(No, they aren't "I love you," although they are a close second.)
I deal in uncertainties. Other martial artists are certain. They are certain that their teacher knew everything. They are certain of the history of their martial art, all the way back to the Paleolithic Era. Doubting either of these things will drive them to anger.
Me, I'm never more that 70% certain about anything in the martial arts. If I am more certain than that, it's a bad sign.
The reason the martial arts are dying these days is that people's egos are closing their minds. I'm out here setting aside my own ego, even reversing it. Every day, I try to prove what I think I know wrong. I'm delighted when someone pokes a massive hole in my theories.
This has cost me, and it will probably cost me more. I'm currently releasing books on "secret" styles. I expect to be ridiculed just for claiming Taiji lineage other than Yang Chengfu.
The only way the martial arts are going to survive is if we all get together and say the most powerful words in the world:
"I don't know."
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Friday, December 18, 2009
Real Training in the Chinese Arts
I just ran across an interview of Yang Fukui, a member of the Yang family who is known for his fighting prowess in full-contact competitions. I was immediately gratified to read that his training didn't consist of long forms, but rather of the individual movements in different combinations. This supports my arguments that modern Chinese arts are too focused on memorizing the forms and often fail to escape them. Here's a quotation (He's talking about Yang Banhou and Yang Jianhou, second-generation masters):
"First of all, they devoted most of their practice to gongfu and martial arts, not to health or “spiritual development,” although these two latter aspects certainly underlied their practice. Their emphasis was different. For example, they never practiced more than a two or three form or movements in sequence, in order to develop fighting skill and gongfu, and they never linked more than five forms together. There were no such things as the 24 or 85 or 108 form Taijiquan."
The entire article can be read here.
"First of all, they devoted most of their practice to gongfu and martial arts, not to health or “spiritual development,” although these two latter aspects certainly underlied their practice. Their emphasis was different. For example, they never practiced more than a two or three form or movements in sequence, in order to develop fighting skill and gongfu, and they never linked more than five forms together. There were no such things as the 24 or 85 or 108 form Taijiquan."
The entire article can be read here.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
A New Book
I'm excited to announce a new book is available for order, and a revised version of an older book.
The Kunlun Green Dragon Form book is available in trade paperback format.
The Indoor Yang Wise Hammers Form is now available in trade paperback as well as workbook format.
Links have been added to the right.
The Kunlun Green Dragon Form book is available in trade paperback format.
The Indoor Yang Wise Hammers Form is now available in trade paperback as well as workbook format.
Links have been added to the right.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Spinal Awakening Sequence
I have been getting a lot of questions about the spine, and how to prepare it for Daoist martial arts training.
Here is a video clip of the general sequence Master Baaht used to use to warm up the spine at the beginning of class. I've found that it is a good all-around conditioning exercise for the spine. Practice it consistently, every day.
I will probably put together a short instruction document and put it on the website shortly.
Here is a video clip of the general sequence Master Baaht used to use to warm up the spine at the beginning of class. I've found that it is a good all-around conditioning exercise for the spine. Practice it consistently, every day.
I will probably put together a short instruction document and put it on the website shortly.
Daoist Naming Conventions: Hidden Meaning in Movement Names, Part 3
Section III:
Internal Medicine
One of the main areas of study in Daoism is health and longevity. The Daoists have developed quite a collection of tools in this area.
Above is a picture of the Neijingtu, or “Internal Classic Diagram.” On the surface, we see a stylized map of a mountain range. If you look closely, you will see a map of the human body (the mountains represent the spine). This diagram very cleverly hides the secrets of Daoist internal practices.
The general imagery you should be thinking of is simply of a mountain with a moon above it. The mountain represents the spine, and the moon represents the head.
So, movements with names like “Moon Knocking on Mountain Gate” might have new meaning for you. “Ride Tiger, Push Mountain” or “Ride Tiger Back to Mountain” might now mean taking advantage of your opponent’s aggressive attack to attack the spine. Hold Moon to Chest might involve holding your opponent’s head to your core and breaking the neck or choking the opponent out.
Other more cryptic names may be referring to the classical names of acupuncture points or channels.
It’s important to remember that to a Daoist, it would be wasteful and poor Dé (efficient use of power) not to merge your healing work with your fighting work.
Daoist Naming Conventions: Hidden Meaning in Movement Names, Part 2
Section II:
Animal Styles
Just like Shàolín, the Daoist martial arts have animal styles. They tend to be much less imitative than Shàolín arts, and these days you won’t see many specific animal forms. You will find many movements with animals in them; especially white animals. The white animals seem to originate in the Kunlun? mountains, between China and Tibet.
The two main animals you will see are Dragon and Tiger. These represent the two main fighting strategies of the arts. Often a third animal, usually a bird, will represent the third strategy of escape.
Dragon is counteroffensive and clever. This is your first strategy; to neutralize your opponent’s attack and then respond.
