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

Don't Yield

Here's an interesting take on Yielding from the Weakness with a Twist blog.

See http://www.northstarmartialarts.com/blog1/2015/1/19/dont-yield.html

Same Difference

Here is a short clip contrasting Punch under Elbow and Waving Hands in the Clouds from the Sun style and the Short Form John Kells taught me.

Anyone else do two different tai chi styles?