My Tai Chi Chuan Training Blog

Holiday's The Aftermath

2012-01-06T09:20:00.006+11:00

I wish I could say that this holidays I embodied the true nature of Tao, but alas I had to much to eat, too much rest, and the only thing I didn't do much of, is my Taichi... I hang my head.

But on the plus side I had a great holiday, caught up with some good friends, and reflected on my past year amongst family and friends alike, and though 2011 was not a very good year for despots and dictators, I actually had a very good year last year.

I made some ground in understanding Taichi, a little bit. My son Benjamin was born, and I completed a challenging project as a VFX supervisor under some pretty tight restraints, and a lofty vision.

But the year has begun, and as they are not long enough I have much to do this year, both professionally and in Taichi, I just hope I am up to the challenge.

So here we go, stay tuned, I'll try my best to relay my thoughts and insights into my training at this low level.

Happy new year everyone!

Last Weeks Lesson, last post before Christmas

2011-12-20T13:26:00.007+11:00

This is coming a bit late, but I have been busy getting used to being home full time with our little baby boy, very hard but rewarding... ahh relish these moments.

Anyway, last Thursday i had many more corrections, the main point though was that i need to exercise and embrace move with the Yi more, Master Yek feels that my body can do it, but my mind is preventing me from utilizing yi.

I am not 100% sure what he means yet, but will try and develop it further, personally and intellectually I am all for it, I am not trying to block it's use, but there might be something like inexperience stopping it or me from flowing.

Other notes were:

To be very clear and precise with the positions, particularly left single whip (zou dan bian), raising arms (ti shou).

Also when I am moving from single whip to raising arms, that there are five clear changes in the arm positions, and to pay attention to the three folds, and not to over extend my position.

Basically the points he gave me hinge mostly on natural movement and positioning, as opposed to my sometimes forced steps and movements, it definitely feels better.

With that I end this year with this post, and a heart felt cheer and well wishes for everyone leading into the new year, take care and train well.

Sincere regards,

Sheldon Whittaker

PS
Taiji squirrel picture from here....

It's tough, just not impossible

2011-12-10T13:48:00.004+11:00

Well finally got to class this week, and boy was I in for a surprise, I kind of thought I was doing pretty good there for a bit, but this week i got a reminder how Taiji can be a challenge.

It's no big problem though, for the past week I have felt a little out of touch with it, lost my equilibrium so to speak.

But with all the corrections this week I feel as though I have plenty to work on now, some of them are simply things I have forgotten, and others are bad habits from years ago, plus Master Yek shed some light on a couple of the exercises, so all in all a great night.

It's a bit tough on the ego, but thats part of the Tao I guess, just let it go, don't stand in your own way when a teacher is trying to help you.

Notes for Thursday 9th December.

- In the exercises, more weight separation and sinking.
- In the 42form...
- opening, hands should be by the sides, closed. As you step out you open each arm separately.
- when turning to the right, remain 50/50 weight on feet... curently shifting weight (something I added, in error, when outside on rough ground to free up the feet)
- left ward off, keep elbows down, thumbs up, hands level with fingers slightly splayed. right hand should be down but in front of the body to the side, not back by the hip. opps.
- right ward off, same note as for left ward off.
- roll back and press, ensure elbows and shoulders are down and relaxed, not up and sticking out. A taiji friend suggested a change for the press and I liked it, but for Sing Ong Taichi it's incorrect... opps. hehe
- single whip left, each part of it needs to be clearer and precise, I seem to have smoothed it over a bit much, also my step out was more a step up and forward, which is incorrect, the technique doesn't shift forward but raises and rolls out, as in a wave.

That's as far as we got last night, but more than plenty for me to work on this week, and for the holidays i think... need to double my efforts to ensure I have fixed these things before next class.

Re-timing Taiji

2011-11-29T10:35:00.004+11:00

Today I brushed off the ol Qigong form that Sifu Morgan taught me in 2009 and 2010, I haven't practised it in a long time, along with a lot of other stuff as well... mainly due to time, Master Michael has had me pretty busy with Sing Ong Tai Chi Chuan.

So I am thinking every day I'll put some more time aside to practise:

-Peng Qi Guan Ding Fa - Qigong form

-Standing and breathing practise

-Taiji walking

I found in the past, this Qigong really compliments Taiji, and helps with the inner breathing and health parts of it. The standing, though very simple, really grounds you and you develop a good stable root. Where the Taiji walking, which looks funny too, is really good for clear separation of your weight... something I have a bad habit of not doing properly these days.

I am thinking that if I add these exercises to my routine it'll help me improve the Taiji, least knock some of the bad habits on the head.

Current morning routine:

-15 - 20min walk to park

-Six and Five Relaxing Exercises

-First Taiji form sets

- 1x f, 4x s

- 1x f, 4x n

- 1x f, 4x s

- 1x f, 4x w

- 2x f

-15 - 20min walk home

key: f= Fun, s=Slow, n=Normal, w=Workshop.

FUN: When I train I always start a set with a fun pass of the form, this is where I am aware of the points and the form, but I relax more, enjoy and play with it... the purpose is to find natural flow, and remove any stress I might put myself under... also as a consequence of ding it this way, the errors show up bigger, and gives me things to work on.

SLOW: Basically I do the form as slow as I can, really concious of and attention to detail and weight shift, as it is so slow, there is plenty of time to work on the principles and the form.

NORMAL: As it implies, I try to maintain a normal speed, but still focused on accuracy and timing of the form, again errors show up here, and that gives me things to work on, main thing here is trying to do it at proper speed with the principles, accuracy, timing, and coordination all working together.

WORKSHOP: As I do the form this time, every-time I have a problem or error that keeps cropping up, I'll stop the form and go back over and over until I am happier with it, then continue through the form.

I might also point out that I am only doing a small part of the form at the moment, I don't think I could do this routine if I was practising the whole form, though I would probably do a variation of it.

Wuwei Taichiquan

2011-11-28T20:43:00.003+11:00

“Taiji is not ‘The Way‘ but a means to help people realize their own way.“

— David C. Chen

I just wanted to dedicate this post to my admiration for the late Mr David Chen, I never got the opportunity to meet him, and only learned of him when I was training with Sifu Morgan in Melbourne.

But as I have read about him I have come to gain a appreciation for his insight, as a modern and young master of Taijiquan.

“A master teaches us to be a student of Taiji, not his.“
— David C. Chen

His views seem to be very similar to my teachers, for example Master Yek has already explained, as I was in error with a point due to my past kung fu training, that eventually we all loose our teachers, but it's the teachers job to teach the student to be able to go on alone, hence the importance of true understanding of the principles, more than any skill over a set form or applications.

That we learn Taiji to better ourselves, not master it or be better than others.

“Taijiquan is like a bright mirror - it reflects our physical and mental weakness; we need to polish it constantly in order to see our true self.“

— David C. Chen

So it is very true that no matter the style or the system, we are all aiming for the same point, no matter how different we may be, we are following the same path, it is just that sometimes we need to take slightly different paths, and occasionally they cross and meet up with others for a short time.

“Don't find excuses not to practice, instead, find every opportunity to practice.“
— David C. Chen

This last quote of his resonates with me, and I am taking it as a new mandate in my training, take every opportunity to train, in any environment, at any time I have time, weather it be as simple as standing or walking, to finding time and space to do the form.

Artwork and quotes referenced from Wu Wei Taichi Club site.

Sunny Days

2011-11-27T08:14:00.005+11:00

Well the sunny days are here again. Difficult week, am back on the ol Antibiotics and was feeling a bit off on Thursday, so I didn't get to go to training, and there is no class this week either.

But back into the Gardens today, and boy am I off with my training, a few positions of the form don't feel right, and my general Taiji-i-ness is feeling a bit out of alignment... practise makes perfect though, just got to keep it up and be self critical, and I should continue to improve, or at least fix what's out.

No major new TCC thoughts this week, but I am thinking that I would like to have my own Taiji tea garden one day, being at the botanical gardens is very inspirational in regards to having my own place to teach and train when I am more senior.

Ok thats about it this week, out for a adventure with the family today, we go out for nice walks together most days, which is very nice.

Oh, a date to keep free in Sydney next year is, June 9th 2012, for the National Taiji forms competition, to be held at Sydney Uni. No I will not be competing, LOL, but am eager to attend and see what other people are doing, and a chance to mingle with some other Taiji enthusiasts.

Moonshine and little wet dogs

2011-11-20T08:53:00.010+11:00

It has been an interesting morning to say the least...

OK, so what goes through some peoples heads at times?

On my way to the park to chase inner peace and make it submit to my will, I am crossing over Cowper Wharf, and I can hear barking... at first I think nothing of it until I realise it's coming from under my feet, and I click that there is a dog under the wharf... there's no way down there or to get under there as it is totally water locked... so looked around through the wooden slat boards, but I cant see him.

I then went to the Taj Blue Hotel, and tell the staff there, they say they'll call someone to help the dog... so I continue on my way to the park.

I put the dog out of my mind as I know he'll be looked after now, and settle in to do my Taiji exercises, as I progress with my forms practise, I am aware that there are a few guys on the other side of the lawn where I am training, watching... no bother I occasionally get some looky-loos, and as i start on another set of the form, I am just moving into "you pung", and I realise that one of them is shouting something and mooning me with a big hairy arse!

Err ok so that's not something that you want to see everyday, or ever, but I try and ignore the blighter so I can continue unaffected with my training, after all you shouldn't let distractions effect you... but dam! the old KF part of my mind just wanted to chase them down and deal out some rough justice...

So that form set was a bust to say the least.

I completed a few more sets of the form and by now I am calm of mind and focused on the form again, to the point that I am happy with the days progress and decide to head home.

I collect my things, and head off home, after a relaxing walk through the gardens, I am soon heading back down across the Wharf and the poor little doggie is still barking, so noone helped him yet? people are walking past, some with iPhone plugs in, others uncaring, or unconcerned.

So i think, right lets help him, so I walk around the wharf trying to get a angle where I can see exactly were he is, but it's too dark, I then check out the water, a school of fine looking fish swim past, and scores of jelly fish are pulsing through the water... I decide then is not the right time for a swim... scratching my head I head home to try and call someone who can help him.

I look up online, Animal Rescue Sydney... and all the organisations there only care about abused animals, I look up the RSPCA, and their automated message ruled out their help, so i tried calling the local police station... no answer... I then tried to call the council, a helpful young chap put me in touch with the city rangers, who, to their credit, went down there in under 10minutes and took a boat under the wharf... they looked and looked, but they could not find the dog... I can only hope he found his own way out and is safe.

I know i am a old softy, but I can't stand to see or hear others in pain.