Tiger is preemptive and dominating. It starts the fight and keeps the opponent one step behind.
These two animals tend to create each other: Counteroffensive turns into offensive, for example, and when Tiger fails to keep the initiative, she falls back on Dragon.
The Daoist arts usually generate their power from the ground, but there are times when this is not a good option; you have to pick up your feet and move, or you just don’t have a good foundation. This is where the footwork of the bird styles come in.
White Crane’s lower body skills teach how to fight from one leg, a situation which may come up every time you take a step. Its upper body skills are perhaps the most sophisticated in the Daoist martial arts, which is why you will see so many movements in Tàijíquán with White Crane names.
Phoenix teaches fast, moving footwork rather like Bāguàzhăng (Not a coincidence), and fast targeted jabs.
Other animals you may come across are:
White Ape, which teaches stamping power and “loose arm” skills. This animal is the main reason the Daoist martial arts look like they have Xíngyìquán mixed in.
White Snake, which teaches throwing techniques and grinding entries. (Think of White Snake Creeps Down.)
Dragon Horse, which teaches trampling techniques.
Keep all this in mind when you look at a movement named “Dragon Wanders, Tiger Sits,” for example. The movements might not look much like the animals, but the names have meaning.
Animal Styles
Just like Shàolín, the Daoist martial arts have animal styles. They tend to be much less imitative than Shàolín arts, and these days you won’t see many specific animal forms. You will find many movements with animals in them; especially white animals. The white animals seem to originate in the Kunlun? mountains, between China and Tibet.
The two main animals you will see are Dragon and Tiger. These represent the two main fighting strategies of the arts. Often a third animal, usually a bird, will represent the third strategy of escape.
Dragon is counteroffensive and clever. This is your first strategy; to neutralize your opponent’s attack and then respond.
Tiger is preemptive and dominating. It starts the fight and keeps the opponent one step behind.
These two animals tend to create each other: Counteroffensive turns into offensive, for example, and when Tiger fails to keep the initiative, she falls back on Dragon.
The Daoist arts usually generate their power from the ground, but there are times when this is not a good option; you have to pick up your feet and move, or you just don’t have a good foundation. This is where the footwork of the bird styles come in.
White Crane’s lower body skills teach how to fight from one leg, a situation which may come up every time you take a step. Its upper body skills are perhaps the most sophisticated in the Daoist martial arts, which is why you will see so many movements in Tàijíquán with White Crane names.
Phoenix teaches fast, moving footwork rather like Bāguàzhăng (Not a coincidence), and fast targeted jabs.
Other animals you may come across are:
White Ape, which teaches stamping power and “loose arm” skills. This animal is the main reason the Daoist martial arts look like they have Xíngyìquán mixed in.
White Snake, which teaches throwing techniques and grinding entries. (Think of White Snake Creeps Down.)
Dragon Horse, which teaches trampling techniques.
Keep all this in mind when you look at a movement named “Dragon Wanders, Tiger Sits,” for example. The movements might not look much like the animals, but the names have meaning.
Daoist Naming Conventions: Hidden Meaning in Movement Names, Part 1
Daoist Naming Conventions:
Hidden Meaning in Movement Names
by
Jonty Kershaw
www.brokencircle.org
Introduction
There is a lot of lost information in the world of the martial arts. Those of us who study it face the prospect of having to gather as much knowledge as we can from the meager sources available and sift through it, trying to find the secrets that even our own teachers might never have learned. This article is intended to help the searchers in their search.
One area that should be explored is the meanings of movement names. There is a rich hidden language here that can hint at or even fully explain the intention of the movements.
I have divided this article into three sections, based on the sources of the names. They are:
Proverbs and Sayings
Animal Styles
Internal Medicine
These naming conventions are specifically for the “Daoist Martial Arts” family. Other traditions such as Shàolín have their own naming secrets. I hope this article will inspire you to look a little more deeply in all of them.
Section I:
Daoist Proverbs and Sayings
The Chinese are famous for their proverbs and sayings, and the Daoists are no different. Here are some examples of movements named after Daoist sayings.
调花接干
Diào Huā Diē Gān
“Move Aside the Flowers to Reach the Trunk”
The Daoists have a number of expressions that refer to the structure of a tree, especially how much more important the trunk and the roots are than the branches and leaves.
This expression refers to brushing aside unnecessary details in order to focus on the truly important core of the issue. In the martial arts, this usually refers to a move that quickly dispenses with the opponent’s defenses to reach the torso.
(This phrase has often been mistranslated as something like “Transfer Flower, Connect to Wood.”)
揽牛尾
Lăn Niú Wĕi
“Grasp the Ox’s Tail”
In Daoist parable, there are stories describing how an experienced herder can steer a massive ox by simply controlling its tail. This is a beautiful example of Dé in action.
Movements with names like “Grasp the Ox’s Tail” or “Move a Thousand Head of Oxen With Only Four Tails” refer to moving your opponent’s entire body using the small joints. (The four tails would be your opponent’s fingers.)
