意与气势在 练拳上的作用，只是一个肉体在涌动，那有什么味道之可言呢？关于这点要注意，切切。

　　 在练拳时，身体如火车的车箱，脚腿如火车箱下之大盘丝簧，车厢是托在盘簧上的，不使车厢上起离开盘簧，也不使车厢下触着硬地铁轮，如这样我以为才对；功夫之锻炼因个人之身心性格不同，所以所找的道理也不一样。

　　 我练功夫的方向，是找大松大软，是找虚无的气势，是找神明的感应；是找莫测的变化，不停留于筋骨肌肉的初步锻炼过程中。我以为，这种大松大软、神明感应、莫测变化妙处无穷，我不以为它大松大软了就不能敌抗对方之来手 ．

　　　                                               摘自陈龙骧先生＜杨式太极拳精论＞ 

2009 Taichi Events

October 4-5, 2008

Lenzie Williams Workshop

Saturday, October 4, 2008, Morning Session is open to all students of the Yang style Short Form as developed by Cheng Man Ch'ing including Beginning Level. This is a first third form class emphasizing the key fundamentals for cultivating conscious form development and Standing Meditation for chi development and refinement. Correction of the form through Cross Hands.

Saturday, October 5, 2008, Afternoon Session is open to students who have completed instruction in the entire Short Form and have attended the morning session. Form corrections of postures and transitions of the second and last thirds.

Location: Saturday Sessions: morning and afternoon at Grace Episcopal Day School, 9411 Connecticut Avenue, Kensington, MD (at the intersection of the Capitol Beltway and Connecticut Ave).

Sunday, October 5, 2008, Morning Session is open to students who have attended both Saturday sessions and will include advanced posture corrections and functions. Note: Prior attendance at both Saturday classes required.

Sunday, October 5, 2008 Afternoon Session for students attending the previous three sessions: Push Hands Exercises that cultivate internal and external organization which in turn allows for the application of these push hands techniques to reflect a quality of the internal aspects of T’ai Chi. Push Hands exercises and free form Push Hands. Lenzie will push with all participants. Note: Prior attendance at first three sessions is required.

Location: Sunday Sessions: Glen Echo, Maryland

Please e-mail Ellen Kennedy at emearskenn@aol.com or call 301-320-9014 for registration and further information


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October 12

Workshop with Grandmaster William C.C. Chen.

Grandmaster Chen was the youngest and one of the most prolific of Professor Cheng Man-Ch'ing's students in Taiwan during the fifties and early sixties, where he distinguished himself in full contact fighting tournaments, developing an effective approach to teaching Tai Chi as a practical system of self-defense as well as a meditative exercise for health and longevity. Coming to America at Prof. Cheng's request, he started a school in NYC which remains one of the meccas of genuine Tai Chi in America.

Now in his 70s, Grandmaster Chen continues to travel the world, passing on his Tai Chi wisdom to subsequent generations of Tai Chi students.

When: Sunday, October 12, noon till 4 p.m.

Where: Pt. Pleasant Firehouse

Pt. Pleasant Pike and Wismer Rd., Pt. Pleasant PA

Workshop fee $85.00

After Oct. 1, Call for availability.

Make checks payable to:

Rolly Brown

612 Washington Ave.

Sellersville PA 18960

Questions? Phone:215-257-8737

For more info:

www.rollybrown.com/chenwkshp.html

www.williamccchen.com

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Oct. 25 – 26, 2008

T'ai Chi Ch'uan Workshop

With Benjamin Lo in Rockville, MD

Saturday, Oct. 25, 2008

9:30am to 11:30am - Form Correction

2:30pm to 4:30pm - Form Correction

Sunday, Oct. 26, 2008

9:30am to 11:30am - Form Correction

2:30pm to 4:30pm - Form Correction and Push-hands practice

Location: Lakewood Elementary School

2534 Lindley Terrace Rockville, MD 20850

Cost: $120.00 for one day

$240.00 for two days



Please make checks payable to: Benjamin Lo

and send to: Joanne Chang at

2211 Newton Drive, Rockville, MD 20850



Students must have completed Prof. Cheng Man-ch’ing Yang short form to register.



Participation is limited to 50 students.



Questions: Please contact Joanne Chang at (C) 240-418-5064

or email at Joanne@wuweitaichi.com



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November 7-8-9, 2008
A Taste of China presents the 15th Annual
Autumn Qigong Retreat
With Master Nick Gracenin


Join us as Master Nick Gracenin shares his more than 30 years of Qigong training and explains what “Qi” and “Qigong” are, the relationship to Traditional Chinese Medicine and Taijiquan, and the many benefits for modern society, through three complete and complementary courses.

Experience is not required. Whether you are a beginner or a long-time practitioner of qigong, you can enjoy the instruction and benefit from this weekend.

Chan Si Gong: Silk Reeling
also Rooting Pine Qigong
and Qigong Meditation: Doorway to Abiding Calm

full information posted on: www.atoctaijiquan.com
contact Pat Rice at 540.667.7595, 540.247.2283, or email atocrice@verizon.net

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September 27, 2008

The Greater Washington Area Autumn Push-hands Get-together

is on Saturday, Sep. 27th 2008 from 2:00pm to 6:00pm.

It will be held at Lakewood Elementary School.

2534 Lindley Terrace Rockville, MD 20850.

The fee at the door is $8

Contact

Joanne Chang

Joanne@wuweitaichi.com

301-251-2345

cell 240-418-5064

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September 24-28, 2008 (Wednesday-Sunday)

Frederick ,Maryland

Chen Panling International Martial Arts Foundation Seminar featuring Grandmaster Chen Yunching.

5-day intensive workshop.

Sessions will be held in the morning (2.5 hrs) and afternoon (2.5 hrs) on all 5 days. The curriculum will include methods from Chen Pan-ling family Taiji Quan, Xing-yi Quan, Bagua Zhang, Shaolin, Qigong, and Weaponry.

Please contact John Scott 240-409-3709 email sifuscott@mac.com for the detail information.



Scott Academy of Martial Arts
Chen Pan Ling International Martial Arts Foundation, Maryland Chapter
5995 Ladd Ct. Apt F, Frederick, MD 21703
Ph. 240-409-3709
E-mail: sifuscott@mac.com
Website: www.chenpanlingmd.com



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September 26 – 28, 2008

Seminar with Master Su Zi Fang

At Blue Heron Martial and Healing Arts, Charles Town, WV

Master Su is the 4th generation descendant of the well known Bagua Grandmaster Sha Guo Tsang and Wushu Grandmaster Ha Fu San. With over 45 years of dedicated training, teaching, demonstrating, and competing, and winning over 30 medals, Master Su is internationally known for her skill in Taijiquan, Baguazhang, and Xingyiquan.

An excellent teacher and coach, Master Su has developed high level champions in both China and Singapore. For the last eight years, she has been Singapore’s National Wushu Federation Head Coach. Usually, Singapore is known to change its coaches every year.

At Blue Heron Martial and Healing Arts, Master Su will teach Sun Style 13 form, Sun style sword, Bagua, special Chinese warmups, Yang style form, and Chin Na (applications).

Schedule of Classes

Friday: 1. Special Warm-ups 6:00 – 7:00 pm

2. Sun Style Sword 7:15 – 9:15 pm

Saturday: 3. Sun Style 13 Form 10:00 am – noon

4. Ba Gua 1 2:00 – 4:00 pm

5. Yang Style 4:30 – 6:30 pm

Sunday: 6. Ba Gua 2 10:00 am – noon

7. Tai Chi Applications 2:00 – 4:00 pm


Cost (note discounts for multiple classes attended)

Classes Before September 7 After September 7

Warm ups (1 hour class): $ 25 $ 30

1 Two Hour Class: 50 60

2 Two Hour Classes 95 115

3 Two Hour Classes 135 165

4 Two Hour Classes 170 210

5 Two Hour Classes 205 250

6 Two Hour Classes 235 285

Complete Seminar $250 $300

Please contact Barbara Feldman at Blue Heron Martial and Healing Arts: blueherondojo@comcast.net 304-725-3756 www.blueherondojo.com



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DATE: September 19, 20 & 21, 2008
EVENT: Master WeiLun Huang : TaiJi form, Push Hands & Liu He Ba Fa

LOCATION: Community [Masonic] Lodge, 2274 W. Chester Pike, Broomall, Pa 19008
CONTACT: Tom Hardy, 610-325-4349, redrivertaichi@comcast.net

WORKSHOP DETAILS:
Master Huang will conduct a 2 hr Liu He Ba Fa workshop for beginners & up, Friday afternoon 3-5pm; a 3 hr Push Hands for all levels on Friday evening 7-10pm; Saturday & Sunday, 10-5pm each day, Yang style TaiJi form & Rainy Day TaiJi Qigong.

COST: Liu He Ba Fa, $70
Push Hands, $70
TaiJi, $175 for both days; $95 for one day

Discount if pay in advance-
CALL: Tom Hardy 610-325-4349 or email redrivertaichi@comcast.net



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Oct 11-14

T’ai Chi T’ui Shou workshop

With Mr. Herman Kauz

Catonsville, Md





Mr. Herman Kauz will offer two T’ai Chi T’ui Shou workshops at Elementary T’ai Chi Ch’uan in Catonsville, Maryland, this coming October 11-14. A similar, very productive, workshop sold out last year partly because Mr. Kauz insists on keeping the class size small.

Herman Kauz, a long time student of the martial arts and T’ai Chi Ch’uan, is deeply vested in sensing, following and softening. Each workshop session will focus solely on t'ui shou and getting into the "now" and will cover substantially the same material.

Class size will be limited to 15 participants. For further information, contact Jeff at Workshop@ElementaryTaiChi.com









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Oct 25-26, 2008

Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang Workshop

Washington DC



Topic: Deepening your Taijiqun practice through Old Frame Canon Fist (Erlu Pao Chui)
The purpose of the two-day workshop is to instill the understanding of the gang (hard) and the rou (soft) of jin (internal strength) through the training in Old Frame Canon Fist Routine. We have spent years practicing the Taijiquan routine in slow motion to rid the movements of jiang (stiff or strained) jin, in the long and arduous process of rendering the jin soft (rou). In the Canon Fist or Paochui Routine, we train to develop the gang (power) of jin, so that the jin will be both gang (hard) and rou (soft), thus not deficient in either. The Workshop is important to both a novice and an advanced practitioner, as it will give you a practical insight of what is gang and rou of jin, and at the same time, a pragmatic test of how well you have been training through the expression of jin.