So what in Taiji did I learn to day... in regards to the Moonshine "gay" boys, I need to work on the concept of "Wu-wei", calmness in all situations, clear headed and unaffected, able to act clearly and efficiently without emotion.

In regards to the dog, I will always try and act with compassion and caring for others if I can help, either by remote (calling an authority) or by action (getting physically involved).

PS. the pictures above are not of the dog, just pictures off the web to illustrate the morning, the top picture is of the BLUE Hotel though. I just hope that someone didn't throw the dog over the wharf in the first place, I guess I will never know.

Notes to work on

2011-11-17T22:25:00.002+11:00

Points to work on this week:

Class was good tonight, Master Yek has just returned from a seminar in New Zealand, and explained to us what they covered over the weekend.

Lao Shi emphasized the ten principles that must be adhered to and not to deviate, but more to reenforce that it doesn't matter that you know many forms or just one, that if there is no guiding principles, then the forms will be but a shell, without substance or depth. Also that there are many forms, and styles of Taichi, and thousands of martial arts systems out there, that at the highest levels we are all striving for the same thing, the same peak.

Tonight I received the next part of the 42form
-pie shen chui, parry and strike fist.

As always it took a while to sink it, as it is with all new information, but I got the broad gist of the move, just need to practice and I'll get more pointers next week.

The main point tonight for me to work on though is my usual problem, which is to separate clearly, my weight distribution during all weight shifts, turns, and pivots.

I think this week while I practice the form, I'll do it very slowly, taking time to think of every step and weight shift, and apply the principles as I can recall them... in time it should all sink in.

knock on the sky and listen to the sound

2011-11-17T22:01:00.001+11:00

I have been back to regular training in the park for a few weeks now, and again I am feeling more "In Touch" with myself.

It's a like if you are keeping to regular training, you hit this critical mass or peace that comes over you, beginning to feel "sung" or relaxed.

But I have noticed that if I have time off, weather due to injury or illness, this time it was for surgery... that it seems to take three times the amount of time off, to regain the feeling. ie. one day off, takes me three days to get it back.

I have also noticed something returning that I thought I had lost, using the same yi technique for lifting or raising up and down in Taiji, that while walking to moving about in a croud or pushing Ben's stroller, that if I imagine being pulled from the waist by an imaginary rope, you actually get a sensation of effortless pull, especially good for closing distance or changing directions rapidly... I asked Mrs Yek last night and she confirmed that this is yi, and to cultivate the skill.

Notes to Work On

2011-11-10T08:28:00.001+11:00

Points to work on this week:

Not many notes this week as Master Yek was away:

- Continue to work on flow and timing

- begin to think more of the internal working

- go through each part of the form and really feel if all the principles are present at each point, adjust to make entire form effortless and smooth as possible.

Like water eroding mountains

2011-11-08T09:13:00.008+11:00

The idea of a quote like, "water is the softest substance in nature, yet it can erode mountains and rocks, over time a small stream can cut a mountain in two." in Kung Fu or Taiji practise, always makes me smile.

Just the image of a big burly aggressor attacking, and the defence is a smooth manoeuvring to his blind side, followed up with a gentle massage... eventually after hours of this combat, the bad guy moves off worn down and very relaxed.

In fact the analogy of water wearing down mountains is provocative, but it's not practical. more though that it's better to visualise the soft ever present water, peaceful and tranquil, until it is raised up, it's then got power, the power of the ocean wave washing away ships and land in one hit, then it is at peace again... this is the potential.

So my latest take on this is, "Your body is rooted in the earth, your head is suspended by the moon, your mind or Yi is the moon's gravity, the ocean is your chi. When both body and mind move together, your chi becomes like a great wave, sweeping all away."

Nice thought I guess.

Single breath

2011-11-08T08:45:00.007+11:00

Had a bit of a laugh to myself today while training, that often we hear a quote from a Taiji classic or a bit of wisdom, and in my mind I go straight for the literal... ie Taiji is performed slowly, mind switches to beating someone up in slow motion, or Taiji is like water, even great mountains are cut in two by a small stream over time, or From start to finish, the form is done in a single breath.

Fortunately for me most of these are addressed and explained as soon as they are transmitted.

As the picture would indicate, if you were doing a form of any length in one breath, let alone the 108 Yang form for example, which takes 10 to 15 minutes? you would undoubtedly pass out.

In fact as I recall, the true meaning behind the quote is more that from the moment you start the form to the end, you do not stop, one breath means one move, non stop flow man.

With breathing and the form, it was explained to me that, it is dangerous to be thinking about breath during your form work, it can retard, harden, and get the chi stuck. Actually I have heard of a student that was obsessed with the breath pattern, of course it became unnatural, and he got sick.

To avoid this in training, we train a series of exercises with Qigong properties before class, most schools do to some extent, this is the chi practise, the breathing practise, when doing the form don't worry about the breathing... but please do breath, those black spots.. not good. LOL

Anti-Progress

2011-11-06T19:22:00.004+11:00

Well last week I had to have some minor surgery to remove some skin cancer, and taking my doctors advice, I took it easy for a week... that is, no exercise, or Taiji.

I was feeling a bit down while in a little bit of pain, so I basically lost a week of training/practise... but into it again this week, and wow, the last weeks rest has really effected my form, man it's sloppy, I'm taking a bit of time to realing it again... it's a pity too, as I was some making progress, least I thought I was. :D

All jolly good though, great to be back with vigour and no worries about health issues.

It does remind me of a cool quote... "If I don't practice one day, I know it; two days, the critics know it; three days, the public knows it." - Jascha Heifetz

Taiji is very much like this, when I trained Kung Fu you could train only three times a week and still improve nicely, but with Taiji it has to be a daily discipline.

Taiji For Everyday Living

2011-11-03T20:12:00.010+11:00

Grand Master Hsu Yee-Chung, is the teacher of Master "Bill" Law Lun-Yeung, who is the teacher of Sifu Morgan Buchanan, who was my first taiji teacher in Melbourne, 2009.

Master Hsu Yee-Chung, teaches five rules for "Taiji for everyday living", which I wanted to share here...

1. When Walking, walk like a camel in the sand.
As you walk, clearly shift your weight like a camel walking in the sand. A camels foot is loose when lifted as there is no weight on it and it lifts straight up so not to drag in the sand, it moves to it's next placement but no weight is put on it yet to ensure it's placement is sound, it then sinks the foots weight into the sand so as to find footing in the loose sand, then once set the camel then transfers it's weight upon the foot.

When walking, be conscious not to lean forward, ie constant falling, and simply think of each foot placement, just thinking of a set foot should be enough. The Taiji exercise of this would more closely copy that of the camels, separate your weight, extend the empty foot to place one step at 45deg, place foot heal-toe, shift weight to clear from the supporting foot and repeat... that sort of thing.

2. When Standing, choose a leg.
Simply, when waiting at lights or standing idle, use the opportunity to separate your weight and suspend 100-0, the more subtle you are at this, the less of a public side show you will feel.

3. When Sitting, the back of the chair is only for the coat.
Sit at your chair near the front edge of the chair, feet facing forward, knees bent to 90deg, back straight but flat not arched. and head upright with chin slightly tucked in, your hands should rest lightly on your knees.

4. When Sleeping, lay on the right.
Essentially lay in the recovery position, easy way to remember this one is lay on the opposite side to your heart so as not to apply your body weight upon it. I can personally vouch for this ending my snoring... well more precisely my wife can. :)

5. When Eating, drink your food, and chew your drink.
This one I remember when i was growing up, chew your food until it is a liquid pulp then swallow it gently, only eat in small amounts, bring your food to your mouth not the other way around, one should not slouch forward at the table to slurp up his food, it compresses and cramps the internal organs, so stay upright. Lastly when drinking sip your drink, do not gulp down liquids as it can shock your insides, especially cold drinks, it is better to sip slowly.

Quote of the Day

2011-11-03T16:22:00.003+11:00

"This is what I learned: that everybody is talented, original and has something important to say." - Brenda Ueland

We are just trained and taught how not to be, over the course of our lives we become convinced that we are too old to learn something new, or I have never done that so I can't try, or why bother others can do it better anyway.

In fact I have met a Taichi master who only started when he was 40 odd years old, and he was 70 odd when I met him, and I knew a Black Belt who was far from being a natural martial artist, had no rhythm or timing when he first started, but he wanted it so bad, he over come that to become one of the schools best teachers and practitioners, while others that were naturally gifted got bored and drifted off.

Everyone is talented, talent is like RAM in a computer, we all have it, it just matters how you focus it, what are you passionate about?

Everyone is original, in everything we do in our lives every day and everything is original, like snow flakes, sometimes same, but up close unique and precious.

Everyone has something important to say, we all have a voice, sometimes it's internal, but the course of our lives gives everyone a unique perspective, weather right or wrong, they can bring discussion to any topic what ever their level.

Eight Methods Taiji Drill

2011-11-03T12:34:00.008+11:00

Taught to me by Sifu Morgan Buchanan, this drill was designed by Prof. Cheng Man-Ching for the New York students between 1965 and

1975.

Their usage, as I understand it, is to provide an internal change in emphasis when you are practising the form, which also gives plenty of variety to the form, as well as teach fundamental points of focus.

I am currently studying the 42 combined form, but this still helps me allot with my own practise.

1. Balancing The Moon On Your Head

Add this to any other method, the head is upright and you imagine that the top of your head is balancing the moon, and the Earth is under your feet.

My teacher would make me do this while balancing a flat rock on my head. The goal of this is to gain a feeling where you are lifting from the Bai Hui point, which is very important in Taiji, and good posture.

2. Walking On Thin Ice

Imagine you are walking on slippery thin ice, with one inch of water underneath, you don't want to break through the ice or slip.

This method is used to practise, or be concious of careful placement of feet, smooth transfer of weight, and precision of movement in both your footwork, and body... after all a sharp pump of the foot could break the ice.

3. Rowing The Boat

Imagine you are in a row boat with the oars drawing yourself backwards across the lake.

When you row, you maintain a straight back, accurate lines, and balance, but while using this method I believe you emphasise the draw back or pull or loading up.

4. Setting The Sail

Imagine a sail boat, feel yourself draw or raise the sail, particularly on the lifting action as you reach for more rope, the draw is done with the whole body both up and down.

I believe this method installs a feeling to draw down using while body, but on the lift up you allow the rope to pull you up effortlessly to draw again in a smooth motion.

5. As Clouds Around The Mountain

Imagine you are the mountain, rooted and strong, and your hands are the clouds, light and free.

6. Standing At The Cliffs Edge

Imaging a ledge, your back heal is right on the edge where ever you move.

Alternatively noted as...

