Standing Qigong

I recently bought a book called Standing Qigong by Noel Plaugher.

It's a non jargon friendly guide to Zhan Zhuang for health and martial arts. It provides good instruction and I was especially heartened to read that his Xing Yi teacher also told him to think of nothing when standing San Ti posture.

The book is published by Singing Dragon and you can find out more here

Short Arms

In Tai Chi, we are told that we should use the whole body and not exert force purely from the arms.

You can start to work on this by imagining your arms end at your elbows

This should stop you from overextending in postures, for example, push.

Once you have got the idea then you can work on the arm ending at the shoulder, so there are no arms.

Think about it..

Keep Things Simple

I used to over intellectualise matters concerning tai chi.

Now I don't.

It doesn't help. It's a façade.

As an example, part of my training in Sun style is to stand in San Ti posture. When I was first introduced to it, I rushed to my books and researched it, looking at the various visualisations and what I could be focusing on. And there is a lot!

I discussed this with my teacher, a disciple of the late Sun Jian Yun.

" Just stand, don't think about anything" was the advice.

So I did. I moved away from my previous practises which involved focusing on different points and connecting them.

Over time I have found a clarity in the Sun style tai chi that I hadn't experienced before. When I practise the simple movements there is a wonderful directness about them. I am energised like never before.

This is of course just my personal experience. But I have found that overthinking doesn't help. Just keep it simple and experience directly. Try it.

Xing Yi Ai Shen Pao

I like this. Nice 2 person form and application. You can learn a lot about timing and footwork when performing 2 person sets. Look beyond the choreography!

The Cult of the Good Student.

You can come across Tai Chi instructors who will single you out as a Good Student. Or a Good Chap / Girl. Or you have Good Energy.

Sounds good, doesn't it? We all like a bit of praise.

But it is flattery. The " Good " label only lasts as long as you go along/agree  with or help the Instructor.
It is a form of manipulation. If you no longer "jump" or respond as expected you are quickly relegated to the " Bad " student category. This can cause you to become disheartened and possibly give up your Tai Chi. If you are still there the Instructor will get round to you again to give you the chance to become a "Good " student. And so the cycle continues.  It  has a taste of Pavlovian conditioning about it. I also believe it stems from some form of insecurity on the part of the Instructor.

As an Instructor one should strive to avoid labelling. All students are on their personal journey. They may continue to study with you or not. This is the natural way. You do your utmost to teach everyone what you understand to the best of your ability. Learn from all students. It's a two way process.

For further reading, I suggest Martial Arts Madness by Glenn Morris, Chapter 4 - The Gurus of Death Archetypes.

Step Back to Repulse the Monkey

A quick look at Step Back to Repulse the Monkey.

The waist has to turn both ways fairly tightly, like wringing a wet cloth. It is this action that causes the front foot to turn straight.

Cheng Man-ch'ing's 37 form application