10/25 Sat.: 9:00 am -12:00

2:00 pm – 5:00 pm

10/26 Sun.: 9:00 am -12:00

2:00 pm – 5:00 pm



Fees: $250.00 for two days

$150.00 for one day



Call or email for more information
Tel: 301-299-8116
Email: cpong@goTaiji.com
C.P.Ong



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T'AI CHI MEET WITH MAGGIE NEWMAN
SATURDAY NOV 15, 2008
1 - 6 PM

AT
CHILDREN'S AID SOCIETY, 219 SULLIVAN ST.
GREENWICH VILLAGE CENTER
(BETWEEN WEST 3RD AND BLEECKER ST.)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, 10012

FEE $12 (CORRECT CHANGE IS APPRECIATED.)

ENTRANCE IS AT 219 SULLIVAN STREET. AFTER ENTERING,
TURN RIGHT AND WALK OUTSIDE, THROUGH THE PLAY-
GROUND INTO THE BUILDING TO THE RIGHT. WALK UP THREE
FLIGHTS TO THE AUDITORIUM.

CLASSES: SUNDAY, NOV 16TH AT 537 BROADWAY.
10 - 11 BEGINNING, 11 - 12 CORRECTIONS ($11 EACH).
RING BUZZER #4 TWICE AND WALK TO THE 4TH FLOOR.

PLEASE DO NOT POST THIS NOTICE ON YOUR PRIVATE
WEB SITE WITHOUT THE PERMISSION FROM MAGGIE. SHE WOULD LIKE
NEW PARTICIPANTS TO BE ADEQUATELY TRAINED TO MAINTAIN
THE SAFETY AND HARMONY OF THE PREVIOUS MEETS.
THOSE TEACHERS WHO HAVE ATTENDED THE MEETS
BEFORE AND BROUGHT THEIR STUDENTS ARE WELCOME.



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Free T'ai Chi Beginners' Practice

Every Saturday morning in McLean, Virginia.

All are welcome.

(You do not have to be enrolled in our regular classes to attend.)

We will mostly be doing the beginners' set

of Prof. Cheng Man-ch'ing's Yang style short form.

For details and directions, please visit

www.TaiChiCenter.com

or call 703-759-9141.

Sponsored by the T'ai Chi Study Center.



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Cheng Man-ch'ing Yang style t'ai chi / No charge

with David Walls-Kaufman

Saturday morning

8 - 9 Form class and practice

9 - 10 Push hands practice,

Lincoln Park, Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C., 11th and East Capitol St., SE, 20003.

Info: 202.544.6035.



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Opportunity to study tai chi and qi gong in Carroll County, MD.

When Frances Lea Gander relocated from Sykesville, MD to Athens, OH in 2004, three of her senior tai chi students created a tai chi and qi gong study group to keep the practice going in Carroll Co. We take turns leading classes in Finksburg on Monday evenings. Usually all three of us are there so that, after the warm-ups, we break up into 2 or 3 smaller groups to work with students at different levels. New students are welcome at any time; we have flexibility because of multiple instructors.

We practice tai chi as transmitted to us by our teacher Frances Lea Gander, who learned from the late Grandmaster Chian Ho Yin of Taiwan and Milwaukee, WI. We usually begin with warms up, the Eight Pieces of Brocade (Qi Gong), Master Yin's Continuous Form, and Northern Yang (Old Style) Tai Chi C'huan.

Where: Cedarhurst Unitarian Universalist, Club House Rd., Finksburg, MD

When: Monday evenings from 6:45 pm to 8:30 pm (or a little later sometimes)

How much: $5 per class on a drop-in basis

($4 is a tax-deductible contribution to CUU; $1 is for a tai chi fund used to defray cost of holding occasional special classes with guest teachers, such as Frances Gander)



For more information please contact Maureen Harvey at Maureen.harvey@jhuapl.edu or Evenings (410) 795-3117





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Open Push Hands (PH) at Wu Shen Tao

Tuesday evenings from 7:00 to 9:00



This opportunity is FREE and OPEN to all levels of PH players, beginners are encouraged to participate.



This Open PH venue will be hosted by Paul Ramos, George Harris, and

Alexander (Roots) King.





Location.

"The Dance Exchange",

7117 Maple Ave,

Takoma Park, Maryland.

It is 2 blocks from the Takoma Park Metro Station.



Indoor Shoes Required: There is one caveat, "The Dance Exchange"

requires that all participants wear nonstreet shoes. This

translates as each player must push hands in shoes only used indoors, or

socks. "The Dance Exchange" has to protect its custom dance floor from

the dirt and abrasion of street side shoes.

Contact:

John Lomas

at 202-462-8695 or Cell 202-549-8321.

How to Practice Taichi?

This article is by the famous taichi practitioner 李雅轩先生.

李雅轩先生太极拳随笔
未随出势，先将脑筋静下来，摒除杂念，身心放松，去掉拘束，如这样子才能恢复人在未被事物缠绕之前的自然稳静及天生具有的灵感。稳静之后而后出动，并要在动时仍保持其稳静，不可因动将身心的稳静分散了，这是需要注意的。

按人身体，本有天然赋予的健康功能，所以未能人人健康者，是因未能锻炼身体，以培养这种天生的健康，而且被些事物的缠绕，将这些自然健康功能给摧毁了，所以不能人人身体健康，今要达到健康，就必须先将身心放松，静下脑筋来，以恢复身心的自然，恢复自然之后，也自然会有天生的健康功能，不能只是一味的操练身体的外形，也不能像和尚道士之只修炼内部静坐养神，必须动静参半，身心兼修、内外并练而后可。

太极拳的练法，其最重要的是身势放松，稳静心性，修养脑力，清醒智慧，深长呼吸，气沉丹田等。这些规矩，每练时要想着这些，日久才能起到健康身体和治养疾病的作用。假如练时动作散慢，气意上浮，那就对身体无甚补益，所以太极拳的功夫，对气沉丹田这一规则是很重要的。然而太极之气沉丹田怎样可以作到呢？那就必须先松心，后松身，心身俱松之后，其意气便可自然的沉到丹田了，而不是使硬力将气意压到丹田去的。如是用硬力将气意压下去，那就会弄得周身不舒服，甚至身体发生疾病，这是一件很重要的事，学者应当多加注意。此外，尚须平时注意精神上的修养，以作功夫的辅助则更好。

在练时，先将全身放松，尤其是两臂，要松得如绳拴在肩上的一样，不可稍有拘束之力。如此当稍待，以俟身心稳静下来而后出动。出动时，仍用一点点思想上的意思松松的将两臂棚挑起来，以腰脊之力牵动两臂，稳静地出动，将一趟拳演变出来，非四肢之自动也。每见练者，不知本此意思用功，混身扭扭娜娜，零零断断，浮浮漂漂的局部乱动，以为这是太极拳。这是大错，以致长时间练不出一点太极拳味来，未免可惜。

练拳时当细细体会，找它的要领。找着要领之后，经常练习，不数月便用两臂有松沉的感觉，两肩有些酸痛的情形，这到是很自然的，以后拳意就会达到手上来了。如再有明师指点，对太极拳的道理也就会一点一点的领悟，身上的灵觉也将会慢慢地充实，如此则不但在修身方面有显著的功效，即在应用方面也会有巧妙的动作，这全是由于在松软的基础上着手练功作出来的。如果只是散漫飘浮的练法是不行的。

太极拳在初练时，是感觉不出什么味道来的。但是只要有耐心，有恒心，细细地体会，时间久了，便会感觉趣味浓厚，使人百练不厌，愈研究愈有味道，愈体会愈有兴趣甚至形成一种癖好，一辈子离不开它，其终身健康也就在不知不觉之中得到了。

为了功夫的增进，要经常不断的思悟其中的道理。每练功进，如何虚无的气势，如何才有松软沉稳的情形，如何才有丹田之沉劲，如何才能有绵绵不断的味道，如何用意不用力，如何身势经常保持中正，如何有满身轻利顶头悬的意思，如何才有入里透内之劲道，如何打松净之劲，如何以心意之去，如何以神经之动，如何能来之不知，去之不觉，打人于不知不觉之中，如这样练下去，以后就有好的进步了。

平时要在出动时，心里应如何作想，如何形态，如何神气，如何出手若无所为而又有包罗万象无所不为之气势，这也是很要紧的。假若是出手有所为，心里先有一个主观的定见，那就恐顾此失彼，挂一漏万，流于外功之明劲，成了多着多法之硬功拳的情形了，此理不可不知。

在练时，稳静安舒，心神泰然，反听观内以审身心之合，这才是练太极拳功夫的态度，否则虽表面似太极拳，实则非太极拳功夫也。

太极拳功夫，不外乎是动静开合而已，但一切要在稳静的基础上作，不可有慌张冒失的现象。它虽是静，但静中藏动机。虽是动，但动中存静意，一动一静，互为其根，此太极拳之道理也。

其健身方面，全凭呼吸深长，气血畅通，头脑安闲，心神稳静。其应用方面，全凭虚无的气势，沾粘跟随，在几跟几随之中，我之身势早已吃进彼身，一切的机会自送上手来，在这个时候，我的神气一动，早已如触电样将其打出矣。

在练功时，要以神走，以气化，以腰领，以意去，内外一体，心神合一，神气贯串，上下一致，久而久之，便会养出非常的灵觉来，以这种灵觉用之于推手，体会对方之来劲，是百无一疾的，既已知道对方之来劲，便可顺其来势，随其方向，而作跟随沾粘之动作，他身上之缺点，便会自然的发现出来，我趁势击之，则自无不中之理也。

练体以固精，练精以化气，练气以化神，练神以还虚，这是太极拳的四步功夫。学者宜本此方向细细体会，才能练到妙处。

人身之灵机，最为宝贵。凡一切处事接物，皆全赖于此，不独打拳推手也。但灵机是出于大脑神经，所以太极拳的功夫，首要在稳静的基础上练功，以养其大脑中枢神经。但所谓稳静者，是心神泰然之后，自然之中出来的真稳静，而不是强制着不动作出来的表面上的稳静，这种强制着身体不动，表面上是稳静，而心性方面仍是不静的。如果这样，就不是真静，不是真静，就不能养大脑中枢神经，也就出不来特殊的灵感，此理又不可不知。

练太极拳的功夫，在预备势时，就一定要使身心稳静下来，真稳静下来之后再行出动。尤须注意的，是在动的时候，更要保持其稳静，不要将稳静的情形分散了，这更是最重要的一回事。切记切记。

在动时，要以心行气，以气运身，以腰脊率领，牵动四肢，绵绵软软，松松沉沉，势如行云流水，抽丝挂线，绵绵不断，又如长江大河滔滔不绝的。将一趟太极拳形容出来，不是四肢局部之动，练后有甜液生于口中，便是练之得法处，身心已感泰然。如此可坚持日日按时练功，不要间断，以后就会有显著的进步。假如练后口中没有甜液发现，这便是练之不得法，心神未静下来，在这种情形下，就不必按时练功了，当速请太极拳明师指正了，否则毛病暗出，则更不易改正。