Imagine a ledge at the toe of your back foot, front is suspended over the abyss.

I think this one promotes a feeling of forward energy, no going back.

7. Wading The Stream

Imagine you are knee deep in a stream with a strong current, feel the bottom of the stream as you step.

I believe this one develops sure footedness, root, and a careful attachment to the principle of weight separation.

8. Flying through the clouds with Immortals or Riding the Wind

Imagine you are soaring, gliding through the air, graceful and free.

I have found that this one promotes flowing light movement, though you remain accurate to the form, you enjoy more freedom for personal flourish and flow.

Notes to Work On

2011-10-27T23:54:00.002+11:00

Points to work on this week:

In the 42form:

-From Ti Shou, remember circular flowing movement, that hits all the points.

-Careful when stepping not to step while shifting weight, and do not step to long.

-Don't add extra, only turn as far as is allowed by the foot work, not from the waist.

-Timing and Co-Ordination critical to proper utilisation.

-In Ti Shou, left hand only as high as elbow, not to high.

-In Lou xi ao bu, remain upright but not straight arm, keep circular, fingers point to target until last moment, then palm drops to release the potential.

-also in second brush knee, have bad habit to turn right slightly, ensure to turn left from the start to cover and deflect.

My Grandfather said...

2011-10-23T21:12:00.005+11:00

After reading a section in Mr Yang Cheng-Fu's book, where he recounts his grandfathers advice about learning Taichi, I thought about something my Grandfather said to me when I was just a boy.

You see my brother and I lived with our Grandparents for a short time when we were 9 and 10 years old, or there-abouts.

During a lesson on how to shoot a rifle, and he also used this lesson when he taught me to play pool (billiards)... he said to "Always take the easy shot first, don't risk loosing an opportunity to hit your target / score by trying to be clever and going after a harder shot" - Norman Wood.

I have found this bit of advice to be so helpful over the years and very true, simplicity and directness is the path to quick, if not sure, victory.

Notes to Work On

2011-10-20T15:06:00.002+11:00

Points to work on this week:

In the 42 form working on lou xi ao bu:

-When piviot to left, dont twist up body, keep upright and turn from the hips.

-Draw strike hand in a smooth arc, don't cock and push like a palm strike.

-When drawing back to shift weight, note to be even and stay square to front... currently I am twisting and pushing with legs.

-Focus on smooth relaxed refined technique, circular and accurate.

One becomes many

2011-10-20T12:27:00.005+11:00

I am always impressed when I learn of a single vision (meme), that survives and flourishes. In this case I talk about, you guessed it, Taiji.

Taiji is not a ridged form, there isn't one way only to do it. instead it's an idea, a series of principles, that if adhered to, is Taiji.

I love the quote from a Wing Chun movie, where Yip Chun says, there is no authentic Wing Chun, as long as he's true to the principles everything that comes from his fists is Wing Chun... and that my friends is the same as Taiji.

Weather from the originator, Zhang San Feng, or those that continued the progression of the art like,Yang Lu-Chuan, Yang Cheng-Fu, or Cheng Man-Ching, The concept, idea, vision of Taiji is very much alive, and dear I say, far beyond what the founders original dream could have been.

It has evolved and advenced, and flourished around the world, and to be honest, it is quite humbling to be part of a tradition, in some way, that's existed for so long.

I heard once that Taiji is not about fighting thousands of foes, but more about keeping oneself healthy and safe, to pass it on to others so they themselves can enjoy health and safety from within as well as from with-out, what a magnificent family has grown from a few, and now numbers in the millions.

Step #6 42 Form

2011-10-20T11:19:00.003+11:00

Last week I was taught the next part of step 6. Lou xi ao bu, of the 42 form completing Brush knee twist step, also given notes to: be careful not to step to long, keep upright, don't rush parts of the form, work on timing separation and co-ordination.

Over the past week I think I was able to improve on these points, but long way off resolving them.

At this rate it should take about 3 or 4 years to learn the 42 form, and of course rest of my life working on it, which is one of the things i like about it, lets face it I have only been doing it now for little over two years.

A teacher of mine once said that Taichi is like a sword, on one hand you have the weapon, which needs to be carefully handled, and cared for so that it's in top condition when it is needed. But also part of the sword is the scabbard, the scabbard keeps the sword safe, healthy.

Taichi is a martial art, but also a method of keeping oneself healthy, at the end of the day how many fights are you going to get in? where as you have to be healthy every day of your life, do not neglect the health benefit of Taichi solely for the martial... also without the co-ordination, intent, accuracy, and timing of the martial aspects the health benefits will not be as pronounce.

Silent Foot Fall

2011-10-13T15:16:00.003+11:00

More than just sneaking about and nothing to do with the soul of your shoe. Walking, running, jumping, is much more energy efficient if you make as less noise with your feet as possible.

I have observed that if you Clop! your shoes an make noise, you waste energy and tire your self unnecessarily, think of it as...

The ground that you walk on is your support, and ideally wont give way, the energy needed to allow you to stand is the exact opposite as your weight and mass, to do a function requires X amount of energy for Y amount of work, anything extra is excess, excess energy is transformed into noise or shock or if you like, destructive energy.

The shock and cause your body damage, and the noise is an indicator that you have put to much in.

In summery. "More clip, less clop, results in more flip and less flop."

Notes to Work On

2011-10-13T15:12:00.000+11:00

Points to work on this week:

Tonight's notes to consider and practise is to:

-Be careful when stepping, do not step too long.

-Don't lean, keep upright as much as comfortably possible.

-Don't rush, be more consistent, but let the form dictate the timing and flow.

-work on timing, separation, and co-ordination.

This week I was taught the next step in the 42 form, step 6, lou xi ao bu.

Supreme Ultimate Martial Art - An Impossible Dream

2011-09-07T10:45:00.003+10:00

I had this thought today while training, and I am sure many will disagree... but I have come to a realization, and it's one that I had some time ago... that there is no one supreme ultimate martial art, and I know the argument from the world I am into these days, that Taichi is that ultimate... but how can it be?

I know and have seen just how powerful it can be, I have been totally shut down by more than one Taichi teacher, and I have to admit it's a good one, if you can find a good teacher that is... but it has it's failings as do all the martial arts, and thats ok...

Whats the problem with Taichi you ask? ahh I believe, IMHO, that it takes to long to learn, and it has no attack. Not that you should be going around attacking people anyway, and defense is more an interpretation of law, depending on where you are in the world.

Saying that a system/style of martial art is best, is like saying that a great chef's kitchen is the best... it's not the kitchen, a kitchen is a room where the chef keeps his tools, it is the chef that has the skill and ability to use them that matters, and then it comes down to personal taste and cooking style... this leads me to believe, that it is the artist not the art that matters more... and to that note you have to find the taste that you prefer and what works best for you.

Love Kung Fu

2011-09-05T08:59:00.002+10:00

“Love is like a friendship caught on fire. In the beginning a flame, very pretty, often hot and fierce, but still only light and flickering. As love grows older, our hearts mature and our love becomes as coals, deep-burning and unquenchable.” - Bruce Lee

I had this thought while training this morning, or more to the point on my walk home, it occurred to me that learning martial arts is much like this, you start with passion and lust for knowledge, but as you get more experienced the fire dies down, and if not tended to will go cold and die... I have seen and been subject to this myself.

Constantly looking for the excitement and fun stuff, in the end I totally neglected my foundation, and eventually the heart grew cold and the fire died... but if you tend to it with the right fuel, technique and skill, when the fire dies down, you become calm with a radiant heat, as the core is, as Mr Lee points out, deep-burning and unquenchable.

Another master also wrote that you should always maintain the mind of a beginner, no matter how advanced you progress, never stop looking through the eyes of a beginner... keep the passion... it just becomes a deeper burning passion.

While at a seminar some 12 years ago, I recall a Master state that a Master becomes so because he is always looking for a lesson, and finds lessons within even the newest beginners simple questions, the path to true mastery comes through having a passion to never stop learning, you only stop when you are dead.

In closing, Please don't be a fire that burns brightly and then is gone.

The Ex-Girlfriends

2011-09-04T20:35:00.007+10:00

Haha, my wife jokingly refers the the past martial arts I have learned as "The Ex-Girlfriends", what she is getting at is that the ex usually retains some power or influence over you, even though you might have pledged yourself to another.

In my case my passion is Taichi, but I occasionally, wistfully, and with a measure of nostalgia, want to go back and visit the ex-girlfriend... aka, Chans Martial Arts, or Ving Tsun Kung Fu.

On one hand I am attracted to the energy and activity of Kung Fu, and I know that I'll be in top shape within a few months to a year of training...
but I also know that Taichi has more potential power, and ultimately the greater goal for me to learn, so going back would distract on my currently exclusive TCC training, and could generate more aggression in me again that I would like.

However I still feel that I had things to learn, and goals unmet... I was only 1 step from gaining my Black Belt after 4 years of training, I think I stopped cause in my heart I had failed my last grading, even though I was awarded the grade... I felt I should have been held back... so my stopping was a subconscious way of avoiding going further when I felt I shouldn't.

Precision and Power

2011-09-04T19:43:00.004+10:00

It's been a real long time since I have had the strength, and I do admit it, skill to land a hit that measures close to three thousand pounds per square inch, having done it once when I was at the peak of my training and had the opportunity to kick a university force meter sensor during a sports science study...

Why do I bring this up, well at the risk of some negative comments, I am a bit tired of a common modern perception, typically from martial arts documentaries and such, that measure the power from various martial arts, and then state that a KO can only come from a hit that measures like 3 tons of force... if power was all there is needed then the bigger guy is always going to win, which negates the purpose of Martial Arts to level the playing field... where in fact with correct skill, timing, and speed... a simple knock out is not a mater of power... it can be achieved (as explained by my then Master) by a very lite touch.

Now I am not saying I can do this, as I have been out of training for too long, but I know many people that 1. can generate more power (through skill) for their body size than a much larger brute could ever hope to, 2. are faster than you can believe, and 3. have the skill to land most any hit that they want to.

...here's a scoop, A wooden man is not a unflinching punching board for generating super power... it is an unbeatable opponent that you cannot bend, but the purpose of it is not for bashing, it's for working around (Be like water my friend)... it's how you learn to deal with a larger opponent... Wing Chun is a light touch internal martial art, it was designed for a woman (as the story goes), and doesn't require strength for it to work... OK that was a little random, but it's something that always bothered me since I used to train it.

...Back to the source meter story, the kick that hit that highest score for the day was the fastest, lightest and most accurate of my kicks, and I didn't really put any power into it cause I thought I messed it up, and it rated the most powerful. (GASP)

Stepping It Up

2011-09-03T13:12:00.002+10:00

Well as you may be aware, if you have read my blog before, that I have been researching Taichi technique for walking up and down steps, it was a personal challenge set out by a friend on his blog, to find something in your daily life, and incorporate Taichi into it.

