Tai Chi Dance of Yielding Equality

Tai Chi contains a fair number of 2 person training sets.

For example, 2 person fixed step pushing hands, various Ta Lu sets, 2 person weapons forms and

what John Kells called the "Dance".

The Dance is a 2 person fighting set. Perhaps this is a misnomer as it not fighting. What is teaches is timing, footwork, coordination, sticking, yielding, counter to counter and above all else, Spirit.

A frequent criticism is that it is a just a nicely choreographed sequence and sometimes this is not without foundation as people meander through it. However if you practise and investigate thoroughly, for example, how far is an attack welcomed in before you have to move, you can begin to see the value of this training. This type of fighting set also contains many applications from the solo forms.

I don't practise it much nowadays but I thought I would see what I looked like ( Vain but useful for feedback!). Unfortunately the battery on my camera ran out but there is enough footage to give you an idea. This is me doing it solo.

 

 

 

The Ribs

Pay attention to the opening and closing of the ribs as you do your form.

Master Hsieh Chi Sheng Part 1

Movement

The movement in Tai Chi comes from the spine.

Awkward Moment

Oh dear, I knew I should have worn my Chuck Norris Action Jeans!

Pushing HandsTip

There are 2 key points to pay attention to in single pushing hands:


1/At the end of your push, enter as if being pulled to present wars off. Don't stop at the end of the push and just present ward off. This is too static and means you have lost connection.

2/At the end of your yield, continue by imagining that it is pulling. In this way you continue to keep connection before returning with a push.

John's Blog

John Kells has a blog.


Check out www.johnkells.co.uk

Standing Exercise 3

This is the third standing exercise in the series.

The weight is  mostly on the back leg and the arms are embracing a column.

This is not the same as lifting hands.