在呼吸方面，务须深长，使呼吸趁着缓和的动作鼓荡，又要使缓和的动作，趁着呼吸的鼓荡开合，并须要作得自然而顺随，这才是正确的练法。稳静安舒可以蓄神，呼吸深长可以养气，久而久之，则神气自能充实，身体健康也自然增进。
太极拳所讲的柔软，是指的周身均匀，配合一致合度。在生理上、在健康上、在技击上所需要的柔软，而不是脚翘得特别高，腰折得特别弯，这样失掉了灵感性，不合生理的局部的特殊的柔软。因为这些不合生理的柔软，只是好看而已，但在技击和健身方面，都没有什么好处的。

在太极拳的功夫方面，只是有些软活柔动还是不够的，需要在这些软活柔动中作到均匀有沉着的心劲和雄伟的气势才够味。以上这情况，是要在练拳日子久了，功夫有了基础之后，再经老师详细的口传面授，说些比喻，作些示范，形容其气势，慢慢地悟会才会有的，而不是一言两语可以了事的，也非笔墨所能描绘。这种雄伟的气势及沉拳的心劲，是在身势气魄之内含而不露的，不是摆在外面的。以上这些情况，要有真的太极拳传授而又有功夫的人，才能鉴别出来的，如哪些毛手毛脚的太极拳家，是看不出来的。如他们看了，反以为是不好，或出些反对的言语，如说什么太慢了，或说架子太大了，或说太神化，太迷信了云云。所以说，凡是对某一项学识设有研究的人，就会发言不当。

练刚柔不如练柔劲，练柔劲不如练松软，练松软不如练轻灵，练轻灵又不如虚无。虚无的气势，才是太极拳最上层的功夫。其主要的练法，是以心行气，以气运身，以意贯指，日积月累，内劲自通，拳意主能上手。四肢是外梢，不可自动，胯为底盘，务须中正，以思想命令于腰脊，以腰脊领动于四肢，尚须以神气相配，上下相随，完整一气，否则非太极拳功夫。

松软沉稳的形势，如载重之船，沉沉稳稳地荡于江河之中，既有沉重而又有软弹之力。

凡是一举一动，是以意为主使，以气来牵引，无论伸缩开合，或收放来去，吞吐含化，皆是由意气的牵引为主动，由腰脊来领动，此是太极拳与他种拳不同之处。如一势之开，不但四肢开，而心意胸脊必先为之开；如一势之合，不但四肢合，而心意胸部必先为之合，凡一切动作必须由内达外，所以称为内功。

找上下相随，是初步之练法。找轻灵绵软，是中乘之功夫。找虚无所有，才是最后的研究。盖轻灵仍有物也，如到虚无则无物也，则一切无不从心所欲，以达通玄通妙之境界。

太极拳之虚无气势，在技击方面，其变化作用，其妙无穷。如遇刚劲来犯，可以使其捕风捉影；遇柔劲来犯，可以化之于无形，使对方找不着实地，摸不着重心，英雄无用武之地。

太极拳在前清咸丰时代，有些人称它为神拳。余以为这个名称很有道理。称神拳者，并非指神怪之神，而是神经之神，神气之神。一者是因在练功时不是用力，而是用意，用神用气；二者是在对手时，其动不是专靠肌肉的伸缩为主，而是以神经之动为主，其变化运用巧妙神奇，有令人不可测度之处，故称之为神拳。

每练功夫，要细细的体会功夫中的精微奥妙。这种精微奥妙，是在思想之内心而不在手势之外面，所以太极拳的功夫，只靠操练还不行，需要用悟。用悟就必须缓慢，必须稳静，如不缓慢稳静，就悟不出去，悟不进去，就找不着太极拳的味道。学者须特别注意。

澄甫先师每作推手发劲时，只见其眼神一看，对方便觉惊心动魄，有顷刻生死之感，此乃体态与精神合一，能在极短之时，将全身之力量集中而发，能起在突然之间，迅雷不及掩耳，令人不可抵御，亦无从抵御故耳。平时练功所以稳静缓慢者，正为蓄养此精气神，即内外各部配合之妙用也。

如练时太快，非但不能蓄神养气，即内外各部之配合亦必难作到恰到好处，故发劲不充实，气势亦不惊人。

周身松开，上下完整，是太极拳必须之条件。我过去练功夫的经验，只要周身松开了，气自会沉下去，日久则内劲自生，脚下也会沉稳，如动作不整，整而不松，或只两肩松而腰腹胯背不知如何为松，或肘腕指节等处不知如何为松，或练后掌心无鼓胀之意。此皆因无正宗老师传授，内劲则永远不会有，愈练愈离太极拳远矣。

Taichi 2008 Events

Here are the events that maybe interested to our taichi/taiji fans:

T'AI CHI MEET WITH MAGGIE NEWMAN
SATURDAY NOV 15, 2008
1 - 6 PM

AT CHILDREN'S AID SOCIETY, 219 SULLIVAN ST.
GREENWICH VILLAGE CENTER
(BETWEEN WEST 3RD AND BLEECKER ST.)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, 10012

FEE $12 (CORRECT CHANGE IS APPRECIATED.)

ENTRANCE IS AT 219 SULLIVAN STREET. AFTER ENTERING,
TURN RIGHT AND WALK OUTSIDE, THROUGH THE PLAY-
GROUND INTO THE BUILDING TO THE RIGHT. WALK UP THREE
FLIGHTS TO THE AUDITORIUM.

CLASSES: SUNDAY, NOV 16TH AT 537 BROADWAY.
10 - 11 BEGINNING, 11 - 12 CORRECTIONS ($11 EACH).
RING BUZZER #4 TWICE AND WALK TO THE 4TH FLOOR.

PLEASE DO NOT POST THIS NOTICE ON YOUR PRIVATE
WEB SITE WITHOUT THE PERMISSION FROM MAGGIE. SHE WOULD LIKE
NEW PARTICIPANTS TO BE ADEQUATELY TRAINED TO MAINTAIN
THE SAFETY AND HARMONY OF THE PREVIOUS MEETS.
THOSE TEACHERS WHO HAVE ATTENDED THE MEETS
BEFORE AND BROUGHT THEIR STUDENTS ARE WELCOME.

Taichi Fajing by Chen Xiu Huang

See the demo of the famous Chen style taiji practitioner from China.

How to Practice Taichi Fajing

This video shows how to practice the art of Taiji Fajing.

Budo Master

The Japanese Budo (Judo Mifune) can be compared to the Chinese Taiji. The key is still "song" (softness and relaxation)

OVERVIEW OF BEST PRACTICES IN TAIJI

This article was taken from the famous taiji master Yang Yang of Chen Taiji. His biography can be seen here at: http://www.chentaiji.com/about/yangyangbio.html
Here is the article in verbatim form:

A definition of “best practices” is a beginning point for this topic. I would define “best practices” as “those exercises which allow one to realize the maximum possible results in the shortest amount of time.” According to this definition, “efficient” is essentially synonymous with “best.” Throughout this paper I will therefore use the term “efficient” in place of “best.”

To design the most efficient route, one must also, of course, know the desired destination. The most efficient Taiji practices are intelligible only in terms of the desired goals of Taiji practice. We must first begin, then, with an understanding and recognition of the purpose or benefits of Taiji practice.

Potential Benefits of Taiji Practice

Table 1 summarizes some of the potential benefits of Taiji practice. I have divided the benefits into primary, secondary, and holistic categories. Although these categories are certainly not mutually exclusive, Taiji was created as a martial art, and so specific benefits that yield improvements in self-defense skill are listed as primary, while other specific therapeutic benefits are listed as secondary and broader benefits as holistic. By no means is this categorization intended to lessen the importance of any potential benefit—it is only to emphasize why the core exercises that constitute Taiji practice were initially created. The primary benefits of Taiji training are the skill variables that the Taiji training system was designed to enhance. Postural control and balance, flexibility, coordination, agility, strength and power, sensitivity and awareness, reaction time, and confidence—these are the gong, or essential foundational skills, developed through Taiji practice. They are the support and foundation for technique and therefore indispensable for martial skill—hence the many famous sayings in the internal martial arts tradition emphasizing the priority of gong, or foundation practice (as directly opposed to martial technique or trickery). At the same time, these benefits are fundamentally health issues, and understanding the primary
purpose of Taiji practice serves to dispel any confusion or differentiation as to whether Taiji is a martial art or health exercise.

Certainly if you begin Taiji practice hoping to improve or cure a specific medical condition, then that benefit is primary, not secondary, to you. Indeed, throughout Chinese martial arts history, many of the most famous practitioners were initially motivated to practice because of poor health. The holistic category lists benefits that are perhaps the least expected and most difficult to quantify, but sometimes recognized as the most significant in people’s lives.

Table 1

Select Potential Benefits of Taiji Practice

Primary
• Postural control/balance
• Flexibility
• Coordination
• Agility
• Strength/power
• Sensitivity/awareness
• Reaction time
• Confidence

(Skill-Related) Secondary
• Digestion/bowel function
• Cardio-respiratory function
• Immune system function
• Prevention or treatment of arthritis
• Cognitive function (e.g., attention, concentration, learning, memory)
• Prevention of osteoporosis

(Other Therapeutic) Holistic
• Physical improvements in multiple sclerosis patients
• Quality of sleep
• Avoidance or repair of stress related injuries/illness
• Social interaction/sense
of community
• Spiritual development (calmness/peace/tranquility)

The most efficient Taiji curriculum is that which will effectively and quickly yield improvements in these variables. At the same time, no program is broadly effective unless it is attractive to and adhered by the participants. The duration, frequency, and overall level of intensity and complexity of practice, and perceived improvement by each participant, are all variables affecting the rate of adherence. In short, any intervention or exercise must be enjoyed, and the participants must recognize the benefits.

Essential Curriculum

While the slow movement that is most commonly recognized as Taiji is certainly a cornerstone of Taijiquan training, it is only one aspect of the art. Paradoxically, one purpose of the slow movement is to increase both speed and accuracy. Chinese philosophy states that yin and yang are mutually dependent and evolve into one another. If you want one, you should start with its opposite—extreme hardness is born from extreme softness, extreme quickness comes from slowness. Of course, slow movement by itself is not so complete that it can efficiently yield all the benefits of the internal martial arts. Through the centuries, three pillars of Taiji practice have evolved to form an efficient curriculum:

- Qigong—Principally wuji sitting and standing meditation
- Taiji form—Mainly slow movement practice
- Push-hands—Two-person balance, strength, and reaction training

It is important to know that these exercises are interrelated and synergistic—each exercise builds upon skills developed from the others, and the combined effects of correct practice of all exercises are greater than practice of individual exercises.