One set of steps that I walk down and back up again on a daily basis, is the infamous Victoria Steps that connects Potts Point to Woolloomooloo, three flights of stone steps frequently used by pedestrians and exercise nuts alike.

Last week I noticed quite my accident while running up them, that the lighter the foot, the less sound you make on the step as you run up them, and of course apply the TCC principles of lift from the Bai Hui, keeping upright and relaxed, the easier the run up is.

It is, in my mind, that you waste less energy by only putting into the upward step, only the energy you need... if you put to much power into it, you get the excess waste energy taking on the form of sound, vibration, impact etc...

Now my challenge is to incorporate that lightness into everything I do now, especially Taichi, while also trying to develop a deep root... so question now is how to walk softly, and also deeply... stay tuned I guess.

I need to confirm this with my Master as well to make sure I am on the right track with it.

My Daily Training

2011-09-03T08:56:00.007+10:00

Currently my daily training consists of...
20 - 30min walk to and around the Sydney Botanical Gardens
45min - 1hr Taichi practice, consisting of the six relaxing exercises (Liu Bu Song Jin Huo Gu), the five loosening exercises ( Sung Shen Wu Fa), Yue Xiu Ting's combat form, and about 10-20 repetitions of what i have been taught of the Combined 42 step Taichi Form (currently 5 steps).
20min return walk home.

I do this routine most days, either 5 or 6 days a week, if I taker a break one day, usually Thursday as I have class that night anyway, or Sunday just to take a rest, I'll still do the exercises and form at home.

I have found that training in the park is a great way to learn to relax in public, and there is a very positive energy being around trees, birds, and the general life of the gardens, so it becomes quite easy and energizing to do the form as many times as I do it at present, I am sure it'll decrease once I have learned more of the form, but you just get into the flow of it, and keep repeating it over and over as there is always something else to improve or work on.

This week I have been instructed to work on the timing for White Crane Spreads Wings, and to improve my weight separation, making sure the steps are very clear and balanced.

Integrity

2011-08-21T21:23:00.004+10:00

I recently saw a report on TV about how a Taichi teacher who is "pioneering" taichi as a treatment for arthritis (I know he didn't pioneer Taichi, and it's been used for this treatment for a very long time already), and how he's teaching a modified method of Taichi so the older people can learn it easily.

Now I am fully aware that all because something looks different, as long as it uses the core principles of Taichi, then it'll be Taichi... but...

...what I saw was very much a dumbed down loose set of moves... huh... I thought. So I looked him up and saw they also teach "Taichi for Kids", OK I thought lets have a look... again it's a simplified loose form with little connection to the principles... you can tell from the lack of accuracy and timing in the movements.

It led me to feel that to do this, weather it be with Children or the Elderly, to simplify or dumb it down so they can follow, shows a disrespect for your students intellect (either young or old), it also wastes time... where as, IMHO, it would be far better to teach some gentle foundation exercises to strengthen and limber the body, as well as teach the base principles, then you can teach the form properly and in it's entirety... Ok this is just my opinion, but I didn't like what I saw... seemed to be cashing in.

Programming

2011-08-21T20:15:00.006+10:00

It was explained to us the other night as to why Taichi is taught so slow... now how can it be effective in martial arts when it's so slow?

We never test it with applications in battle situations, so why why why, right?

But it's like computer programming, and it reminds me of the good ol 80's and our then new computer, the mighty Commodore Vic20, with tape drive!.. back then, no dream of an internet, if you wanted games you had to send off to the states for a tape or cartridge game, or you can program them yourself.

Back then you could buy magazines and copy the thousand line game code into a script, which you can later save onto tape and load it back up later, this process is slow, tedious, and requires a high level of accuracy, or it wont work.

Much like Taichi, without the concepts, and principles correctly entered, it wont work... but once it's right and entered correctly you can play at speed.

It's just that because there is such a meticulous attention to detail within yourself, you can eventually spot the intention of your opponent before they act... and as my friend John points out, to recognise an escalation, and diffuse it before it explodes is the foundation of Taiji, not just with martial application either, but with diplomacy... it is a poor commander that does not explore a peaceful solution before he risks the lives of his soldiers.

Anyway back to programming, the human body takes time, much longer, and is less accurate than a computer, so you need to exercise the three P's...

Practise, Patience, and Persistence.

First you must Practise regularly if you wish to improve,

You need to apply Patience, or you'll become frustrated,

Finally Persistence is vital, or you may give up... a good student exercises with all three... and follows his teachers lessons to the letter... then once you know the reasons and have true understanding of the principles you can enter your own programming.

My teacher said to me that "As much as you respect and follow your teachers lessons, they are only mortal, and eventually you must continue on alone, That is why learning the basics is so important."

Back in Time

2011-08-16T21:32:00.003+10:00

Oh it's been a while since my last post, wow Feb 2011, thats quite a little break.

I have steadfastly continued my Taichi training with Sing Ong Taichi, learning lots, lots to learn... looking forward to sharing my thoughts on training here again though.

Naturally, I can only comment from my own understanding, which will change with time and experience, but thats life.

A month or so back it was necessary to use what little Taichi I have been taught to defend myself... you see I was standing with my back to the road near a train station waiting for a friend, in hindsight maybe not the best place to stand but there wasn't many other options, and a drunk youth decided to try and shoulder barge me onto the road... it all happened quite fast, but basically I stepped sideways slightly to avoid the impact, he lost his center and was falling through, so I turned at the waist to roll him around me, I then stepped a foot with his weight on my shoulder, so I sunk my weight to support, which blew him across the footpath away from me... naturally he was agressive, called me many names, but as I was not phased and remained calm, I talked him down and he walked off with his mates.

basically none of it was form, but I kept to the TCC principles, I had only learned the opening for the form at that point, but it all came from the five relaxing exercises and the six loosening exercises (snaking spine and forward back).

I am currently learning the combined 42 form, and am up to 提手 tí shǒu in the first part of the form.

Ok thats all from me for now.

Best,

S.

At A Loss

2011-02-04T15:42:00.004+11:00

Well folks, the diet and training is paying off, I am now down two whole Kgs, to 88kgs.

basically because it is warm here, I have substituted sweet drinks for cold peppermint tea, and cold green tea drinks, walk most days for an hour in the morning, and regular Taichi training.

Taichi of course is not always so intense in the terms of getting a sweat up, Prof Cheng Man-Ching states that you should train until you receive a light glow from the work, but not to actually sweat... not sure about that cause I sweat a lot when training under the eye of Master Yek, and in the heat at home. Seems that paying close attention to the details to ensure correct form is intense after all.

Taichi for everyday living: Taichi for Sleeping.
Sleep on your right side.
Specifically, sleep in a comfortable recovery position on your right side, do not lay on your heart as this causes stress when you sleep, only lay down when you intend to sleep at night.

I have found that following this one, or at least my wife has found, I have practically stopped snoring all together and sleep soundly, but it does take practice to change sides and sleeping styles like this. Some times I would start, but soon roll over, it took some months to sleep through the night mostly on the right side.

working it out

2011-02-01T15:16:00.007+11:00

Well I'm back to the twice daily training, and morning walks for fitness.

I put on a bit of weight during Christmas and got a bit out of balance with the whole diet thing, but back on track now.

Taichi for everyday living: Taichi for Eating.
Drink your food, and eat your drink.
also, when eating leave a little bit of empty inside, never fill up 100%.

Morning practice consists of a one hour walk, the Sing Ong Taichi six relaxing exercises, and five loosening exercises.

Evenings involve the six and the five exercises again.

Basically they are a set of exercises that consist of and contain all the principles and funimentals of Taichi, expertise in these directly relate to proficency and expertise in Taichi itself.

I must say that the longer I train with Master Yek, the more profound and clear Taichi is becoming, and just how long a journey it is compared to Kung Fu, and the more determined I am to learn it.

Later this year will be a test though, there is a chance that i'll be returning to Melbourne for work, but that would take me from my studies, but I am thinking that I'll make the sacrifice to travel once every eight weeks to train with Master Yek.

Image Source.

Improv

2011-01-05T18:34:00.003+11:00

"There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it." - Edith Wharton

As a student we reflect your teachers as we struggle to imitate and understand, in time you create your own light, of what color is over to time, experience, and understanding.

It's funny though, since i have started Taichi, my old kung fu skills haven't faded, in fact they have improved, sharpened, and even become more improvised... that is, I have found myself seamlessly switching from one style to another, combining them as the energy takes me.

Unfortunately, it's all untested, I can't try myself out, so i guess i just have to trust that it'll all work out in the end.
:)

Image Sourced from...

A year with the tiger

2010-12-19T21:37:00.004+11:00

Well another year is drawing to an end, and Taichi class has finished until the new year, as always that does not give one an excuse to slacken off.

Having just gone though a beginners grading, I have many things to work on and improve before I return to class next year.

I mostly have been keeping up my regular training, and keep a diary to record each day I train, I do miss a few, but on the most part i train most days.

Now it's not important to train daily, but it is important to 1) be regular, and 2) train with intent.

By regular, it is most important to be consistent in training, much like the black smith saying "strike when the iron is hot" that when you are training regular your learning muscles are kept hot, and it is eaier to learn and improve, and like the iron, it is easier to shape... if you are irregular however, the iron will not be kept malleable and learnign will fluctuate, creating gulfs in training in-which you do not improve consistently.

The second point about intent, is more about everything you do is for a reason, I don't think in Taichi you need to be thinking application all the time, as that would cause your thought patterns to be ridged, but your mind needs to be on task and present 100% of the time in every position and transition of form, but as long as your intent is accurate and precise, your form should improve, but instead if you are just doing the moves and exercise, no matter how smooth or good your form looks, it will lack intent and substance... be present, be in mind.

Well thats that it for me today, take care and have a good day.

-S

One Hundred and Forty Seven

2010-10-01T07:10:00.004+10:00

In the movie Kung Fu Panda, the writers really got it right when they created the wise master sage Oogway, specifically in the manner that he at times proclaims not to know, out of the masters I have meet, none of them profess to know "everything", but are always ready to learn from anyone.

You are too concerned with what was and what will be. There's a saying. Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift that is why it is called the "present" - Master Oogway

In other words, enjoy the moment, make full use of the day, you can't do anything tomorrow so don't try, and you can't do anything about the past, so don't regret, the only time that matters is now, when you can do something about it.