Yáng Lùchán, the founder of Yáng Tàijíquán named his small-joint manipulations sequence 揽雀尾, “Grasp the Sparrow’s Tail,” probably to express how much more difficult the art of yielding is.
Stop the Cart at the Edge of Cliff
There are a number of proverbs and metaphors in China that describe your life as the path of a cart. Phrases such as “Following the path of the overturned cart” describe repeating someone else’s mistake.
Movements with names like these will usually involve changing direction or intention before failing.
Stir Clouds to Pass Through Fog
“Clouds” and “Fog”, like the flowers of our tree, are distractions or obstacles to be dealt with. (Think “Cloud Hands”)
Hidden Meaning in Movement Names
by
Jonty Kershaw
www.brokencircle.org
Introduction
There is a lot of lost information in the world of the martial arts. Those of us who study it face the prospect of having to gather as much knowledge as we can from the meager sources available and sift through it, trying to find the secrets that even our own teachers might never have learned. This article is intended to help the searchers in their search.
One area that should be explored is the meanings of movement names. There is a rich hidden language here that can hint at or even fully explain the intention of the movements.
I have divided this article into three sections, based on the sources of the names. They are:
Proverbs and Sayings
Animal Styles
Internal Medicine
These naming conventions are specifically for the “Daoist Martial Arts” family. Other traditions such as Shàolín have their own naming secrets. I hope this article will inspire you to look a little more deeply in all of them.
Section I:
Daoist Proverbs and Sayings
The Chinese are famous for their proverbs and sayings, and the Daoists are no different. Here are some examples of movements named after Daoist sayings.
调花接干
Diào Huā Diē Gān
“Move Aside the Flowers to Reach the Trunk”
The Daoists have a number of expressions that refer to the structure of a tree, especially how much more important the trunk and the roots are than the branches and leaves.
This expression refers to brushing aside unnecessary details in order to focus on the truly important core of the issue. In the martial arts, this usually refers to a move that quickly dispenses with the opponent’s defenses to reach the torso.
(This phrase has often been mistranslated as something like “Transfer Flower, Connect to Wood.”)
揽牛尾
Lăn Niú Wĕi
“Grasp the Ox’s Tail”
In Daoist parable, there are stories describing how an experienced herder can steer a massive ox by simply controlling its tail. This is a beautiful example of Dé in action.
Movements with names like “Grasp the Ox’s Tail” or “Move a Thousand Head of Oxen With Only Four Tails” refer to moving your opponent’s entire body using the small joints. (The four tails would be your opponent’s fingers.)
Yáng Lùchán, the founder of Yáng Tàijíquán named his small-joint manipulations sequence 揽雀尾, “Grasp the Sparrow’s Tail,” probably to express how much more difficult the art of yielding is.
Stop the Cart at the Edge of Cliff
There are a number of proverbs and metaphors in China that describe your life as the path of a cart. Phrases such as “Following the path of the overturned cart” describe repeating someone else’s mistake.
Movements with names like these will usually involve changing direction or intention before failing.
Stir Clouds to Pass Through Fog
“Clouds” and “Fog”, like the flowers of our tree, are distractions or obstacles to be dealt with. (Think “Cloud Hands”)
Use of Imagery in the Martial Arts
This is something that modern martial artists struggle with when it comes to the traditional martial arts:
Often the terminology in the traditional martial arts is flowery and quite physically impossible. The reason for this is that when communicating with the body (in other words, the part of the subconscious that deals with the body), telling it exactly what to do produces the wrong result. Here's a classic example:
The second choice is actually quite impossible, but the body responds correctly.
Often the terminology in the traditional martial arts is flowery and quite physically impossible. The reason for this is that when communicating with the body (in other words, the part of the subconscious that deals with the body), telling it exactly what to do produces the wrong result. Here's a classic example:
"Straighten your spine."
The result will be that the student will tighten the muscles of the back, leading to a spine that is inflexible and, yes, bent."Imagine that your body is relaxed, and that it is hanging from a rope attached to the crown of the head."
The result will be that the spine will naturally straighten without losing its natural flexibility. The head will be slightly bent forward, which is necessary for a straight spine.The second choice is actually quite impossible, but the body responds correctly.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Introducing the "?" Project.
I'm excited to announce that Steven Vance and I have joined together to form a sort of martial arts preservation society.
The blog can be found here. It's still in its infancy, but we should have it relatively functional this weekend.
We haven't worked out the exact details of the project yet. We haven't even decided on a name. To start with, we will be publicly sharing and discussing our research into the Chinese martial arts associated with the Kunlun mountains. We also both share an interest in the Indonesian arts, so that is a likely area of research.
This may turn into a larger organization with the focus of preserving, documenting, researching and restoring the traditional martial arts.