Weiming Yuan Summer Workshop 2008

According to the source I got that Weiming Yuan will be visiting Minnesota for his 11th annual summer workshop, July 10-13, 2008. This year's workshop will focus on Weiming's and Mr Liu's exercises, form, push hands, and a new section on sword. Weiming is a gifted teacher who skillfully melds practice and theory.

The workshop will again be held at Macalester College, at which reasonably priced AC dorm rooms will be available. A limited amount of home hospitality will also be available. Macalester is convenient by bus & light rail, or taxi to Minneapolis-St Paul International Airport, Amtrak, Greyhound/Jefferson Busses, and I-94. The college is adjacent to many good restaurants and is in a scenic area of St Paul within walking distance of the bluffs of the Mississippi River.

Details are still being finalized, but I wanted you to know the dates as soon as we knew them. Plans are being drawn up for a second workshop location, on the east coast (not Detroit this year), that would take place the week after; I'll let you know when that is set.

Please contact Barbara Davis via email at editor@taijiquanjournal.com to be put on the information list. Enrollment will be limited to 30.

TAI CHI MAY IMPROVE DIABETES

According to British Journal of Sports Medicine, Taichi may improve Diabetes, see below:

TAI CHI MAY IMPROVE DIABETES

Tai Chi may improve the control of type 2 diabetes, suggests a report slated for publication in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

The research team assessed the impact of a 12 week program of Tai Chi exercises on 30 patients with type 2 diabetes and 30 healthy people of the same age.

After the 12 week program, glycated haemoglobin (when excess blood sugar combines with the oxygen transporter in red blood cells) levels fell significantly in the diabetic patients. In addition, levels of interleukin-12, which boosts the immune response, doubled. Levels of interleukin-4, which suppresses the immune response, fell. T cell activity also significantly increased.

The study’s authors speculate that Tai Chi may prompt a fall in blood glucose levels, or improve blood glucose metabolism, sparking a drop in the inflammatory response.

Alternatively, the exercise may boost fitness levels and the feeling of wellbeing, which may then boost the health of the immune system, they suggest.

British Journal of Sports Medicine – April 1, 2008 ;Epub.

bjsm.bmj.com

What is Taichi "Sung"?

I found this interesting article from taijiworld.com very funny, and it can be very beneficial to many practitioners. Here is the full article in verbatim form:

To Evaluate Your Internal Training
By Erle Montaigue. Head of the World Taiji Boxing Association (WTBA) (http://www.taijiworld.com) Friday, March 13, 1998

Here I will give a few of the things to look out for as you progress in your training. Many people wonder how they are going with their training and express to me often with regard to what they are feeling at certain stages in their training.

I will give some of the feelings that you must have in order to progress.

1. The vital spirit flows through your body. You will know when this is happening as it is quite astonishing. Doesn't matter if you are weak or have some illness, when you begin your training, perhaps the Taijiquan form, you come alive with this spirit. Call it God, call it qi, but it's there and once you have a normal flow of this spirit through your body, you just feel like nothing else and it is quite impossible to explain to others that feeling.

2. The body moves or seems to move by itself: This is a manifestation of the qi moving freely through the body. When the qi moves freely, the body moves freely without breaks or stops even when you are performing explosive movements. When the qi moves freely, the body moves freely, when the body moves freely the qi moves freely and smoothly.

3. The top is light while the lower is heavy: When the qi flows to the top of the head and is light, this gives the feeling of great stability as the body is in the state it should be in with yang under and yin upper. In this state, the body does not lean to or fro nor backward or forward. The body feels like it is rooted into the ground, even when you are standing on one leg to kick slowly, your leg will raise as if it could stay there forever and you can stand down again without hurrying because your balance is perfect.

4. You can distinguish not only between yin and yang of hand and foot, but also between both hands and both feet: The qi is lively and sprightly causing your hands and feet to move independently of each other and also both hands move independently as do both feet. As your whole body changes internally and externally between yin and yang, you feel this and know because of this feeling. This is "Small Frame Form".

5. You can change from the circle to the square without stopping and visa-versa. The hands move in circles always, the feet move in circles and squares. But eventually there is no difference between the circle and the square as the movement is so perfect.

6. Strike using sung: When you strike in any way, it must be in total 'sung'. The closest that we have in the way of translation to sung is 'to relax'. However, this is incorrect. I use a phrase to translate 'sung'. When you can move without feeling the joints moving, then you are in sung. Your qi and weight must be sunk to the tantien and thus to the ground so that you not only have the power of the punch, but also the power of the ground. In this way we can punch from very small distances and still have great power. Yin and Yang must be divided when striking and they must be able to change in an instance to accommodate the changes in the attacker.

7. Your whole body must be connected when moving the qi: If one part of your body moves, so too does the whole of your body. It is said that the 9 joints must be connected. They are: Wrist, elbow, shoulder, 2 X hip, 2 X knee and 2 X ankle. Although I always take this a step further to include the whole body moving as one unit.

8. Softness on the outside with inside hard: You must have flexibility with no rigidity. There must be an internal tension which causes the qi to move, which in turn causes the body to move continuously and in harmony without external tension.

9. You must feel like the cat pouncing on the mouse or the hawk taking the rabbit during form: This is an idea that is expressed to show how we must perform the form. In other words, we do not perform form with a blank expression on our faces. Each movement has its own personality and this must be expressed in the face. However, it must be a lively and confident face, which will then show in the movements you are performing.

10. Your must feel the wave: This is one of the most important aspects of form training. It's like a wave moving out from the tantien area, up and outward along both arms. Each movement and posture expresses this aspect. In the beginning the waves are large and rounded as in the (Waving Form). But as you progress, the waves become smaller and smaller until they are not seen by the human eye. Only you know that they are there.

11. Form has calmness and explosive energy: The form is often said to be like the great river. The great river is not all calmly flowing as many have incorrectly stated. The great river is calmly flowing in parts and treacherous in others. This gives us the idea that Taijiquan is not all slowly moving. There are times when the whole body explodes in an energy releasing action that causes the whole body to vibrate, then it slips back into slow relaxed movements again. These energy release points are all along the form and are there for a reason. You cannot take any more qi in if you do not release some. Like a pressure cooker has a release valve so too do we during form practice. The 'Fa-jing' movements are placed at strategic points during the form to allow the qi to escape so that new qi can enter. This is the nature of the "Old Yang Style". The quiet times during practice are for 'gathering the qi' while the fa-jing times are for release.

12. Every forward step and every backward step: Must have folding. This is another way of saying that each movement must have the wave. In attack we must have both centrifugal and centripetal force, this is the nature of yin and yang. So when we attack, we must have in mind retreat to revolve the qi back onto the attacker and also to gather the qi back for re-attack.

13. Strike from the spine: The arms hang from the spine. When the spine is turned, so too do the arms only if they are 'connected internally'. The power must not come from the arms alone, but from the turning of the spine and the gathering of the qi into the spine by com pressing the vertebra firstly, then expanding them to release the qi as we attack.

14. Stepping is both yin and yang: You must be aware of when you step forward, your foot is firstly yin shaped, then it is yang shaped. This is the way a cat walks, ever vigilant internally and sub-consciously so that if there is danger it moves without thinking.

If you are able to get only one of the above correct, then you are said to be knocking on the door of Taijiquan.

When you can get two of the above correct, you are said to be looking through the keyhole of the door.

When you get three correct, you are able to open the door just slightly to see a thin ray of light on the other side.

When you get four correct, you can push the door a little more to look through at some objects on the other side.

When you have five correct, you can push your leg through the door.

When you get six correct you can open the door a little further and push your head through to see what is on the other side.

When you have seven correct, you can push your shoulders through the door.

When you have eight correct you can push your chest through the door.

When you have nine correct you can walk through the door but the light has not been turned on.

When you have ten correct, you can just make out some objects as your eyes accustom to the light.

When you have eleven correct, you can walk across the room carefully seeing with your hands as you walk.

When you have twelve correct you can light a candle.

When you have thirteen correct the light begins to grow brighter and you are able to see some definite objects.

And when you have fourteen correct, you can knock on the second door!

Taichi Knee Quote By William C C Chen

Many of us who practice Taichi know that if we don't do Taichi the right way, our knees can gave in and give us problem in the future. Here is the quote from the famous William C C Chen regarding Taichi Knee I found it worth while to read and learn from it:

In recent years, there are many tai chi chuan players that have knee problems. This may be the result of over-relaxation of the knee and collapsing and sinking too much on the rooted leg. Without the countervailing support of a firmly rooted foot, it places undue stress on the knee joint. Over time, such over-relaxation or collapsing may lead to weakening of the sartorius muscle and other related muscles which support the knee, causing them to strain to relieve the pressure on the knees resulting from the weight of the upper body. Rooting with the three active nails and allowing the signal to transmit adequate muscle energy to protect the knee from the pressure caused by downward pulling gravity.

(William C C Chen)

Taiji Notes From Dong YingJie (T'ung Ying-Chieh)

I was searching around for how to better practice taiji, then I got these taichi practice notes from T'ung Ying-chieh (Dong YingJie), one of Yang Chengfu's two top disciples. I just want to share them with my readers:

Talking about Taijiquan in lieu of practicing apparently is not restricted to the state of the art here today. Tung Ying Jie advised students several decades ago that, in the beginning, a student should concentrate on listening and learning the correct forms from a competent master before getting too involved in pointless discussions on theory or the philosophy of Taiji. A certain maturity of practice is needed for one to be able to comprehend and discuss principles of the practice. There is no shortcut around long, hard, lonely practice.
* * * * *
"The key point is that you have to learn the real Taijiquan from a good teacher. Without grasping the main points of Taijiquan, its effects, for the most part, will not be better than common physical exercise. Consequently, you will not realize benefits in this most subtle art even though you have been practising it for tens of years. If your method of practice is correct, you can also learn some skills of self defense besides its significant health effects. Some people are skeptical about the martial arts effects of Taijiquan. They think that Taijiquan is of no use in real
fighting. This is only because their knowledge about Taijiquan is too superficial and they haven't got a good teacher to teach them."
* * * * *
"Taijiquan belongs to the internal school of Chinese martial arts. The strength used in Taijiquan is created by the bones, but the jin (trained strength) is stored in the tendons. The main purpose is to sink the internal qi and consolidate the bones."
* * * * *
"To loosen the shoulders and drop the elbows means not to concentrate the force at the back of the shoulders. Actually, the strength is transmitted through the upper part of the forearm."

Old Wu style Taijiquan

Pay attention to its single weight movement. He is very stable and "song".

Yang Chengfu Taiji Forms (楊澄甫)

(楊澄甫)Yang Chengfu's rare taiji form pictures

Northern Wu style Taijiquan

The old master in practice.

2008 Tai Chi (Taiji) Events

US Taichi/Taiji Seminar: First Announcement (please mark your calendars)

Master Zhang Yun

Student of the late GM Wang Peisheng, Yin Cheng Gong Fa System

Northern Wu Style Taiji Quan and Weaponry


May 3-4, 2008; Frederick, Maryland

This seminar will be held in a large gymnasium (6,000+ sq ft).