One often finds his destiny in the path he takes to avoid it. - Master Oogway

Life has a way of working out, no matter how much you try to manipulate it to your desire and will, somethings are out of our control, and it usually works out in the end, if in balance, your life's path will unfold and come clear in time, but if you drive it into unbalance, then it can lead to a dark place indeed.

You're mind is like this water my friend, when it get's agitated it becomes difficult to see. But if you allow it to settle the answer becomes clear. - Master Oogway

Let the tea leaves settle and all will come clear, with a calm clear mind, there is no fog and you can clearly see paths that were hidden from you when stressed.

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One Hundred and Forty One Days Of Continuous Unbroken Practice

2010-09-25T09:06:00.004+10:00

"T’ai-chi Chuan is difficult to learn. To relax in practicing T’ai-chi Chuan is the most difficult phase to go through. To relax a person’s mind is the most significant obstacle to overcome in practicing T’ai-Chi. It takes a great effort to train and exercise one’s mind to relax (or drop one’s “self” bag)." - Cheng Man-ch'ing

Well I've been keeping with Taichi, doing at least 15mins training a day - and up to over 2 hours a day.

I'm about to sign up for another three months with Master Yek, I've been reflecting on my training over the years, and been very fortunate to have met and been trained by and with a few Masters, each contributing to some level to my education.

With my job I think I'll be taken away from training with Master Yek again in the new year, but I should be getting a fair bit of training with him yet.
I have found that Master Yek really cuts through the fog and if you listen, he really sets a clear path for you to follow on your way to learning and possibly mastery, so weather I train with him exclusively or not, I'll continue to follow his example and path, I think I'll be paying him many visits over the years as well.

As you know I have been contemplating Ving Tsun again, in a twist my first Ving Tsun teacher has actually argued and encouraged me to stay on with Taichi, but as long as I am happy with it, I should continue with it. Thank you for your advice Mr Stowers.

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Crisis of choice

2010-09-14T07:39:00.005+10:00

"A man should always think about the source of the water as he drinks it" -Yip Man

I must admit, the urge to return to serious Ving Tsun training is very tempting, there is something about it that really attracts me, maybe it is because I have done it before... My wife refers it to the ex-girl friend, she has an amount of history and power over me.

I should stay with Taiji however, Ving Tsun has its appeal because it's physical, progress is rapid, and the inner strength comes in time naturally.

Taiji is conceptually hard, less physical (in the sense of fighting, but strength training is just as demanding), requires a feeling for the inner strength, only then can you progress.

"Ones path must be clear, or run the risk of tripping" -Me

I do have total faith in Taiji, and I feel it is very powerful, and an important long term martial art, where Ving Tsun may decline with age, though I do believe that like Taiji it should enrich with age.

I just don't have a lot of faith in myself at times, Hmmm isn't crisis interesting.

Image Source...

One Hundred and Twenty Seven

2010-09-11T08:45:00.003+10:00

"The world can only be grasped by action, not by contemplation." -Jacob Bronowski

I recently watched the new Ip Man movie, "The Legend is Born - Ip Man"
In a scene with Leung Bik played by the grand masters own son, Ip Chun, the old master states that despite differences in his form and moves, everything that comes from his fists is Wing Chun, at this point in the movie Ip Man is studying what his teachers call Authentic Wing Chun, and only the moves in the form is Authentic, Ip Chun's character is however absolutely correct in his belief that if you adhere to the principles of the system, anything he does from there is authentically from that system.

It got me thinking of Crabs... what you say??? Crabs? now don't panic, I refer to the tasty crustacean not the disease.
When we look at the crab we see the shell, yet we see it and say, thats a crab! what if it's just the shell with no insides? is it still crab? we can't eat the shell, so whats worthy and valuable is whats on the inside.
Taichi is like the crab, the inside moves the outside, what happens inside is more important, but unlike the crab, our shell is sensitive and soft... but for the most part, I like that Taichi is like the crab.

Actually it's something that was iterated by my Master last week, and I have been taught it before with Sifu Morgan, that the outward form is not Taichi, so if you master the internal, the external will follow, and the internal will follow what comes from the outside, and drive the form... in that case if the energy flow directs you to a technique thats not in the form, then it's still Taichi.

Image source...

Yoda isn't such a great teacher.

2010-09-10T20:18:00.005+10:00

"I've failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed." -Michael Jordan

In practice the old Jedi master Yoda is wrong when he said, “Do or do not... there is no try.” He could ahve learned a thing or two from Michael Jordan.

Because life is about trying, failing, and trying again to succeed, if you succeed on the first attempt, you don't really improve, true kung fu, or "skill from hard work" is born from many years of study to develop skill over time.

During that time you fail a lot, so if you listened to Yoda, you wouldn't really try, and if you did and failed, you wouldn't feel so great to try again, as we saw with young Luke, who after failing to raise his ship from the lagoon, went to sulk in the corner... it wasn't like it was going anywhere, a Kung fu master would have encouraged him to keep at it... then when he is ready to leave he'll raise the ship himself and leave... which would have buggered the story of the second star wars movie. haha.

One Hundred and Twenty One

2010-09-05T14:15:00.003+10:00

"Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less." -Marie Curie

I was wondering about what I have heard about the marrow and bone changing effects of Taichi, now my understanding of this could be quite wrong, so please don't quote me on this, but, if Taichi condenses and strengthens bone marrow, and gives bones greater elasticity and strength, isn't that one of the reasons advanced Taichi players get sick less? after all marrow is used by the bodies immune system to fight disease, so if your marrow is denser and more potent, your body has greater reserves to fight off infections, right?

I was also pondering that with the effects of zero gravity our astronauts have problems with muscle and bone wastage, maybe they need to look into Taichi? now I know what you are saying, if you can't stand firm in space, how can you do Taichi, well simply put, the graceful exercise that you see is not Taichi, Taichi is whats going on in the inside, how the movement is generated, not the movement itself.

Anyway, just a exorcism of thoughts, the problems of the astronauts wont really effect the majority of us, but perhaps our general lives could all be of a better quality, beyond and excluding material things, if we all did Taichi?

:)

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One Hundred and Fifteen

2010-08-30T16:37:00.003+10:00

"If you always put limit on everything you do, physical or anything else. It will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." -Bruce Lee

Never limit yourself, aim high, but what you aim at is not your destination, it is merely something to aim for, once you are there you will go beyond it.

As with anything the road is not smooth, it is rough, hard, and unforgiven, when you come across a plateau, persevere and eventually you'll climb beyond it again, but only if you do not loose sight of your goal.

Everything matters, everything changes, the only thing that doesn't change is that we are always changing, and we all matter.

"Can you imagine what I would do if I could do all I can?" -Sun Tzu

I must say that I do not use my time to the fullest that I could, but what would happen if I used all my time to it's fullest? what if I worked to my full potential? I think fear stops me from doing this, whats wrong with me? perhaps it's better to ease yourself into something than go full on and maybe burn out! is that what I am afraid of? or am I afraid of what I could become if I truly applied myself?

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One Hundred and Eight

2010-08-23T21:42:00.002+10:00

"To purify the mind, start by reducing desires and knowing contentment; to purify society, start by extending loving care to others."

Wow even my blogging is a habit... yeah you guessed it, Taichi exercises done and feeling good, no walkies today though.

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One Hundred and Seven

2010-08-22T21:16:00.003+10:00

"Knowing others is intelligence,
knowing yourself is true wisdom.

Mastering others is strength,
Mastering yourself is true power"

by Lao-Tzu

I think I might stop these daily training blog posts, but it has been good to do 100 of them now that it's very much a habit that i train everyday now. yay.

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One Hundred and Six

2010-08-21T21:03:00.004+10:00

"Stay sung (relax). When practicing the form you must keep relaxed. In time you will find that it will become part of your physical and mental state." - Cheng Man Ching (1947)

Good morning Taiji exercises today, not much else to report than that and a great day about about town.

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One Hundred and Five

2010-08-20T16:33:00.008+10:00

A POEM TO A TAOIST HERMIT

CHUANJIAO MOUNTAIN by Wei Yingwu

My office has grown cold today;
And I suddenly think of my mountain friend
Gathering firewood down in the valley
Or boiling white stones for potatoes in his hut....
I wish I might take him a cup of wine
To cheer him through the evening storm;
But in fallen leaves that have heaped the bare slopes,
How should I ever find his footprints!

Completed my morning and evening training, and my mind has wandered to a simpler life with less worries and a more brightly colored future for my family.

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One Hundred and Four

2010-08-19T16:18:00.004+10:00

"All must stay connected; if one part of the body moves all parts must move. If one part of the body is still all parts must be still." - Cheng Man Ching (1947)

Worked on the exercises and went for a good walk this morning, got class tonight which will be good, I am enjoying class.

Class tonight was great, Master Yek really explains things well, totally makes sense and I can see why we do the exercises, I mean I knew they were for something, but when he explains them, it is so much deeper than I would have expected, so this is all very good stuff indeed.

I was wondering about Prof. Cheng's quote above, how all tings must be connected, as we are also taught separation, So I was confused how the two can be the same.
It occurs to me that even though you can separate parts of your body movement, it's still connected to the whole movement, yin is connected to yang, but is not yang, so therefore is separated with different characteristics.

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One Hundred and Three

2010-08-18T07:16:00.005+10:00

"The dantien is where the chi finds its root - the yongquan is where the body finds its root." - Koh Ah Tee (1996)

Only managed one session of training today, so thats a 30mins of Taiji, I felt it is making progress, but feel like I need more practice a day now.

"The art of simplicity is a puzzle of complexity." - Douglas Horton

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One Hundred and Two

2010-08-17T07:39:00.005+10:00

"In real Tai Chi Chuan you receive; you don't go out looking." - Koh Ah Tee (1996)

I also quite like the saying...

"If I do not practice for one day, I can tell the difference... If I do not practice for two days, my teachers can tell the difference... If I do not practice for three days, everyone can tell the difference."

Busy day today, only managed a 30min combined morning and evening session today, but somethign if better than nothing - it effects me though.

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One Hundred and One

2010-08-16T08:25:00.010+10:00

"Real Tai Chi Chuan when looked at appears very simple.

All of the gong fu, however, is on the inside.
The inside is trained so that it will affect the outside.
Change occurs from the inside out." - Koh Ah Tee (1996)

I like this quote, it explains TCC to me better or as good as any quote I have heard before.

I believe it is why it remains a secret art, and by secret I mean shielded from outside eyes.

Unless you are taught, you won't grasp even it's basic form, it is indeed something you need to be taught by a good teacher, it is also secret because it is dam hard to master, even with all the answers provided on a silver platter, it's possible that one may not understand it.

Worked this morning on the exercises, focusing mostly on the first of the six this week.

Again this afternoon, and tonight, plus a few sets of the 37form pt1.