Steven and I first made contact shortly after I released my website mentioning the Kunlun Mountain Fist. Steven had an interest in Kunlunquan, a related style, and we shared notes. We also learned that we both shared a love of the Indonesian arts.
We also share a belief that the martial arts have suffered due to issues of personal ego and politics. We have both separated ourselves from certain styles because of this.
Steven is brilliant. I have spent almost a decade looking for teachers of Kunlunquan in the U.S. About 2 weeks after we discussed this, he called me up with the name of a teacher born into the family. His blog can be found here.
The blog can be found here. It's still in its infancy, but we should have it relatively functional this weekend.
We haven't worked out the exact details of the project yet. We haven't even decided on a name. To start with, we will be publicly sharing and discussing our research into the Chinese martial arts associated with the Kunlun mountains. We also both share an interest in the Indonesian arts, so that is a likely area of research.
This may turn into a larger organization with the focus of preserving, documenting, researching and restoring the traditional martial arts.
Steven and I first made contact shortly after I released my website mentioning the Kunlun Mountain Fist. Steven had an interest in Kunlunquan, a related style, and we shared notes. We also learned that we both shared a love of the Indonesian arts.
We also share a belief that the martial arts have suffered due to issues of personal ego and politics. We have both separated ourselves from certain styles because of this.
Steven is brilliant. I have spent almost a decade looking for teachers of Kunlunquan in the U.S. About 2 weeks after we discussed this, he called me up with the name of a teacher born into the family. His blog can be found here.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Breaking the Circle, Part 2: Circling the Break
This is where the 7 Stars 8 Steps system (the foundation of Baguazhang) comes in.
When your opponent has successfuly broken your circle, you may have to walk their circle, essentially circling the break.
(Pictures to come)
When your opponent has successfuly broken your circle, you may have to walk their circle, essentially circling the break.
(Pictures to come)
Breaking the Circle, Part 1
I have been getting a lot of questions about the name of the school and how it applies to the martial arts.
The name has a number of different meanings for me, but in the Daoist Martial Arts, it has a particular meaning. I'll outline it in a general sense here.
Part 1: The Circle
In the Daoist Martial Arts, we view defense as a personal defnsive circle.
When we attack, we are attempting to attack out opponent's centerline (basically the spine), which we call "Duan Huan" or "Breaking the Circle".
Our goal in defense is to redirect their attack around the outside of the circle.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Why Do I Charge?
As a school, we are moving toward an informal non-profit model of business.
I have always preferred to teach by donation. The best times of my life have been spent in a park with a donation box. Somehow, I always got enough money to survive.
When I moved to a certain part of the country, I discovered that this didn't work. I would work all day and get about $10. To some people in this country, if you don't charge, it isn't worth anything. People were happy to pay for my classes, so I had to start charging.
I'm trying to return to my old way of doing things. I sank about $2,000 into equipment and software for the first of the training manuals. When I have recouped that, I will drop the price of the manual to only a little over the printing cost, and hope that people will donate enough to keep me writing and filming.
In the long term, if you all show the interest, I will be creating training material for other teachers. There are a lot of excellent teachers out there who have no idea how to go about creating books and videos, so I think we can help.
I have always preferred to teach by donation. The best times of my life have been spent in a park with a donation box. Somehow, I always got enough money to survive.
When I moved to a certain part of the country, I discovered that this didn't work. I would work all day and get about $10. To some people in this country, if you don't charge, it isn't worth anything. People were happy to pay for my classes, so I had to start charging.
I'm trying to return to my old way of doing things. I sank about $2,000 into equipment and software for the first of the training manuals. When I have recouped that, I will drop the price of the manual to only a little over the printing cost, and hope that people will donate enough to keep me writing and filming.
In the long term, if you all show the interest, I will be creating training material for other teachers. There are a lot of excellent teachers out there who have no idea how to go about creating books and videos, so I think we can help.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
An Update
Some of my regulars have requested updates on several areas of my work. Here you are:
The "Little Nine Heavens","Post-Heaven" and "Kunlun Green Dragon Form" books are all nearing completion. It's really more a matter of spare time, interest of the public, and fighting with technology.
The other books are out there. I have had to narrow my focus a little, since I'm working two full-time jobs right now. Both the Yang spear books and the Yang saber book are in the pipeline.
The applications manuals will take longer, since I have no local students that are trained enough to safely be victims or victors in the photos.
If you are interested in one of the books more than another, please post or email.
Technology is what is slowing me down right now. Getting all of it to work, especially at the same time, is currently a challenge. I don't follow the horoscopes, but I'm sure Mercury is in retrograde or something. My New-Agey friends always tell me Mercury is in retrograde when the technology starts acting up.
I may have to record sound into my cellphone for a while. It won't be beautiful, but you'll be able to hear me.
I'll be doing some video blogging to answer the questions I'm getting more effectively.