Sat 10:00am-5:30am (2 x 3 hr sessions)

Sun 10:00am-5:30am (2 x 3 hr sessions)



Both days (all 4 sessions, 12 hrs): $180

One day (or any two sessions, 6 hrs): $100

One session (3 hrs): $60

Beginners are welcome and will be accorded special instruction by Master Zhang and his senior instructors, as needed.

Curriculum for all will include advanced material on Wu style taiji form, push hands, applications, and weaponry (jian & spear).

A second announcement will follow in a few weeks with directions to the site, accomodations, and a detailed curriculum.

Further information: Paul Cote, att8@verizon.net





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Tai Chi Fundamentals Professional Training Workshop: Levels One and Two

March 29-30, 2008 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with Patricia Culotti, & Michael Culotti, LAc
April 26-27, 2008 Madison, Wisconsin, with Patricia Culotti & Michael Culotti
Prerequisite: None
Wisconsin Physical Therapy Association has also approved these workshops 12 continuing education credit.
National Certification Commission on Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine has approved these workshops for 13 PDA’s (Professional Development Activity points)

Tai Chi Fundamentals Professional Training Workshop: Level Three

May 3-4, Waukesha, Wisconsin, Instructors: Patricia Culotti & Michael Culotti
Prerequisite: proficiency in elements taught in Levels One and Two,
Wisconsin Physical Therapy Association has also approved these workshops 12 continuing education credit.
National Certification Commission on Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine has approved these workshops for 13 PDA’s (Professional Development Activity points)

TCF is designed as a prequel to the CMC lineage form. If you are a CMC lineage instructor, you will find this program very useful for teaching basic movements and principles to beginners— as well as to those who have learned the entire form.

Information on this and all upcoming workshops and intensives is posted on our web sites www.enhancingbalance.com and www.taichihealth.com , too.
Please feel free to call with any questions; 262-662-1060.




Patricia Culotti
262-662-1060
Enhancing Balance
www.EnhancingBalance.com
Pat@Enhancingbalance.com



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Wu Dang Martial Art Workshops

With Master Liu Xiao Ling

March 15 & 16, 2008

64 Zhang Straight Bagua

2-Day Workshop

Saturday Parts 1

Sunday Parts 2

3:00 – 5:00 pm

Tuition: $150.00 for BOTH Days

it will be held at the Dance Exchange 7117 Maple Ave in Takoma Park, MD.

email wudangmartialarts@gmail.com to register.

Prior registration is required (early payment not necessary but you cannot show up at the door to register -- we need a body count for the space available.)


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WAY OF THE IMMORTALS: IN SEARCH OF THE PEACH BLOSSOM SPRING

A weekend seminar with Dr. Jay Dunbar,

February 23-24

East Haddam CT.



Schedule and Cost

Saturday, February 23, 2008 9:00 to 12:00 and 2:00 to 5:00;

Sunday, February 24, 2008 9:00 to 3:00



FEE: Prior to February 15: $180.00 After February 15: $200.00

Send registration and $50 deposit to:

Peaceful Wolf T'ai Chi Chuan

85 Tater Hill Road East Haddam, CT 06423



FURTHER INFORMATION

Email: davidtai@peacefulwolftaichi.com

Phone: Cell Phone 860-334-8488

Join us for two days of qigong and taiji exercise designed to prepare us for long and healthy lives-- not just this year but for as many years as you can imagine... Master Jou Tsung Hwa always said "I've lived 70 (71, 72 etc) years: I have the experience. So I know how to live another 70 (71, 72...) years! Taijiquan and qigong are famous for improving health and lengthening life. Individuals who became "Immortals" (Xianren) throughout Chinese history have practiced certain exercises and meditations focused on these goals. This weekend we will join their company, and set our sights on immortality (or at least healthy longevity) through practices designed to offer daily purification and renewal. We will use the Yi Jing (Book of Changes) for this purpose, introduce other ancient texts, stories, and poems as guides, and learn or refresh Stroking the Long Beard, Microcosmic Orbit Meditation, Meridian Internal Massage, Golden Bell and One Moon qigong, etc. Each participant will adopt the persona of a famous immortal from Chinese mythic history... so come be an Immortal for a weekend-- it may become habit-forming!


hosted by Shifu David Shaver of the Peaceful Wolf School in East Haddam CT.

http://www.peacefulwolftaichi.com/body_workshops.html#ImmortalsDrJ


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February 28, 2008 “The Way of Qigong,” Free Public Lecture

March 1-2, 2008 Coiling Silk Qigong Workshop

Association for Research and Enlightenment in Virginia Beach, Virginia

Kenneth Cohen will be doing a free public lecture, “The Way of Qigong,” on Thursday February 28, 2008, at 7:00 p.m. and a workshop on Coiling Silk Qigong on Saturday and Sunday, March 1-2, 2008. Both will be held at the Association for Research and Enlightenment in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Coiling Silk Qigong is an excellent practice for personal well-being and a powerful way to improve your skill level in taiji, Yoga, or any sport. Its emphasis on inner harmony and supple strength also make it a great introduction to the principles of Daoist mind/body cultivation. The course will include intensive practice, clear explanations, and discussion. It is open to beginners; no previous experience is needed. This is an excellent opportunity to try qigong for the first time. Advanced students will benefit as well. The space available forces us to limit enrollment. Register early to reserve a place.

Kenneth Cohen is winner of the Alyce and Elmer Green Award for Innovation and Lifetime Achievement in Energy Medicine, and is an internationally renowned health educator and Qigong Master with more than forty years experience. He is director of the Qigong Research & Practice Center in Colorado. Ken’s work has been sponsored by the American Cancer Society, the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture, the Canadian Ministry of Health, and numerous universities. One of nine exceptional healers studied by the Menninger Clinic, Ken is considered a world leader in the dialogue between Eastern wisdom and Western science.



For further information or to register contact: Donald Davis, (757) 533-9092, dondavis@verizon.net

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March 15th

The Greater Washington Area Spring Push-hands Get-together

The Greater Washington Area Spring Push-hands Get-together

is on Saturday, March 15th, 2008 from 2:00pm to 6:00pm.

It will be held at Lakewood Elementary School.

2534 Lindley Terrace Rockville, MD 20850.

The fee at the door is $8

Contact

Joanne Chang

Joanne@wuweitaichi.com

301-251-2345

cell 240-418-5064

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Maryland Weekend Workshop with Lenzie Williams
Professor Cheng Man-Ch’ing’s Simplified T’ai Chi Ch’uan
March 15-16, 2008
Kensington & Glen Echo, Maryland

Schedule and Cost
Saturday, March 15, 2008: Kensington, MD
9:30–12:30 Warm-ups, meditation and correction of the form through Cross Hands. $90.
2:30–4:30 Correction of postures and transitions in the entire form. $60.

Sunday, March 16, 2008: Glen Echo, MD Prior attendance at both Saturday classes required.
9:30–12:00 Correction of postures with Push Hands exercises $75.
1:30–4:30 Free Push Hands. $90.

INSTRUCTOR
Lenzie Williams has studied with Ben Lo for over 30 years. In the last 20 years he has developed his own reputation as a practitioner and teacher of t’ai chi both here and abroad. He is known for his faithfulness to Mr. Lo’s tradition in teaching the form, and for providing a safe and cooperative context for learning Push Hands.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Prior registration is required. For information about registration, lodging and workshop location, please contact Ellen Kennedy, Glen Echo T'ai Chi, at emearskenn@aol.com or 301-320-9014.



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March 15-16, 2008 , Asheville , NC

Grandmaster Jiang's HPA regiment/Qigong and Taijiquan

led by Master Mark Small of Lung Shan Gong Fu

23 Utopia Rd. Asheville , NC . 28805

msmall@main.nc.us

*828-285-2929*

www.main.nc.us/mtndragon

Location: New Sheraton Inn (the old downtown Best Western beside

I-240, across from the YMCA)

* SATURDAY *

9:00 - 10:00am Private Instruction with Mark in Qigong and/or

Taijiquan (Sign up required)

10:00 - Noon Principles of Breathing - Macro/Micro Orbit

*Qi Amplifying Warm-Ups* & Silk Reeling /Chansigong/

5 Bows & 3 Trees of your body, Stances, Stepping, & Crane Walking

Noon - 2:00pm LUNCH at the Sheraton "Chop House"

- Portabella mushroom sandwiches and a vegetable plate, meat if you like

2:00 - 3:30pm *Taiji for Heart, Lung & Intestines *

Principles of Yang & Sun Styles Taijiquan

Stances & stepping; cross-lateral upper & lower body separation;

suspending your elbows

Yang Chen Fu's "Ten Essentials" & Abbreviated form - Section 1 of 3

Small Group Testing/Review

3:30 - 5:00pm *Principles of Yin-Yang/Medical Qigong *

Regulate your alignment & posture; your I, Jin, & Shen; opening &

closing dan tien & kua for qi circulation;

"Ke" - heart, "Si" - lungs, "Xi" - intestines

Review of daily activities

* SUNDAY *

9:00 - 10:00am Private Instruction with Mark in Qigong and/or

Taijiquan (Sign up required)



10:00 - Noon Principles of Breathing - Macro/Micro Orbit

*Qi Amplifying Warm-Ups* & Silk Reeling /Chansigong/



5 Bows & 3 Trees of your body, Stances, Stepping, & Crane Walking



* Qigong for Arthritis *



Noon - 2:00pm LUNCH at the Sheraton "Chop House"



- Portabella mushroom sandwiches and a vegetable plate, meat if you

like



2:00 - 3:30pm Small Group Testing/Review



3:30 - 5:00pm *Principles of Yang & Sun Styles Taijiquan *



Stances & stepping; cross-lateral upper & lower body separation;

suspending your elbows



Yang Chen Fu's "Ten Essentials" & Abbreviated form - Section 1 of 3



Review of daily activities

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March 30 – April 5, 2008

Workshop with Livia Kohn & Donald Davis

Virginia Beach, VA

Livia Kohn and Donald Davis will be conducting a workshop on Daoism and internal cultivation from March 30 – April 5, 2008 in Virginia Beach. This will be an intensive experience in which participants and workshop leaders will live together for six days in a fabulous villa on the oceanfront learning and practicing Daoist methods of internal cultivation including taiji, qigong, Daoyin exercises, and several forms of meditation. All meals will be created from recipes borrowed from Daoist temples and monasteries in China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. This workshop is almost full.

Livia Kohn, Ph. D., is a professor of Religion and East Asian Studies at Boston University. A specialist in medieval China, she has spent many years pursuing research on medieval Daoism and Chinese long life practices. She has written and edited over twenty books, organized numerous conferences and workshops, and is one of the world’s foremost translators and interpreters of ancient Daoist practice manuals and texts.