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One Hundred Days Of Continuous Unbroken Practice

2010-08-15T12:59:00.005+10:00

"Other times, you're doing some piece of work and suddenly you get feedback that tells you that you have touched something that is very alive in the cosmos." - Leonard Nimoy

Wow one hundred days of continuous Taiji practice, that is training/practicing for no less than ten minutes twice a day with no days off, of which I'm routinely doing over an hour a day total.

It's a very good exercise indeed, and I will continue onto my second set of one hundred days, I am eager to see how my attitude from each hundred to the next will change.

As I go forward with my own training, and in time when I start teaching, I will promote this continuous practice philosophy, and I hope others try it as well.

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Ninety Nine

2010-08-14T09:11:00.002+10:00

Practiced the six and the five exercises, focusing mostly on the six, namely Up/down and Snaking Spine exercises as those are the two I am clearest on, and since Master Yek has only emphasized those for me at the moment, then they are my primary focus to get as right as I can across the next week.

Will do a form set later today, and the exercises again tonight before bed.

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Ninety Eight

2010-08-13T13:34:00.005+10:00

Got a ton of information last night from senior student, Willie, and Master Yek, so loads to work on with just exercise #1 from the six exercises.

It is very important though that I get it right as it is a most powerful skill to have for later, it's all I have practiced today actually.

Kinda sore at the moment though, but I will work on it some more tonight as well.

Who would'a thought that soft would be so hard. ;)

We are here to add what we can to life, not to get what we can from life. - William Osler

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Ninety Seven

2010-08-12T14:54:00.004+10:00

“There is no failure, only feedback.”
Morning exercises completed, and feeling good, still lots and lots to work on in what I have been taught already, but each week the corrections and info compiles on-top of that, so yeah, it's very deep.

Class tonight, looking forward to that, never know what to expect. LOL

I am feeling much more positive this week compared to the past few weeks, more to look forward to now. :)

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Ninety Six

2010-08-11T09:18:00.004+10:00

"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible."
Dalai Lama

This week I am trying to work on maintaining good knee alignment, knees over toes, and my thought last week on exercise three was incorrect, but the solution/correction from the answer has helped me solve the slight lower back pain issue with the exercise.

This morning I have worked on the Six and the Five exercises, will do the 37form tonight, with another set of the exercises before bed.

Woo hoo, nearly to 100 days of continuous practice.

“A jug fills drop by drop.” ~ Buddha

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Ninety Five

2010-08-10T16:45:00.006+10:00

Trapped inside today due to crap weather, and work to be done.

But as Taichi is so useful in such cases, you need no equipment, and no room to work on it.

So as per usual, a good session of the exercises this morning, and I will work on the form tonight, with another set of the exercises as well.

"Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known." - Carl Sagan

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Ninety Four

2010-08-09T07:35:00.006+10:00

"Drink your food, and eat your drink"

Those Victoria steps are getting easier to run up now, still puffed, but the exercise is much easier, it's all about feelings, a heavy heart will weigh you down as it were.

Otherwise a top notch walk around the botanical gardens in Sydney, one day I think I'll do my Taichi over there, not sure why I am not doing it now. ;)

Finished this morning's Taichi exercises and 42 form practice, tonight I'll do a few sets of the 32form, and I also have a lesson with Diane this afternoon.

And still on the food theme while in the spirit of the yin yang, "Leave the table a little bit hungry" - Cheng Man-Ching

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Ninety Three

2010-08-08T11:29:00.005+10:00

"When sleeping, lay on your right"

Ah ha! lazy Sunday! Only completed one session of taichi today with the usual levels of Yin and Yang. ;)

Otherwise it was a great day, morning walk with my wife, and a very nice afternoon with some great news.

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Ninety Two

2010-08-07T15:42:00.007+10:00

"When sitting, the back of the chair is for the coat"

Out and about with wifey today, so did a good morning session of Taichi, and made a bit of a realization with relaxing exercise three while focusing on hips driving all movement, so I'll confirm it with Diane on Monday.

Don't slouch

;)

Ninety One

2010-08-06T16:56:00.005+10:00

"When standing choose a leg"

Got out for a good walk this morning, I hit a few more steps today to get the cardio up more than usual, my fitness needs it.

Once home I worked on the exercises and the opening of the 42form.

"Self-respect is the root of discipline; the sense of dignity grows with the ability to say no to oneself." - Abraham J Heschel

A great quote and it is something I am learning, or at least know already, I just need to be better.

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Ninety Days Of Continuous Unbroken Practice

2010-08-05T07:19:00.010+10:00

"Walk like a camel in the sand"

Walk this morning, Taichi exercises, then class tonight.

For some reason I was in pretty good nature all day, then half way through class I was overcome by sadness which bummed me out allot, I believe I know why it happened, but it meant that I didn't get as much out of class as I could have... basically my personal life invaded my training.

"Wonder rather than doubt is the root of all knowledge." - Abraham J Heschel

Wonderment, curiosity, a tenacious need to know, is always a better mind set to have than doubt, or self restraint to the point that you humble yourself into an unlearn-able student.

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Eighty Nine

2010-08-04T18:40:00.004+10:00

Not much to say today, which is also a good thing. haha

Morning walk for an hour, puffy hands, another good thing I tell you.

Taichi exercises done and progressing, I think, just trying to practice the corrections that I have learned in the last week.

Another short session tonight before bread.

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Eighty Eight

2010-08-03T07:25:00.004+10:00

Morning exercises were good, my lesson yesterday gave me a lot to work on, specifically slowing down and taking my time more with them.

Quality over quantity is that I have been told, I am really trying to be mindful of learning the basics really well before I start on the form more.

Diane was great, she really enjoys teaching and keeps the whole experience in perspective for me.

"using the yielding to overcome the unyielding." - Cheng Man Ch'ing

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Steppin Out

2010-08-02T10:53:00.008+10:00

RE: Taichi Step Walking

My findings on step walking… step stepping? LOL

Method:
Well simply put, it is like walking while maintaining a smooth horizon, the body from the waist up, especially the head should remain on a smooth line, no bobbing up and down as you step up or down.

1. maintain an upright line by lifting with your mind in the Bai Hui
2. when taking each step, step down into the ground/step half a foot below the surface, like a camel walking in sand.
(between 1 and 2 you are rooted into the ground, but suspended by heaven, to quote a classic)
3. when taking the step look not to the step, but to the horizon step, or the top of the flight (but I think looking up will violate 1.)
4. while you transfer and move from one step to another maintain a level and smooth path, like your Dian Tien is leading your path.
5. keep moving from one step to the next, the feeling should be even, smooth and continuous, forever sinking, not pushing up with your legs.

When I follow the above method, I find that during a deep slow breath in while stepping, I can feel a distinct lift feeling from three points on my body, two along the spine namely the lower back, and between the shoulder blades, then the last in the crown of the head.

During the breath in, stepping feels almost weightless with a feeling of being lifted… alas it grounds during a breath out, I can’t sustain it… yet. :)

Anyway thats what I have noticed so far on this exercise.

Eighty Seven

2010-08-02T07:33:00.003+10:00

If playing the same game I would have to put my money on the big guy, but what sums up Taichi more than this picture, truly size does not matter where skill is concerned.

Then again, he's a pretty big guy! hehe

Went for an hour's walk around the gardens and the bays this morning to get the blood pumping.

Once home I worked on the six and the five exercises, followed by the first three positions of the 42form.

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This picture is great and it reminds me how much we have to learn from our elderly, and how cherished they are, what they have experienced in a lifetime should not be allowed to go to waste all because our culture is so focused on the young/thin/shallow ideal, experience is golden.

I've arranged another Taichi lesson for today with Ms Diane Ammar, so I'll be going over there to get some extra pointers in the basics of Sing Ong Taichi, so that should be fun.

I'll do another thirty minutes of Taichi before bed as well, more focused on the 37form and the eight essentials.

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Seperation

2010-08-01T15:20:00.001+10:00

The Thing I love about these birds is their natural ability to separate the movement of the branch and the stillness of the head, separation of yin and yang? Awesome.

:)

Eighty Six

2010-08-01T09:14:00.003+10:00

Completed a session of the six and th five exercises, followed by the start of the 42 form.

This evening I'll do some work on the 37form and the bear exercise.

Something that I recall with allot of interest is the energy that you can feel in a room where allot of people are unified and moving in time.

At first it's scattered, unfocused, each part/person doing a separated movement, but when they unify, that no one part is more important than the other, that together it is richer and more potent, something really special can happen.

A single drop has no power, but when an ocean is behind it, there is terrifying power.

Eighty Five

2010-07-31T21:26:00.003+10:00

Not much to report today, or to rant or think about really.

Had a good 1hour session of taichi this morning, and a busy afternoon, and there you go. :)

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Eighty Four

2010-07-30T11:27:00.004+10:00

"Ha! your Chicken style is no match for my Yak style"

Well not technically a day eighty four picture I just couldn't resist the urge to put it up today.

Good class last night, looks like this year's emphasis for my training will be on basics, and I am very happy about that, I want to get that ground work down solid.

This morning I did a bit more on the Six and the Five exercises than usual, approx 5min (timed) per exercise, focusing on technique and basics points that I was shown last night.

Followed by four sets of the 37form pt1

Tonight I'll do the Bear, and the 37form pt1 for another thirty minutes.

“Knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is enlightenment.” - Lao Tzu

I had in interesting conversation with a classmate last night about what he considered a total waste of time, and that is kicking.

It came up while we were talking about our past training or something, and he tsk tsked Korean martial arts, and that kicking is, as I described, a waste of practical time.

Now strictly speaking, I don't stem from a Korean martial art background, but the kung fu system I studied under Master Chan, does have it's roots in Taekwondo, but has been completely rebuilt from the ground up.

I of coursed disagreed, but do acknowledge that in every tournament fight, I have been in I only seldom kicked, opting for for a boxing strategy, and have kicked, and spin kicked a few people over the years, but only cause they left themselves open to it.
However I do not believe it is wise to discount anyone, or any style, all because it differs from ones experience, or instruction, of what works.

Kicking is in fact great exercise, it teaches timing, distancing, balance, relaxation, and flexibility... something that some styles that do not use high kicks can not appreciate, it also doesn't mean that you must use your kicks in a fight, but it is there as an option that would ordinarily be closed to you, and it also gives you insight on how to combat people that do kick.

I still keep my kicks in order even though I am studying taichi now, so as I learn to follow the energy flow in combat, I'll have the option to fire off a kick if it is called for, besides Taichi has kicks too. :)

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Eighty Three

2010-07-29T08:09:00.007+10:00

Morning exercises done, six relaxing and five loosening exercises, followed by the bear, and the 42form opening, commencement, and left ward off a few times.