Once again, what I work on right now is based upon interest (and sales), so please drop me a line or donate or buy something if you want a particular subject sooner. I'm not in it for the money, but the amount of time I can afford to spend on this is dependent on income. I can comfortably live on about $20,000 per year up here in the low-rent part of the country, so I'm not getting rich off your dollar.
I'm only doing training programs for people who ask me. Mostly, it's a matter of creation, since I don't have the new programs organized yet. As soon as I have the infrastructure in place and move to a better location, I will be developing formal programs. I'm going to try and work for donations first. This has worked well for everyone involved in the past, but there ahve been times and places where I have worked very hard and not made enough to survive. (In some parts of the country, if you don't charge, people think it's not worth anything.)
Like the distance training, I'm waiting until I am relocated to start formally offering seminars.I might be willing to do some now, but my time is short.
The Books:
The "Little Nine Heavens","Post-Heaven" and "Kunlun Green Dragon Form" books are all nearing completion. It's really more a matter of spare time, interest of the public, and fighting with technology.
The other books are out there. I have had to narrow my focus a little, since I'm working two full-time jobs right now. Both the Yang spear books and the Yang saber book are in the pipeline.
The applications manuals will take longer, since I have no local students that are trained enough to safely be victims or victors in the photos.
If you are interested in one of the books more than another, please post or email.
The Videos:
Technology is what is slowing me down right now. Getting all of it to work, especially at the same time, is currently a challenge. I don't follow the horoscopes, but I'm sure Mercury is in retrograde or something. My New-Agey friends always tell me Mercury is in retrograde when the technology starts acting up.
I may have to record sound into my cellphone for a while. It won't be beautiful, but you'll be able to hear me.
I'll be doing some video blogging to answer the questions I'm getting more effectively.
Once again, what I work on right now is based upon interest (and sales), so please drop me a line or donate or buy something if you want a particular subject sooner. I'm not in it for the money, but the amount of time I can afford to spend on this is dependent on income. I can comfortably live on about $20,000 per year up here in the low-rent part of the country, so I'm not getting rich off your dollar.
Long-Distance Training:
I'm only doing training programs for people who ask me. Mostly, it's a matter of creation, since I don't have the new programs organized yet. As soon as I have the infrastructure in place and move to a better location, I will be developing formal programs. I'm going to try and work for donations first. This has worked well for everyone involved in the past, but there ahve been times and places where I have worked very hard and not made enough to survive. (In some parts of the country, if you don't charge, people think it's not worth anything.)
Seminars:
Like the distance training, I'm waiting until I am relocated to start formally offering seminars.I might be willing to do some now, but my time is short.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Why is Single Whip Called Single Whip
One of the funny things about the martial arts I teach is that when teachers don't understand a movement they are likely to make up an overly-complex answer.
Over the years, I have heard all sorts of explanations about why Single Whip is called Single Whip.
A lot of stuff about Qi, and a lot of stuff about the entire body moving as a singe whip.
It's really simple, folks. Single whip is called Single Whip because only one arm is doing the whip.
That's it. The Hook Hand is holding something in place. The other arm is performing a whip, which is a type of scissor throw. In a lot of styles, the arm also performs a compression throw and a sail.
I'll update this with pictures as soon as I have time. The bold terms are things you can look up.
Over the years, I have heard all sorts of explanations about why Single Whip is called Single Whip.
A lot of stuff about Qi, and a lot of stuff about the entire body moving as a singe whip.
It's really simple, folks. Single whip is called Single Whip because only one arm is doing the whip.
That's it. The Hook Hand is holding something in place. The other arm is performing a whip, which is a type of scissor throw. In a lot of styles, the arm also performs a compression throw and a sail.
I'll update this with pictures as soon as I have time. The bold terms are things you can look up.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Irony in the Martial Arts: Defeated by a Mouse
Statistically, martial arts instructor is the third most likely profession, right after ice skater and dancer, to injure themselves off the job. In other words, we spend so much time at work focusing on our movement that we are much more likely to twist our ankles, bang our elbow into something, etc., when we are not working.
Ironically, I have a new martial arts injury, which I got not by practicing martial arts but by writing about it. I seem to have a collection of issues related to overuse of the mouse and the undersize keyboard on my laptop computer.
Full combat martial artists actually seldom injure themselves. In the 20 years I have been studying martial arts from an actual combat perspective, I have only had minor injuries, such as twisted ankles and the occasional slightly broken nose (usually from teaching beginner students.) The only serious martial arts injury I have received in the classroom came from an unfortunate knife-fighting incident that almost cost me my thumb.
In my former career as a bouncer, I successfully took on bikers and gangmembers. Today I was defeated by a mouse.
Ironically, I have a new martial arts injury, which I got not by practicing martial arts but by writing about it. I seem to have a collection of issues related to overuse of the mouse and the undersize keyboard on my laptop computer.