Donald Davis, Ph.D., is an award winning teacher, researcher and consultant who is a professor of psychology and Asian Studies at Old Dominion University. He specializes in the study and practice of personal and organizational transformation and has lectured, conducted workshops, and consulted widely throughout Asia, Europe and North America. He has been a practitioner and teacher of Daoist inspired arts such as taijiquan and qigong for many years and teaches them at Tidewater Tai Chi Center (www.tidewatertaichi.com) in Norfolk and Virginia Beach.

For further information or to register contact: Donald Davis, (757) 533-9092, dondavis@verizon.net

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Weekend Workshop with Lenzie Williams

Professor Cheng Man-Ch’ing’s Simplified T’ai Chi Ch’uan

April 26-27, 2008

Asheville, NC

Schedule and Cost

Saturday, April 26, 2008

9:30–12:30 Warmups, meditation and correction of the form through Cross Hands. $90.

2:30–4:30 Correction of postures and transitions in the entire form. $60.

Sunday, April 27, 2008 Prior attendance at both Saturday classes required.

10:00–12:00 Push Hands exercises. $60.

1:30–4:30 Free Push Hands. $90.

INSTRUCTOR

Lenzie Williams has studied with Ben Lo for over 30 years. In the last 20 years he has developed his own reputation as a practitioner and teacher of t’ai chi both here and abroad. He is known for his faithfulness to Mr. Lo’s tradition in teaching the form, and for providing a safe and cooperative context for learning Push Hands.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Prior registration is required. For information about registration, lodging and workshop location, please contact Crayton Bedford at cbtaichi@charter.net or (828) 230-0529.

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June 1st, 2008

An Afternoon of Tai Chi Chuan with

Grand Master William C. C. Chen

Form, Push Hands, Sword, Applications will be covered

Location: Lifebridge Health & Fitness

in Woodholme Center

one block North of 695 on Reisterstown Road.

Sunday June 1st, 2008

12-Noon till 4:00pm

Contact:

Louis Gabriele at 410-833-3967 or email at lougabriele@comcast.net


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Sept. 24 -28 th,2008 in Frederick ,Maryland

- G.M Chen Yun Ching will do five days of seminars in Frederick,Maryland in Chen Pan Ling Taiji Quan/ Hsing-I /Ba-Gua/ Sword form/Shaolin/ ect. exact curriculum for each day please call John Scott -240-409-3709 - sifuscott@mac.com -www.chepanlingmd.com

- G.M Chen is the son & heir to all of his famous father Chen Pan Ling Martial & Meditative Systems & this is only his second visit to the U.S .Sifu scott is the runs the Maryland chapter of the Chen Pan Ling International Martial Arts Foundation.

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

Free T'ai Chi Beginners' Practice

Every Saturday morning in McLean, Virginia.

All are welcome.

(You do not have to be enrolled in our regular classes to attend.)

We will mostly be doing the beginners' set

of Prof. Cheng Man-ch'ing's Yang style short form.

For details and directions, please visit

www.TaiChiCenter.com

or call 703-759-9141.

Sponsored by the T'ai Chi Study Center.

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

Cheng Man-ch'ing Yang style t'ai chi / No charge

with Dr. David Walls-Kaufman

Saturday morning

8 - 9 Form class and practice

9 - 10 Push hands practice,

Lincoln Park, Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C., 11th and East Capitol St., SE, 20003.

Info: 202.544.6035.

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Opportunity to study tai chi and qi gong in Carroll County, MD.

Three years ago, September 2004, Frances Lea Gander relocated from Sykesville, MD to near Athens, OH. Three of Frances Gander's senior tai chi students created a tai chi and qi gong study group to keep the practice going in Carroll Co. We take turns leading classes in Finksburg on Monday evenings. Usually all three of us are there so that, after the warm-ups, we break up into 2 or 3 smaller groups to work with students at different levels. New students are welcome at any time; we have flexibility because of multiple instructors.

We practice tai chi as transmitted to us by our teacher Frances Lea Gander, who learned from the late Grandmaster Chian Ho Yin of Taiwan and Milwaukee, WI. We usually begin with warms up, the Eight Pieces of Brocade (Qi Gong), Master Yin's Continuous Form, and Northern Yang (Old Style) Tai Chi C'huan.

Where: Cedarhurst Unitarian Universalist, Club House Rd., Finksburg, MD

When: Monday evenings from 6:45 pm to 8:30 pm (or a little later sometimes)

How much: $5 per class on a drop-in basis

($4 is a tax-deductible contribution to CUU; $1 is for a tai chi fund used to defray cost of holding occasional special classes with guest teachers, such as Frances Gander)


For more information please contact Maureen Harvey at Maureen.harvey@jhuapl.edu or Evenings (410) 795-3117
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%


Open Push Hands (PH) at Wu Shen Tao

Tuesday evenings from 7:00 to 9:00



This opportunity is FREE and OPEN to all levels of PH players, beginners are encouraged to participate.



This Open PH venue will be hosted by Paul Ramos, George Harris, and

Alexander (Roots) King.

Location.

"The Dance Exchange",

7117 Maple Ave,

Takoma Park, Maryland.

It is 2 blocks from the Takoma Park Metro Station.

Indoor Shoes Required: There is one caveat, "The Dance Exchange"

requires that all participants wear nonstreet shoes. This

translates as each player must push hands in shoes only used indoors, or

socks. "The Dance Exchange" has to protect its custom dance floor from

the dirt and abrasion of street side shoes.


Contact:

John Lomas

at 202-462-8695 or Cell 202-549-8321.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%





Push-Hands Get-Togethers in Philadelphia



*second* Saturdays of each month

from 1:30 - 5:00pm in Philadelphia's Old City.



For more details, please visit :

http://www.martnet.com/~swampkat/taichi

or contact:



Kirsten Erwin

610-622-2007

mailto:swampkat@martnet.com



Robert Kline

610-891-1144

mailto:rkline@wcupa.ed

GRANDMASTER HUANG SHENG SHYAN push hands

Cheng Man Ching Tai Chi Sword Form

Watch how professor practice the sword form. It is nicely done and very "song".

Taichi / Taiji Habits

In order to gain more insights to the Taichi world, I have found that having some good Taichi habits are important in our daily lives in additional to our practice routines.

Good Habits are:
1. Constantly thinking relaxing yourself while you are standing and sitting.
2. Lay flat your feet while sitting, just touching the ground not grasping the ground.
3. Use taichi principles while walking and running, walk like a cat.
4. Use two hands simultaneously in moving in the same direction.
5. Have yin-yang while standing on either foot.
6. Do your forms every day, don't go to sleep until the form is done.

Develop your own Taichi habits are as important as doing your forms daily. Happy Taiching!

