Cat/Kid Punch Toy

I like this. Looks good for eye hand coordination.

Push Hands "Zhong Ding"

Cook Ding's Kitchen: Why She Practices Tai Chi Chuan

Why do you practice? When I first started Tai Chi there was something mysterious about it; this ancient Chinese art moving in slow motion. Then I wanted to be really good at it and poured hours of practice into it. Tai Chi was my life. Parenthood, ageing and cancer changed my perspective and priorities somewhat.

After 38 years of Tai Chi I no longer think about why I practice. It doesn't matter if I'm any good, whether I've mastered the techniques or not. The spiritual ramblings - time wasting and irrelevant.

I just do my form. The journey is more important than the destination.

Below is a link to a lovely blog post that got me thinking about why I practice.


Cook Ding's Kitchen: Why She Practices Tai Chi Chuan: In this beautiful little essay on her blog, Joan Lauri Pool explains why she practices Taijiquan under Maggie Newman. An excerpt is below....

No strength

The upper body/torso is along for the ride, sitting on the legs but ultimately sitting on the ground through them.

Empty the upper body, your arms, hands of the idea of using conventional strength so the ground can be directed through the body to wherever your intent is.

Tai Chi Fa-Jing Explosive Push Hands: Montaigue

Energy Sandwich

As per the teaching of John Kells, energy moves up the front and down the back.

I experience this as if being sandwiched by the two. But this is not a circuit in my body, rather a constant simultaneous flow/experience as I stand or move.

You immerse yourself in this stream. Two becomes one. One becomes nothing.

Repulse the Monkey Application

Nice application.

Zhang jizong complete video teaches Yang style push hands

www.exploringtaiji.com

There are some nice push hands drills  in this clip.