Full combat martial artists actually seldom injure themselves. In the 20 years I have been studying martial arts from an actual combat perspective, I have only had minor injuries, such as twisted ankles and the occasional slightly broken nose (usually from teaching beginner students.) The only serious martial arts injury I have received in the classroom came from an unfortunate knife-fighting incident that almost cost me my thumb.
In my former career as a bouncer, I successfully took on bikers and gangmembers. Today I was defeated by a mouse.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Why is my Taijiquan Form Lopsided?
I get this question a lot, and not just in Taijiquan. "Why is my form lopsided? Some movements are only done on one side."
Answer 1 (Glib):
It isn't lopsided.
Answer 2 (Useful):
A form isn't necessarily a drill. In a drill, you perform your moves on both sides. A form is designed to hold the information necessary to reconstruct a system.
A lot of systems have forms that are also drills, in that each move is performed on both sides, but this is not a necessary feature of a form.
You are supposed to take each movement from the form and practice it independently, generally on both sides.
Answer 3:
The reason lot of movements in, for example, the Yang form are practiced only on one side is that the Yang family system defaults to a left lead. You are constantly trying to return to your fighting stance. Therefore, you are less likely to perform Single Whip on the other side.
This doesn't mean that you shouldn't practice it on both sides.
Answer 1 (Glib):
It isn't lopsided.
Answer 2 (Useful):
A form isn't necessarily a drill. In a drill, you perform your moves on both sides. A form is designed to hold the information necessary to reconstruct a system.
A lot of systems have forms that are also drills, in that each move is performed on both sides, but this is not a necessary feature of a form.
You are supposed to take each movement from the form and practice it independently, generally on both sides.
Answer 3:
The reason lot of movements in, for example, the Yang form are practiced only on one side is that the Yang family system defaults to a left lead. You are constantly trying to return to your fighting stance. Therefore, you are less likely to perform Single Whip on the other side.
This doesn't mean that you shouldn't practice it on both sides.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Push Hands... Isn't.
Most people think that the core of a martial arts system is its forms, but in fact the core of any sophisticated martial art is gong to be its sensitivity drills. This is where all the pieces of technique become fused with your instincts in a useful way.
In the Daoist arts, which tend to specialize in structural manipulation, the drills are usually called Tui Shou, of "Push Hands." In these drills, you are learning to find the weak points in your opponent's structure and defenses, usually their centerline, in order to offbalance or break them. (This is called "Breaking the Circle," and is one of the sources of my school's name.)
In the art of Taijiquan, we aren't actually doing this. At least until we reach the higher levels (much higher than most practitioners ever reach), we are focusing on the other half of the equation: redirecting our opponent's straight line so it doesn't affect our centerline. So we're not really practicing pushing: Our partner is certainly pushing, but that's when it's "our turn" to practice our yielding.
Personally, that is why I don't participate in Push Hands competitions: They focus on the wrong part of the training. I think the established rules inhibit good practitioners from responding with yielding to the aggressive, double-weighted attack style that often wins these tournaments.
In the Daoist arts, which tend to specialize in structural manipulation, the drills are usually called Tui Shou, of "Push Hands." In these drills, you are learning to find the weak points in your opponent's structure and defenses, usually their centerline, in order to offbalance or break them. (This is called "Breaking the Circle," and is one of the sources of my school's name.)
In the art of Taijiquan, we aren't actually doing this. At least until we reach the higher levels (much higher than most practitioners ever reach), we are focusing on the other half of the equation: redirecting our opponent's straight line so it doesn't affect our centerline. So we're not really practicing pushing: Our partner is certainly pushing, but that's when it's "our turn" to practice our yielding.
Personally, that is why I don't participate in Push Hands competitions: They focus on the wrong part of the training. I think the established rules inhibit good practitioners from responding with yielding to the aggressive, double-weighted attack style that often wins these tournaments.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
The Five Hammers of Yang Taijiquan, Part 2: The Straight Hammer
1.
正捶
Zhèng Chuí
Straight Hammer
The Straight Hammer thrusts forward in a straight line.
Examples of movements with Straight Hammer in them:
Step Up, Deflect, Parry, and Punch
Examples of applications:
Face push:Pushing the head backward destabilizes the spine.
Arm drag:Pulling the elbow behind the spine destabilizes the upper body. The punching mechanics help to break the opponent’s structure.
Hip push:Pushing on the hip folds the body.
The next installment will outline the Horizontal Hammer
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
The Five Hammers of Yang Taijiquan, Part 1
The Five Hammers are an important part of Yang Family Taijiquan that are often overlooked. Every time you see a fist in the public form, you are seeing an opportunity for one of these techniques. This is the first in a series of articles outlining the Five Hammers.