Classical Tai Chi - Tao of Martial Arts Applications

Internal Discipline in Tai Chi Walk

TAI CHI SQUARE & ROUND FORM -- MASTER STEPHEN HWA

论太极拳的松功——祝大彤

论太极拳的松功——祝大彤
什么是太极门松功呢？松功是太极拳练家终生追求，一世修炼最高境界的功法。简洁
的说，松功是内外双修，内求心神意念放松，神经安舒，头脑清静；先求心意松，而后肢体松，从脚到顶，脚、踝、膝、胯、腰、肩、肘、腕、手等九大关节松开，且节节贯串，举动轻柔，顶上虚灵，周身全体不着力，形于手指，肢体肌肤干净。
　　太极拳的体能要求九大关节放松，还要求溜臀、裹裆、收腹、舒展前胸、圆背，而关
键是吸收胸窝，收吸小腹两侧的腹股沟。拳论明示：“关节要松，皮毛要攻，节节贯串，虚灵在中。”太极拳盘拳练功举动必须轻灵，这是太极拳之特性。要按照太极拳的拳理拳法、阴阳学说规范动作，循规蹈矩，一丝不苟，否则将一事无成，一生盲练。
　　笔者有幸见到过京城已故三位太极拳名家：寿星——太极拳大师吴图南；松柔艺术大
师杨禹廷；杨式太极拳在京掌门汪永泉大师。他们的人生道路不同，文化素养各异，但他们的松柔功法艺术相似，令人叹为观止。
　　素有松柔艺术大师美誉的杨禹廷大师，其松功达到自然空无之境界。他坐在那里跟别
的老人没什么两样，你只要想到他是太极拳大师，精神与老人家结合上，即刻你的精神世界便会起变化，你会发现坐着的不是一位老人，而似衣服架上挂着一件空空的衣服，你想过去摸摸这件“衣服”，突然会脚下出了轴，站立不稳，飘浮起来。他老人家用老式八仙桌（比当代桌要高一些），将左手放在桌面，手背朝上，让我按。轻轻摸上手背， 感觉胸口一紧，直上直下蹿起一米多高。当我还没有明白过来时候，老拳师笑笑说：“咱这是玩艺儿。”在拳场，老拳师作“收势”，左右伸展两臂，一边三四个人拉拽，前边推胸，后边推腰，前后左右有十人之众，都未感觉老拳师有什么动作，顿觉头脑一片空白，脚下飘浮，一一摔跌出去。
　　早在七十年代，在杨禹廷大师家中，我就急于想求到松柔功夫。可老拳师明示，要我
扎扎实实循规蹈矩练拳。大师语重心长地说：“咱这太极拳就是两个势子——一阴一阳，一通百通。”事隔三十年，偶然在一篇文章中见到太极名家杨振基先生说：“推手不能长功夫，功夫是拳上练出来的，不是推手推出来的。”一位是吴式太极拳宗师，一位是杨式太极拳名家。“一长一少同一祖宗，练法不同，而谈经论道体验相同，道出太极拳训练之真谛。
　　太极拳博大精深，难求不好练。台湾一位太极名拳家认为，不能专心技艺之苦练，其
成功率仅为百分之一二，其余皆成就渺茫。笔者认为，凡盲练者，对太极拳不具深刻的认识，对拳之意义理解肤浅，有甚者，打了几天拳或根本不练拳而热衷于推手，推来推去，只是摇头摆尾，闪腰挪胯，有了一些灵活的小窍门，拙法加本力而已。走上一条与太极拳拳理相悖的弯曲小径。
　　杨禹廷大师，一生与太极拳结下不解之缘，每天盘拳不辍。在他９６岁仙逝的那天上
午还在练拳。老拳师终生研修太极拳，一代宗师，堪称楷模。有没有练拳练出松柔功夫的？有！杨禹廷大师晚年期间用短短几年时间培养出几位松功较好的学生。他的长孙，青年太极拳家杨鑫荣，就是松功、技击比较全面的佼佼者。他刻苦用功，夏天练拳，手指往下滴汗，汗水湿满拳场；冬季不论大雪封路，寒风刺骨，每晚都在京皇城下，单鞋光手盘拳，浑身发热，手冒热气。
　　杨鑫荣对太极拳道深入研习，悟性好，周身松空，穿着上衣，袖筒里空空的不像有胳
膊，倘若站在他身面前，腿软打晃，进也进不来，跑又跑不了。杨鑫荣在爷爷的点拨下，潜心研修，不负众望，掌握太极松柔和技击功夫比较全面。他带领３０多名学生，训练从实战出发，从不假作让手，客气出招，技击场上实打实，动真格的，不管你是谁，拿着什么器械从四面八方袭来，都讨不到便宜。青年太极拳家把握了“以静制动，后发先至，阴阳相济”，“一处有一处虚实处处总此一虚实”，“动急则急应，动缓则随缓”等拳之真谛。那么，怎样练松功呢？
　　１、拳里出松功
　　既然太极功夫是拳里出来的，所以每一位练家应当重视拳架修炼，按太极拳理、阴阳
学说规范，不得贪多求快，绝不允抡着两只胳膊臂瞎练。首先作好无极式，脚、踝、膝、胯、腰、肩、肘、腕、手等肢体的九大关节要节节松开，且节节贯串。肢体上的几个重要部位，在练拳时也要放松。诸如溜臀、裹裆、收腹、展胸、圆背、弛项、收吸左右腹股沟，吸收胸窝，顶上要虚灵。总结起来，称谓“九松十要一虚灵”为松柔之本。这种 放松虚灵状态贯串盘拳始终，而手不着力，犹为食指轻轻扶着套路路线，体味太极拳独有的弧形路线，长此以往，松柔功夫定能上身，拙力自然退去。坚持下去其妙无穷。
　　２、三不动
　　练拳最忌三动，即意动、主动、乱动。拳理规范三不动，即不要有动意，不要主动，
不要乱动。君不见公园常有练太极拳，闪腰挪胯，摇头摆尾，晃身动膀，这样行功有悖拳理拳法。正确练拳行功收腹空胸，空腰圆背，上下左右，前进后退，全然靠两腿的重心阴阳变转，身躯不动循规蹈距易出功夫。
　　有一次笔者应邀到江南某市讲学，中午在某酒楼用餐。很巧，也有十几位太极拳爱好
者请来拳师用餐。席间，一位青年将拳师按于椅间请老师起来。可这位拳师起身蹬脚，摇肩欲起，可惜，摇晃一阵子，也未能站起来。有一位长者，问我们这桌的某师，能否也请那位拳师小试身手。在征得同意后，那位青年练家走过来，将左手按在某师左胸，右手按卡在右肩被按在椅子上不能动得。某师哈哈一笑，轻轻松松从椅子上站立起来，按者向后跳出去。
　　这个道理很简单。按常人理解，一个人７０公斤，加下按之力７０公斤，大约１４０
公斤，若挣脱对方， 要具备２８０公斤的力方可站起来。而太极拳松功，脚下一松，用点阴阳变化，使对方按空了，脚下飘浮，不用斤两之力，轻松而起。站立之条件是身不动，也没有动意。如主动乱动想站，是很难站立起来的，这是太极松柔之理。
　　３、立柱式身形
　　王宗岳公论及双重之病曰：“每见数年纯功，不能运化者，率皆自为人制，双重之病
未悟耳。”盘拳技击均不可双重，拳理规范单腿重心，杨禹廷大师称之为“立柱式身形”。立柱式身形就是脚与顶的上下一条线，“上下相随人难进，”便于修炼中正安舒，方位方向清楚准确，前时后退川子步，实脚实足，虚脚虚净，变化灵活，利于太极脚的弧形运动，符合阴阳变化之理。
　　４、脚下双轻
　　太极拳的根本在脚下，也就是“太极脚”。拳论云：“其根在脚，形于手指……由脚
而腿而腰，总须完整一气。”脚下双轻，自然轻灵，自然腾虚，对方必定失去重心，飘浮而起。这是练拳者双脚自然平松落地，脚趾亦应自然节节放松舒展行功。如果找不到感觉，请踩上加厚地毯，也许对你会有帮助。日久，脚下自有双轻之感，身体结构的变化告诉你，你的身上松出来了。
　　５、跳舞和悬垂
　　经过努力，身上仍然僵紧难以放松下来，笔者劝你暂停下来，到晨练舞场看一看，为
什么我一个人难以放松，而舞者两个人踩着音乐的拍节轻快和谐，翩翩起舞。不要以为练拳人跳舞不好意思，请看截拳道开山李小龙大师，在拉丁舞场取得香港恰恰舞金牌，此举对他在武功的道路上助了一臂之力。
　　为了体验九大关节放松，节节贯串的感觉，可以在单杠、树叉、门框以及方便的地方
作悬垂，自然松垂，有益松肩。
　　６、关于松肩
　　肩在拳论经典哲学著作中落笔不多。太极拳十分重视松肩，常将松肩和垂肘联系在一
起。松肩垂肘是不是 松功大成呢？不能这样认识。笔者谈的松肩不是一般的松肩，不是肩的小灵活，小窍门。在技击场上，能以晃肩、摇肩、躲肩“化解”对方来力。松肩不是这般容易，从脚到手九大关节不放松，不能达到节节贯串，单独去松肩是不可能的。而松肩是周身空松后的最终功成。
　　已故太极拳松柔艺术大师杨禹廷的肩是个空的，以手去按会像跌入深谷，没有底。他
的长孙杨鑫荣先生，穿着上衣，袖筒里似没有肩肘和大小臂，松肩跟收吸胸窝是密不可分的，肩真正松开，按之有追不上的感觉。拳友可以在实践中体验。肩是身体的一部分，整体松柔功夫达到上乘，肩自然放松。说到底，还是要在拳里修炼。
　　太极拳博大精深，说到根子上是“道法自然”。只要修炼方法对路，在明师指点下得
到松功并不难。

Tai Chi and Full Body Power

祝大彤先生2007年5月第二届自然太极拳年会上讲座、示范3zh

Tai Chi and Circular power

One Reason Tai Chi is done slowly

Tai Chi, The Pyramid View of the Body, and grounding

Pushed to the Limit: One Hundred Years of Traditional Taiji Training

A conversation with Master Dong Zeng Chen

This book grew out of a conversation between Master Dong Zeng Chen, his disciple Chip Ellis and Karl Chang, a longtime student of Dong style Taijiquan who acted as translator. Karl began his studies of Taiji with Grandmaster Dong Fu Ling in 1972 and often acted as his translator. His fluency as a native speaker of Mandarin Chinese combined with his thorough understanding of the principles of Taiji made him the perfect translator for this discussion of Master Dong Zeng Chen's early training as a third-generation Taiji master.

All of us felt a certain urgency about recording this information, as there are very few people alive today who received this sort of traditional training passed down in a direct lineage. Certainly there will be fewer still in the future. These words represent an almost verbatim translation of over four hours of taped conversation.

I grew up surrounded by people who had devoted their lives to the martial arts. My home town in Hebei Province, Xingtai Territory, Xin Prefecture has been recognized for generations throughout China for its high concentration of martial artists. Every village had martial arts classes, with many different styles being taught. The various schools practiced separately but all of them got together for Chinese New Year celebrations. They demonstrated for each other, and sometimes one school boasted that their style was better than some other style, which resulted in a fighting demonstration.

These contests involved both internal and external styles. The external hard schools used knives and spears and maces against each other. Sometimes the contest would get out of hand and spill over into the audience, like rugby today. Usually there were no deaths, but a lot of people got hurt. This kind of contest was still going on after I was born and during my early childhood.

The Dong family Taiji history began with my grandfather, Dong Ying Jie, who was a top disciple of Yang Cheng Fu. For ten years, he traveled with Yang Cheng Fu throughout China, teaching the art of Taiji to the people and taking on challenges on behalf of the Yang school. In those days, the teaching was very formal. Teachers commanded a great deal of respect. When my grandfather began teaching on his own, he was treated with the same respect. His students were not allowed to talk; they had to listen with their heads down and do whatever their teacher said, with no questions. When Yang Cheng Fu taught he gave his heavy full-length brocade coat to my grandfather to hold. Dong Ying Jie would stand like a coatrack, with the coat over his arm, in Peng posture, for two hours while Master Yang instructed. After many years, his Peng was incredibly strong.

Both my uncle, Dong Jun Ling and my father, Dong Fu Ling learned Taiji from my grandfather at our home in Hebei Province. In 1948, my father and his three brothers left Hebei for Hong Kong in order to escape the civil war. After the liberation, in 1950, my uncles came back to Hebei but my father stayed on in Hong Kong.

Even before I began to be formally taught Taiji, I would follow my father's disciples around and practice with them. All my friends were doing the same thing; many of their fathers were masters too. In 1956, when I was nine years old, my uncle began to teach me, or rather to re-teach me. At that time, I knew the whole Slow Set but had never had any formal corrections. Shortly after my uncle began to teach us, he left for Hong Kong, where my father Dong Fu Ling was living.

From 1956 to 1959, I practiced Taiji under the supervision of Mr. Wu Bao Yin, a disciple of my grandfather. After learning a little from my uncle, my Taiji wasn't too good. I wasn't satisfied. My uncle suggested that I practice with Mr. Wu while he was gone.

Mr. Wu started learning Taiji very late in his life, at age 30. Most people in my village learned when they were young. But his energy was very soft, so soft that even very strong people could not push him. He seemed to disappear when he was pushed; there was nothing there. His softness was very effective. This was an organized class of ten people. We practiced two to three hours every night, after dinner, unless it was raining or snowing or really bad weather. Classes were held outdoors in a field on nights when the moon was out. Even in the dead of winter, we practiced outdoors if there was a moon. If there was no moon, then we practiced indoors in a hall by candlelight. There was no electricity in our town at that time. Inside the houses, the rooms were very small and you could hardly stand up. The room set aside for Taiji in the Wu family house was about 12 feet by 30 feet, not enough space for ten people to practice.

When I first started doing Taiji outside in the winter, it was pretty cold. But it didn't take long before I could see steam rising from my hands as I practiced, even on the coldest nights. We would start classes about six or seven pm. Sometimes they would go on until eleven or twelve pm., depending on the interest shown. Times were not set. Some people left early and went home to practice, others stayed. While we practiced, Mr. Wu told stories. That kept us kids really interested. There was no T.V, no radio, few books then. There was nothing else to do. The stories really motivated us. If you missed a day, you missed an installment in the story. Taiji became entertainment; we were entertained and learned at the same time.

In the winter of 1959 my uncle Jun Ling began to teach us seriously. I was twelve years old at that time. My uncle was very particular about who he taught. He only had a total of ten students in his whole life, and only one true disciple. He chose students who matched his own personality; He didn't want to teach anyone who had a prominent position in the town, nor any rich people. If you talked a lot, he didn't want to teach you. He believed that disciples should keep what they know to themselves. My own philosophy is very different: I believe that the teachings should be spread around so that the art doesn't die out.