During the day I worked on the form a few more times, and even played with the combat fast form a little bit.

Got class tonight, so that will count for my evening session, and then some, it should be interesting cause you never know what you are going to learn from week to week.

------------------------------------

Just a thought, this might be the reason for those suspicious couches that a few accuse some masters of using to trip their students during push hands lessons, where as in reality I believe a caring Master uses a soft medium for a student to land on when he applies downward energy.

I once urged Master Chan to push with me away from the couch, and I still ended up on my arse, but that time it hurt! haha

BTW I am not affiliated with the Zhaobao Taiji people, I just thought that this video showed what happens when you don't have a couch hehe.

Eighty Two

2010-07-28T11:44:00.004+10:00

Wow getting closer to one hundred now, excellent, it feels like this 100 has taken ages.

Last weeks practice seemed to take ages to get from Thursday to Thursday, but this week is just flying by.

I don't feel like I have had enough time to get my lessons inline this week.

I got this morning's practice done, about 30 or 40minutes worth, also a few sessions of the form during the day.

"Life is half spent before we know what it is." - George Herbert

It took me over 34 years to get started on this path, I really wish I started earlier, but without that exposure when I was young there was no way I could have started, and I doubt I was ready to start on it until last year... then again I do remember noticing it when I was 18 and starting on Ving Tsun, perhaps I could have jumped ship then? ahh well would'a could'a...

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Eighty One

2010-07-27T09:52:00.004+10:00

Daily morning practice completed, and now I'm turning my attention to doing some work. ;)

“Ambition is the path to success. Persistence is the vehicle you arrive in.” - Bill Bradley

“Intelligence without ambition is a bird without wings.” - Salvador Dali

There is no sin greater than ambition; no calamity greater than discontent; no vice more sickening than covetousness. He who is content always has enough. - Lao Tzu

"Those who know others are intelligent; those who know themselves have insight.
Those who master others have force; those who master themselves have strength.
Those who know what is enough are wealthy.
Those who persevere have aspiration.
Those who maintain their position endure.
And those who die and yet do not perish, live on." - Lao Tzu

There seem to be many quotes on the positives and negatives of ambition, and even Lao Tzu states that ambition is a sin, I think the definition of ambition, that is an ambition driven by greed, is indeed negative... but if one is to do well they must aspire, which is a word I like more I think.

What i am wondering is, is it permissible in Taichi to aspire to a goal? or to have ambition for? or is this too non-Taoist?

Because as far as I can see, there is no way to progress well without a level of aspiration and even a touch of stress to fortify the mind and body while studying in class.
I am in now way saying that this is without patience and persistence, ultimately I feel you need Patience, Persistence, Aspiration, and practice... otherwise why would you study anything if you did not aspire to a goal? to obtain? to understand?

Insight - to know oneself
Strength - not physical, but inner strength
Wealthy - wealth from experience and relationship not money
Aspiration - to know your goal, find the path, and to set a course to achieve it.
Endurance - born from practice, persistence, patience.

IMHO.

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Eighty Days Of Continuous Unbroken Practice

2010-07-26T15:22:00.005+10:00

Good morning of Taichi, still a bit stiff with number two of the six relaxing exercises, but the skipping one is kinda fun... well until I am taught it properly I bet. LOL

I worked on the opening of the 42 more, and trying to make it clean and smooth, I also worked on the combat form a little bit at lunch time, mostly on the start of the form as I don't have allot of room at home.

Re: Step walking, How’s this?
In typical Taichi fashion there's many things to do at the same time, to illustrate that I’ll borrow a Scotty quote from Star Trek, “…is like trying to hit a bullet, with a smaller bullet, while riding a horse, blind folded…!”

So far I have found that using Taichi to walk easily up steps is going to use up some energy, it’s just the nature of moving mass from one height to another… but this seems to ease the effort, with this method I have found that I don't get puffed and have less muscle ache.

The technique?
Well simply it is like walking while maintaining a smooth horizon, with the body from the waist up, especially the head, which should remain on a smooth line/path, no bobbing up and down as you step up or down.

1. maintain an upright line by lifting with your mind in the Bai Hui
2. when taking each step, step down into the ground/step half a foot below the surface, like a camel walking in sand.
(between 1 and 2 you are rooted into the earth, and suspended by heaven, to quote a classic, like a puppet's string)
3. when taking the step look not to the step, but to the horizon step (ahead), or the top of the flight of stairs (but I think looking up will violate #1.)
4. with hips forward, while you transfer and move from one step to another maintain a level and smooth path, like your Dian Tien is leading your path.
5. keep moving from one step to the next, the feeling should be even, smooth and continuous, feet forever sinking and head level, not pushing up with your legs.
6. Oh and Relax! I bet you never heard that one before LOL

It seems to be working.

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Seventy Nine

2010-07-25T08:12:00.004+10:00

Today was a top day personally, really enjoyed this morning's exercises, plus Bear, gr LOL.

This morning we went into town for the Aroma food festival, which was awesome, and also a few flight of stairs to work on this skills project.

I'll have to spend some time trying to articulate my thoughts on the stairs, there is an ease and easy way to traverse stairs with Taichi theory, but I need to think how to write it up, then work on it more. But yeah cool.

Then finished this evening with a number of repetitions, of the 42 form opening and commencement.

Legs are tired!

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Seventy Eight

2010-07-24T08:14:00.006+10:00

Not much to write, so why bother? LOL

I completed my daily training, feel good, and had a great day.

Got a wee project this week though... link... so it'll will be interesting to work on it. hehe

It's basically using Taichi for an everyday act, in my case it's step walking as there are a few huge flights of steps around our place in Sydney, and it would help allot to find an easier way to climb them than to use leg muscle strength.

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Seventy Seven

2010-07-23T07:22:00.005+10:00

After class last night it became clear to me that I have to make full use of the week in-between classes to really try and nail what I have learned each week.

Obviously it's an ongoing long term huge learning curve, but you gotta just stop starting and just do it, right?

"We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are." -Anais Nin

This week i am trying to focus on getting a clear definition for each part of the opening of the 42 form, and flow from one position to the next without pause, but also without running/mashing the gears together.

Today I did the relaxing exercises, the five exercises, then the 42 up to left ward off, probably over 40 times.

Then just to keep it clear in my head I practiced the 37form as well... I am wondering though, if the two need a good time gap in-between each other so as not to migrate stuff from one to the other, which would be wrong, in future I'll do one at the start of the day and the other at the end of the day.

I got a sweet up to, which surprised me once i was finished... also last night at class us beginners spent most of the class at the back of the hall practicing the opening, it's deceptively hard and I didn't notice at all, but when i got home I just hit the sack and fell asleep really fast.

Why do I (a youngish person) study Taichi?
I kind of think of it like this, if I start Taichi young, I can take advantage of compound interest on my studies, ie a little bit ($10) tucked away each week over time grows exponentially, so by the time i am more advanced in my years, in theory, my Taichi/health should be that much better... right?
If that is so, then if I practice everyday ($70 a week), then in 20 or so years, the interest should be that much further advanced... right?

Why the blog?
The Taichi journey seems to be an internal one, so unless I vocalize what i think about it, how can anyone correct me or offer an alternative insight.

I also try to find a Taichi solution to most things i run into, with limited success so far, but like any muscle, it needs to be exercised.

There are allot of steps in my daily life, I am trying to float up and down them (less bob… yeah I know, I’m a freak.), my latest theory is to put the mind in my Bai Hui point, and try to load my legs like springs… step, transfer weight, let leg and Bai Hui raise body up to next step, as opposed to lifting with leg muscles… limited success yet though.

"Without lifting your Bai Hui point, even 30 years of practice would be a waste of time." -Master Yang Cheng-Fu

http://www.martialdevelopment.com/blog/three-benefits-from-lifting-your-bai-hui-point/

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Seventy Six

2010-07-22T11:49:00.004+10:00

Bit late writing this up, but I was pretty tired when i got home from class last night.

Usual morning, did Qi Gong, Six and Five exercises, then worked on the 42form opening for a bit.

Class was good last night, got allot of information and a bit more to work on for this week, starting to get a clearer direction for how this is supposed to feel now, so much to learn and everyone is so far ahead of me... but you know, from the most junior student to the most advanced, it's all Taichi, even if you're only doing one movement, we're all working on the same thing, if your basics aren't solid, whats the point right?

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Seventy Five

2010-07-21T11:52:00.005+10:00

"Thinking is one thing no one has ever been able to tax." - Charles Kettering

Yet because it is so taxing, very few do it to their fullest capacity, and we are the all poorer for it.

Yep you guessed it, did my exercises today, yet i do not feel I am doing enough. I really have to get back to doing it as soon as I get up, again at lunch time, and then finish with a session in the evening before bed.

I think I'll ask Master Yek's advice about what I should do each day.

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Seventy Four

2010-07-20T07:58:00.003+10:00

I like this picture, the Laughing Buddha is a good one, a reminder to be kind, charitable, light of heart, and generous to others at all times.

Morning exercise routine, but wasn't able to get out for a walk today.

Spent some time today on the Qi Shi, and the exercises, I was working all day, but took time out each hour or so to practice, hopefully I am practicing it properly. LOL

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Seventy Three

2010-07-19T21:01:00.004+10:00

I did my exercises, nothing much to report, I hope I can get the lesson right sooner or later, I think I understand they why but it's just trying to teach my stubborn body how.

"If you obey all the rules you miss all the fun." - Katharine Hepburn

Only when you obey the rules to learn them so completely to the point that it is understood from your breath to your bone and second nature, can you have the understanding to break or alter them, only then can the fun begin.

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Seventy Two

2010-07-18T09:20:00.006+10:00

Well the wine and food show was ok, the Wellington one is far better though, the Sydney one is more wine than food, and not as many samples, I can't complain though I found a nice single malt whiskey... very nice.

I've been told that whiskey is good for Chi

I went on a nice one hour walk with my wife this morning, I find it really gets the blood flowing and the sensitivity up, then once home worked on the six and the five exercises, concentrating more on what I have been taught on the first of the six, and the start of the 42, which is vitally important to get right, if you don't have the opening right, all the rest is weaker for it, least thats my understanding.

Why the pencils? the structure, like anything, if any one part fails it'll result in the disruption of the whole.

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Seventy One

2010-07-17T09:37:00.005+10:00

Busy Saturday ahead, filled with shopping, housework, and later this afternoon, the Sydney good food and wine show.

So I got started early with a solid set of the six and the five exercises, followed by the Bear.

Of the six I focused more on the first exercise, followed that by working specifically on the 42, Preparation (Yù Bèi Shì), and mostly on Commencement (Qì Shì).