The Five Hammers are:
1. 正捶
Zhèng Chuí
Straight Hammer
2. 横捶
Héng Chuí
Horizontal Hammer
3. 栽捶
Zāi Chuí
Plant Hammer (“Plant Punch”)
4. 降捶
Jiàng Chuí
Dropping Hammer
5. 提捶
Tí Chuí
Lifting Hammer
There is a whole form devoted to learning these techniques, called the Wise Hammers form. I'm releasing a book on this form in a few days, available from Lulu.com and my website, and there is also a VCD of the Imperial Yang version of this form. Plum Publications sells it under the title "Wisdom Fist." (I have no financial connection to Plum Publications, but I love what they offer. Google them.)
It’s important to understand that while on the surface these seem to be simple punches done at different angles, they are actually much more than this.
The word “Chuí” is a word commonly translated as “punch.” However, it includes a number of techniques that we wouldn’t consider to be punches, such as hammer fists. It also doesn’t include a number of techniques that we would consider punches, such as jabs. What’s the difference? This word means “to hammer,” or “to pound into.” A “Chuí” technique is one that uses striking mechanics, but hits with enough force to move whatever it hits. Jabs, for example, work by trauma to the nervous system: They aren’t designed to physically move the opponent.
So the purpose of a “Chuí” technique is to use the mechanics of striking to move something. That’s a deeper understanding, but there’s more. While each of these techniques is shown with a fist, they don’t have to be a punch. A lot of them are much more likely to be done with the elbow or the palm in a real fight.
On an even deeper level, they don’t even have to strike anything. This will be explained further on in the series.
The next installment will outline the Straight Hammer.
The Five Hammers are:
1. 正捶
Zhèng Chuí
Straight Hammer
2. 横捶
Héng Chuí
Horizontal Hammer
3. 栽捶
Zāi Chuí
Plant Hammer (“Plant Punch”)
4. 降捶
Jiàng Chuí
Dropping Hammer
5. 提捶
Tí Chuí
Lifting Hammer
There is a whole form devoted to learning these techniques, called the Wise Hammers form. I'm releasing a book on this form in a few days, available from Lulu.com and my website, and there is also a VCD of the Imperial Yang version of this form. Plum Publications sells it under the title "Wisdom Fist." (I have no financial connection to Plum Publications, but I love what they offer. Google them.)
It’s important to understand that while on the surface these seem to be simple punches done at different angles, they are actually much more than this.
The word “Chuí” is a word commonly translated as “punch.” However, it includes a number of techniques that we wouldn’t consider to be punches, such as hammer fists. It also doesn’t include a number of techniques that we would consider punches, such as jabs. What’s the difference? This word means “to hammer,” or “to pound into.” A “Chuí” technique is one that uses striking mechanics, but hits with enough force to move whatever it hits. Jabs, for example, work by trauma to the nervous system: They aren’t designed to physically move the opponent.
So the purpose of a “Chuí” technique is to use the mechanics of striking to move something. That’s a deeper understanding, but there’s more. While each of these techniques is shown with a fist, they don’t have to be a punch. A lot of them are much more likely to be done with the elbow or the palm in a real fight.
On an even deeper level, they don’t even have to strike anything. This will be explained further on in the series.
The next installment will outline the Straight Hammer.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
The Syllabus of the Indoor Yang Style, Part 2
Here is the first part of a more detailed list of the main forms of the Indoor Yang Style.
1. The Large Frame Form, 大架拳 (Dà Jià Quán)
This is the first form you learn. It is composed of much larger movements and is focused on training your body for the art.
2. The Old/Medium Frame Form, 老架拳 (Lăo Jià Quán)
It is said that this was the original form that Yang Luchan practiced. Who knows? This form is the skill training form. It is smaller than the Large Frame and more detailed.
3. The Small Frame Form 小架拳 (Xiăo Jià Quán)
This is the combative frame. It is much smaller than the Medium Frame, and the movements look the way they might in a fight. The Wu style seems to be built from this frame.
4. The "Long" Form, 太极长拳 (Tàijí Cháng Quán)
This is the form that teaches us to break free from the structure of the forms. Each of the movements is designed to dovetail into each of the others. Focus is on using the movements in new and unusual ways: Doing Lu with Cai energy, for example.
5. The Post-Heaven Methods, 后天法 (Hòu Tiān Fă)
This is actually more of a Xingyi (Hsing-I) form. It teaches explosive strikes that can be used after the yielding entry that is the style's specialty. A lot of people get angry when they see Xingyi and Bagua in Yang Style, but Yang Luchan was a comprehensive martial artist and saw the need for a complete style.
6. The Little Nine Heavens Form, 小九天 (Xiăo Jiŭ Tiān)
This is the escape form of the system. It's mostly a Bagua form. It deals with fast footwork and "Seven Stars", or clashing.
7. The Wise Hammers/Wisdom Fist 智捶 (Zhì Chuí)
This form is a more direct, combative, almost "short" form that focuses on the 5 Hammers.
8. The Pressure Point Striking ("Dim Mak") Form
This form is usually taught last of the eight main forms. Not because it is "secret", but because it requires learning all the pressure points and their relief points. The form itself simply teaches quick chops and thrusts that can be inserted within other movements. It doesn't have the same importance that pressure points have been given in some other schools. Dianma (Dim Mak) doesn't mean "Touch of Death." It means pressure point.