At this point in time, when I was learning from him, he was teaching just his son and me. We mostly practiced outdoors in our family compound on a homemade concrete surface. Indoors there were a lot of family members and not too much space. Practice was usually at night, sometimes during the day. Now that my uncle was back, Mr. Wu began coming to our house to practice.

At first, my uncle just corrected my moves. I tried the corrections and they worked better. As I got better, I became more serious. After Taiji practice, I could jump further, run faster, and I felt better. It felt really good and so I kept doing it, with no thoughts of the future or of becoming a teacher.

My uncle and I practiced often, day and night. There was a long rest period at school after lunch, from 11 am. to 1 pm. in the winter. I would practice then, at home. I never took a nap or slept very much at night because I felt so good from doing Taiji that there was no need for sleep.

In summer, our area was very hot and no one did very much at all because of the heat. The rest period from school in the summer lasted until 3 pm. I had been told that I should practice in the hottest time of the day in the hottest place; I took that seriously, so I would practice in midday in the summer. It was very hot when I started, too hot to stand in the sun for more than a few minutes, but doing Taiji actually cooled me down. I could practice gong fu in the hot sun for one or two hours, but when I stopped, it was too hot to stand there. In the old days, it was believed that the harder the practice, the better the practice. Teachers tried to push you to the limit. They didn't force us to do anything, they just explained why it was better to practice hard. We were convinced, so this is how we practiced.

At age nine to twelve, I was so energetic that I would jump off a 12-foot high roof and land on the ground. The family restaurant had tables about one meter high, and after the restaurant closed, I would jump from the floor to the tabletop and then down and up onto the next table, all over the restaurant. We put a bowl of water on the table and the goal was to jump on the table without spilling the water. If you spilled the water, you lost the game. You had to jump high and land softly. I started by pushing off with both legs and later could do it with one leg. Even our games were aimed at improving our gong fu.

Learning from my uncle involved very hard, difficult practice. He taught us step by step, one move at a time. It was very painful at times. We went into extraordinary detail on every move. We talked about every single fragment and how they fit together. There were almost one hundred steps for every move. Then afterwards he smoothed them all out until they flowed. Sometimes we would practice for seven or eight hours, sometimes only thirty minutes. At this point, I had been practicing almost every day for three years. But Mr. Wu never went into this kind of detail. It felt totally different doing it this way with my uncle.

When family members are being taught, the teaching is much harsher, much more critical. The teaching of outsiders tended to be much more polite. The standards were different if you were part of the family. Once one became a disciple, then you were treated more like a family member. The master is much harder on you.

After Mr. Wu learned from my grandfather, Dong Ying Jie was gone from our village for long periods of time. His students started teaching on their own. My grandfather came back and was testing their Tui Shou skills. One student was having a really hard time rooting himself. My grandfather would stick and follow and the student got uprooted and sent flying time after time. Every time the student pushed, Dong Ying Jie would go back with him; it was like going down the stairs backwards. Once you take the step, you have to keep going. Mr Wu said to the student, "Why are you so stupid? why do you follow him?"

My grandfather overheard Mr Wu and started to push hands with him. He grabbed Mr Wu's hand and pushed him between two Chinese wine jugs. These ceramic jugs are really huge, with a small top and bottom and a very wide middle. My grandfather pushed him right into the small opening between the bottoms of two jugs. His head went through but his shoulders got stuck and he had to be pulled out Dong Ying Jie did this three times. Each time he pushed Mr Wu right into that small hole.

My uncle was as strict with us as my grandfather had been on his disciples. As we practiced, whenever I felt like moving, like in the middle of Single Whip, my uncle would tell me to stop. When I felt like stopping, he would make me move. He would look for the most difficult part of the move and then make me hold it at that point, to make me get really good at it. That is one of the hardest things to do, to not move when you feel like moving. It breaks the flow. But it teaches endurance and what the Chinese call "nien", the ability to withstand hardship.

At this level of detail, we worked on each move until it was correct. We could not go on to the next move until the one before it was correct. When we felt impatient, he would teach us patience by making us go over and over the same move. Then when you got really tired and stopped caring about learning whatever came next, he would surprise us by going on to the next move. You went on to the next step only when you were judged ready, not when you want to. There is a big difference. There is a Chinese saying, "When the water comes, the dam will be created." It is a very different mentality than in the West.

I practiced only the Slow Set until I was good at it, which took three years. It was just my cousin and me learning this way At the end of three years, in 1962, I began to learn Tui Shou [Push Hands]. Sometimes my grandfather's disciples would come around, and then we would do Push Hands with them. In the beginning, we were told only about relaxing the body and keeping it straight, not how to push. We were not supposed to do any pushing, just circles for two years, every night, just me and my uncle's son. I would also push hands with Mr. Wu, if he was there, or with my uncle. I started out with Peng Lu Ji An , two-handed Push Hands, right away.

After two years of Push Hands circles, Mr. Li [Li Qing Shan], who was an expert in hard style Shaolin gong fu came to see what I had learned. Though he was never officially my teacher, my uncle allowed me to learn a few things from him when he came to our house, about once a month. It was Mr. Li who taught me Fa Jin, how to deliver energy. He was a little bantam of a man, but he was incredibly fast and his energy was unstoppable; he was an expert at Fa Jin. He was like a mountain when he moved. There was no way to divert him. Even though it is said that you can divert one thousand pounds with four ounces, there is a point where, if the force is great enough, there is no way to deflect it. All you could do was get out of his way.

He could break a Chinese tombstone with his fist. These tombstones were made of slate, three feet by five feet by eight inches thick. He could break one in half. He once took some Chinese herbal medicines that made you much stronger and he was afraid of really hurting someone, so he went to a graveyard to test his strength. other people went with him and saw him break the tombstone, so this wasn't just a story.

Much later, at age 70, I saw him demolish my uncle's front gate with one hand. He was supposed to be a judge at a gong fu contest and was being mocked by some of the kids my age for being too old to be a judge. To prove his capabilities, he hit my uncle's front door, which was made of wood two inches thick which was laminated in three different directions and then nailed together. The gate was actually two doors which opened in the center. With one continuous motion, he delivered first a forehand and then a backhand strike, with so much internal energy that both doors were completely shattered. At age seventy! It left me completely speechless. The other kids fell into a stunned, awestruck silence. No one could argue with Mr Li's abilities. He never married; he devoted his entire life to the martial arts. His father was a master martial artist also.

About this time I began to learn Hua Jin, or how to take energy and change it, from my uncle. When you learn to change your shape, then you can change the force coming at you, or divert the strength of the force. I began to learn Fa Jin and Hua Jin from my uncle. One of us would push and the other would divert. We learned in a flowing way, no fixed form at all. It was whenever the opportunity arose, within the context of the Tui Shou practice, but only with Peng Lu Ji An, never with Tsai Lieh Jou Kao.

My uncle was a real purist in his teaching of Taiji. I was never allowed to read any books about Taiji other than family writings, just the Red Book [Principles of Taijiquan, written by Dong Ying Jie]. I read that book many times. Each time that I read it, I saw something else. I understood it differently as my knowledge increased. The deeper I went, the more there was to it. There was no end.

From the time that I first began seriously studying Taiji in 1959, there was no time when my practice stopped or was interrupted, even during the Cultural Revolution. In the beginning, my uncle didn't want me to learn any other martial art. But later, I practiced with people who knew other forms, and we never held back. My most intense practice period was from age sixteen to age twenty-seven. Outside of class, when I practiced with my friends, we would tell each other not to pull our punches, and to hit anywhere on the body. In the beginning it hurt when you got hit, but later it didn't hurt anymore. At this time, there was a lot of Qi Gong practice, so the force of the hit was transformed by the Qi Gong.

By this time, my Push Hands skills had reached a point where none of my uncle's other students could beat me. I began to check out other schools and styles of martial arts, and to test my skills against them. Most people teach Taiji for health, so it is useless as a self defense or for gong fu. Many teach it as a totally relaxed form. But if you want to use Taiji as a martial art, you have to be both hard and soft; you have to know how to use both. Even if you learn it as a martial art, with all of the applications, if you don't practice it against someone regularly, then it is still useless as a martial art.

At age 27, I left my village and began teaching in Gong Fu Association classes and classes sponsored by the prefectural government. I traveled a lot, spending two weeks at a time in each place. Top martial arts experts from all over the country invited me to visit with them. I learned a little from each one. I taught every day when I was away, three weeks out of every month. The classes were two hours long, in the morning before work began. The classes were sponsored by the government and were held in public squares. I was paid by the government, but also by the students themselves, although it was not required. They gave ten percent of their income for my teaching. It was what the Chinese call "the red envelope", a token of appreciation. They valued what Taiji did for their health and their spirit.

Outside of China, I checked out many other schools. In Singapore, I tried out a lot of external Chinese schools. Most of it was friendly sparring. The hard forms are all fully committed; once they start a move, they can't pull back or stop. Not like Taiji. In the hard forms, it is only the part that is striking that is committed. In Taiji, it is the whole body, from the leg up, once you decide to strike. The jin is different. When you punch in hard form, you can bruise someone; with Taiji, you can throw your opponent thirty feet. The jin comes from the whole body; it is entirely different from the hard styles. Taiji is both soft and hard. You have to start with soft, then go hard, which gives a tremendous burst of energy.

I have met almost all of the modern Taiji masters and observed the differences in their styles. Chen style has good explosive energy, and the old Wu style is very powerfull, very strong. But none of the other styles has the rooting of the Yang style. I feel that the Yang style fits the general public better than any other style. It makes the legs really strong because you step much more slowly than other styles. The steps of the Yang style are neither big nor small; an average-size step has the most power behind it.

There is a story about Master Liu, who was a very small man, being challenged by another school in front of a big crowd. He threw his opponent out of the circle, which was surrounded by spectators standing five deep. The other man went flying so hard and fast that he shot through all five layers of onlookers as though he had been fired from a cannon. Bystanders flew in all directions. Sometimes the Yang style is so powerful that you can't believe it.

You think that you could never have that kind of power, but you can. No matter whether you are big or small, everyone can get good. It is important to have a very good teacher to watch you, to point out your strengths and weaknesses.

There are three things necessary to succeed at Taiji: You must have confidence that you will benefit. You must have the patience to learn. And finally: you must be persistent, which means constant daily practice, with no lapses.

A Production of INTER-ISLAND PEN AND SWORD © 1995 Rachel Porter

Text OCR and markup by Gordon Joly 1999-06-27

Tai Chi and Walking

祝大彤先生2007年5月第二届自然太极拳年会上讲座、示范2