I get what I need to do, and I can kind of get the feeling that is described to me, but it's very hard to over write the muscle reaction to engage.

I am exploring a clearing of the mind to allow for the feeling of the movement, as opposed to thinking of it, I feel that the outer muscle is engaged by thinking, where as I think feeling (chi) can do it without the outer muscles.

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Seventy Days Of Continuous Unbroken Practice

2010-07-16T22:11:00.004+10:00

I had my first class with Master Yek last night, and I have been given my learning task for the week, and the year.

It's very exciting studying under a master like Master Yek, and I am feeling really positive about my future study under him, now I just need to diligently do my exercises, studies, and with time I hope I'll get it.

Class:
Was given the details I needed for the first of the six exercises, which directly relates to the second set of details I was given to practice, the opening for the 42... Preparation, and Commencement (Qi Shi).

This morning and this evening, I went through the exercises, and then standing meditation / dan tien breathing, followed by Qi Shi practice.

I am not being to hard on myself that I can't do it properly yet, but that it takes time, and as long as I work at it, it should come in time. :)

Muddy water, let stand, becomes clear. - Lao Tzu

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Sixty Nine

2010-07-15T07:57:00.009+10:00

I was left with a bit of a dilemma today, in search for a picture for the number sixty nine, I decided to avoid the usual, and predictable, internet image search and go with an old picture of mine.

Back when I was looking for a sign weather I should pursue my interest in Taichi, or continue with Kung Fu... I was drinking a hot chocolate drink when I looked down and the froth on the drink had formed a Yin Yang, I took a picture and booked my first lesson in Taichi.

yoink.

Ok, this morning worked on the Six relaxing, and the five loosening exercises, followed by the Constant Bear, the 42 and the 37 forms (What I know or remember of them that is).

I am feeling pretty stiff about the Bear, and a few other of the exercises, but I guess when you feel something you can work on it, if you can't, then you can't.

I have to say though, at day sixty nine, I am really enjoying training more each day, and I am feeling that I am definitely regaining my obsession for Taichi and martial arts, now lets see if that translates that into "Persistence and Patience in Practice."

Sixty Seven

2010-07-14T20:59:00.000+10:00

Started this morning with the Six and the Five exercises, followed by the Bear. I also worked on the circular arm fan exercise that we were shown last week, I like it as it feels really warming.

Then I worked on the CMC37form part1, with keeping "crossing deep stream", and "Like clouds around mountain" in mind.

Then I continued with my head scratching, as I try to remember what I have seen of the 42 form.

At lunch time I set about working on a few bits of the Yue Xiu Ting applied combat form, I am a bit shaky with it, and need to find some better place to practice it better.

"Tai Chi Chuan Classics say that if you want to push upward, you must first go downward." - Cheng Man Ch'ing

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PS. My picture choice for the day? Well, it about sums me up inside, but to progress with Taichi I need to let it go a bit while maintaining my passion for it.

Taichi and Sword to the Scabbard

2010-07-14T17:41:00.005+10:00

A teacher of mine used this analogy a while ago, and I have modified it slightly, I do hope he approves.

In regards to Taichi for health, and Taichi for martial arts.

Taichi is like a sword, in the right hands it's a deadly weapon, but without a scabbard the sword will quickly tarnish, become damaged, blunted, rusty, and ruined.

In Taichi the Scabbard is the Qigong/health benefits of Taichi, one without the other is less than either side.

Sixty Six

2010-07-13T15:50:00.004+10:00

This morning I had a job interview, but once I got home I worked on the six and the five exercises, plus the bear, the 37form and the 42 form.. least the bits I know.

Actually got a bit of a sweat on and I wasn't doing it hard or anything, just did 40mins to an hour, it's very relaxing.

"When his opponent directs a furious blow against him, he neither returns the blow nor withstands it." - Cheng Man Ch'ing

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Sixty Five

2010-07-12T11:31:00.005+10:00

Actually a good start to the day today, Worked on the six and the five exercises, the bear, then the 37form, and what I could recall of the 42form.

Friends of mine and myself went to watch the new Karate Kid movie, and for the most part is was very good, funny, touching, and the fights were very visceral.

Unfortunately, Some of the lines in it were almost exact copies of the original movie, and each event paralleled the old movie as well, which I still feel is better.

Otherwise, It was good to see Jackie Chan in a role like this, I think it's a great turn for him now that he's getting older, I personally would like to see him more as the teacher, mentor to the young hero who gets all beat up, it's a good transition.

Otherwise it's a good debut for the young Jaden Smith on his first movie without Daddy, and we should expect good things from him in the future.

"When you are through changing, you are through." - Bruce Barton

Sixty Four

2010-07-11T14:13:00.003+10:00

Went on a huge walk today, right across the Sydney harbor bridge, the road walk, not the up and over madness. LOL

Didn't do much today, just 20min breathing practice today, I like to do more, but it wasn't on the cards today unfortunately, however it is always good to take time to breathe.

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Sixty Three

2010-07-10T19:53:00.004+10:00

Completed the Qigong Form this morning followed by the Shong Sheng Wu Fa exercises, and a exercise that is part of the 42form that i was taught on Thursday, all up over 30mins of feel good taichi fun... seriously the basics are most important.

I am slowly coming out of my down Taichi funk, I think I'll be full into it again soon.

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Sixy Two

2010-07-09T07:52:00.003+10:00

Feeling a bit anti-Taichi today, but finally got around to a basic 20min set, ho hum.

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Sixty One

2010-07-08T07:52:00.003+10:00

Went for a 1.5hour walk, which was good.

Then I did my Qigong form, the five exercises, and the forms.

So all in all a successful session, nothing else to report, Taichi class was at 7pm and was ok.

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Sixty Days Of Continuous Unbroken Practice

2010-07-07T07:37:00.005+10:00

Busy work day today, got the morning routine down, very hard work but enjoyable at same time, kind of bitter sweet. LOL

I have class tomorrow night, so I'm backing off of the waist strengthening exercises as they inflame my back muscles when I am new to them, soft, it takes time to get used to them.

I think I'll do the combat form Thursday's, Friday's, Monday's, and Tuesdays.

There are three constants in life... change, choice and principles. - Stephen Covey

- The only thing that never changes is that we are always changing.
- Every choice you make effects your future, but you have to make them or the future will pass you by.
- Only with principles can you take full advantage of the previous two.

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Fifty Nine

2010-07-06T08:00:00.003+10:00

Got up today with allot of enthusiasm but all in all it was a pretty quiet day today, but did 30 or so minutes of Taichi this morning, and 20 minutes this evening.

Legs feel stiff, I think I need to do more standing practice, and posture holding work to try and start breaking my leg muscles in again.

Fifty Eight

2010-07-05T13:37:00.004+10:00

Did my Taichi exercises and forms this morning, got some good feelings going too, really helps get the blood flowing without tiring out the system in general.

This afternoon I did an hour on the combat form, and the strengthening exercises... it's pretty good stuff, demanding though.

Tonight I settled in with the five loosening exercises, 4 or 5 sets of the 37form Pt1, and 8 or 10 reps of the 42 form up to first left ward off.

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Fifty Seven

2010-07-04T15:34:00.005+10:00

Kept it lite today as it is Sunday after all so no squats tonight, but this morning I worked on standing and breathing for 10minutes, then a few sets of the form.

Then tonight I did the Sheng Shong Wu Fa exercises, followed by the constant bear, and the Taichi forms.

I am really getting back into training now, and will start scaling it up somewhat to at least 20mins a day, and ideally 2hours a day for as long as I can manage, that will be morning training, afternoon, and evening trainign as well, so to that end I'll have to find a public spot somewhere to work on the combat form, I miss doing it, and it has many positive attributes that I should work on, the least of which is some exercise to combat my waist line.

LOL yep thats right, good living, and no Morgan around to whip me into shape has left me with a growing problem around the waist that I need to fix now before it becomes a BIG problem. LOL

Funny thing, the Karate Kid movie was on tv tonight, and it brought back many memories from the time, and is one of those things that inspired me to learn martial arts, of course the tipping point for me was a fight I was in when I was 18 or 19 years old, I did OK, but I decided after that to learn to be better so I wouldn't get so injured next time.

But back to the movie, I know it's one of those movies that people make fun of, and criticized for creating many cliche's, but you know... there's some good stuff in there, for example...

The problem with the bullies really stems from them being taught by an arrogant man thats teaching a martial art with no connection to the culture from where it is from, or else he would have taught his students better manners and respect for others... and this is a big deal, cause in all the years I've been training I have only met one person that was a bully/asshole/little prick, and for that school he was an anomaly.

In Daniel's training he is taught very strong basics, stance, and foundation though balance, which gave all his basic skills a strong base and power... these basics were installed in him through menial tasks, which taught his body the muscle memory to do the move at hand... wax on wax off. :)

So all in all, this is the first time I saw this movie in many years, and the first time since I started martial arts, I'm impressed, great movie with loads of soul.

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Fifty Six

2010-07-03T09:49:00.004+10:00

Big day today, but I got started early with the six and the five, followed by the 42 first posture 10x and the 37 pt1 3x.

Jo and I walked into town, and as she shopped I was thankful for the morning charge up.

Tonight I will do the 5 exercises, the 37 form a few times, and end with the very taxing squats exercises and standing work.

Why the race car toy picture? Well like a complex fine machine, we must work slow, checking the gears, the set up, slowly refine, test and constantly rebuild the machine until it's totally strong and stable, only then can you start to push it's limits, and very rarely can we go full power and speed, but when we do, any errors will show up as wobbles, which will need to be corrected with careful study and correction. As it is with professional F1.

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Fifty Five

2010-07-02T10:46:00.004+10:00

Today I worked on some new exercises that I learned last night in class, they utilize six relaxing exercises, as well as the 5 loosening exercises.

There are a few differences in how they are done compared to how i was taught, and these are just school differences, which I am enjoying learning the why's and wherefores between both.

I also learned the first couple of postures to the 42 form, which has a very different feel to the 37form, mostly it's larger, more rounded.

This morning I worked on the 6 relaxing, well the best I could remember them, then the 5 loosening exercises, followed by a few sets of what i was shown of the 42form.

Tonight, much the same as this morning but I worked on the 37form.

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Fifty Four

2010-07-01T07:17:00.002+10:00

A good, but cool, walk today with lots of steps to walk up and down.

After I got home I worked on the five loosening exercises, and the 32 form. I didn't push it to hard cause I have a class to go to tonight, and there's no point pushing it to far before a class.

The wall squats are having a good effect again, getting more spring in my steps again which, I noticed, helps allot when walking up hill, it's like half the work is done for you.

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