1. The Large Frame Form, 大架拳 (Dà Jià Quán)
This is the first form you learn. It is composed of much larger movements and is focused on training your body for the art.
2. The Old/Medium Frame Form, 老架拳 (Lăo Jià Quán)
It is said that this was the original form that Yang Luchan practiced. Who knows? This form is the skill training form. It is smaller than the Large Frame and more detailed.
3. The Small Frame Form 小架拳 (Xiăo Jià Quán)
This is the combative frame. It is much smaller than the Medium Frame, and the movements look the way they might in a fight. The Wu style seems to be built from this frame.
4. The "Long" Form, 太极长拳 (Tàijí Cháng Quán)
This is the form that teaches us to break free from the structure of the forms. Each of the movements is designed to dovetail into each of the others. Focus is on using the movements in new and unusual ways: Doing Lu with Cai energy, for example.
5. The Post-Heaven Methods, 后天法 (Hòu Tiān Fă)
This is actually more of a Xingyi (Hsing-I) form. It teaches explosive strikes that can be used after the yielding entry that is the style's specialty. A lot of people get angry when they see Xingyi and Bagua in Yang Style, but Yang Luchan was a comprehensive martial artist and saw the need for a complete style.
6. The Little Nine Heavens Form, 小九天 (Xiăo Jiŭ Tiān)
This is the escape form of the system. It's mostly a Bagua form. It deals with fast footwork and "Seven Stars", or clashing.
7. The Wise Hammers/Wisdom Fist 智捶 (Zhì Chuí)
This form is a more direct, combative, almost "short" form that focuses on the 5 Hammers.
8. The Pressure Point Striking ("Dim Mak") Form
This form is usually taught last of the eight main forms. Not because it is "secret", but because it requires learning all the pressure points and their relief points. The form itself simply teaches quick chops and thrusts that can be inserted within other movements. It doesn't have the same importance that pressure points have been given in some other schools. Dianma (Dim Mak) doesn't mean "Touch of Death." It means pressure point.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
How to Peel a Banana
I have always peeled bananas the same way you probably do: Grab hold of the stem and yank hard. Sometimes it works. Sometimes the step pops off. Sometimes I have to bite the edge of the stem to get it to peel.
Here's how monkeys peel bananas:
Turn the banana around the other way.
Pinch the tip of the banana. The banana peel will magically split into two.
Easily peel the banana.
It's so simple and easy, and I have never had it fail.
What does this have to do with Daoism?
If you want to learn how to do something, look to the experts. In nature, the experts on banana peeling are the monkeys.
Now here is a picture of a cute monkey.
Here's how monkeys peel bananas:
Turn the banana around the other way.
Pinch the tip of the banana. The banana peel will magically split into two.
Easily peel the banana.
It's so simple and easy, and I have never had it fail.
What does this have to do with Daoism?
If you want to learn how to do something, look to the experts. In nature, the experts on banana peeling are the monkeys.
Now here is a picture of a cute monkey.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Who was Zhang Sanfeng?
Zhang Sanfeng was a semi-mythological Daoist figure who is credited with all sorts of things, from acupuncture to Taijiquan.
The phrase "semi-mythological" refers to the possibility that he may have been based on a real person. Actually, people who have done better research than I have suggest he may be based on two different people. Regardless, he has been credited with a lot of stuff he didn't do.
Did Zhang Sanfeng invent Taijiquan?
No. Zhang Sanfeng is credited with inventing the 13 Postures, of which Taijiquan uses a specific variation. I'll publish a post about the "Old" 13 Postures soon.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Let's Cut the Cr** about Tai Chi
I don't usually do this kind of negative post, but:
Let's face it. There's a lot of gray area in the art of Taijiquan. It covers a lot of ground.
But there are some things that Taijiquan is, and there are some things that Taijiquan isn't.
Taijiquan is a martial art, whether you want it to be or not. You don't have to study it with the express aim of hurting people, but it's in there.
I get a lot of people showing up to my classes in the park angrily proclaiming that Taiji isn't a martial art. It's funny, because the people who developed it all seemed to think it is a martial art. Some of them even wrote whole books of applications.
You could argue whether it is an effective martial art or not. That's at least arguable, and I don't blame you if you think it isn't. But saying Taijiquan isn't a martial art is a bit like saying your parents never had sex because you dislike the idea.
Let's face it. There's a lot of gray area in the art of Taijiquan. It covers a lot of ground.
But there are some things that Taijiquan is, and there are some things that Taijiquan isn't.
Taijiquan is a martial art, whether you want it to be or not. You don't have to study it with the express aim of hurting people, but it's in there.
I get a lot of people showing up to my classes in the park angrily proclaiming that Taiji isn't a martial art. It's funny, because the people who developed it all seemed to think it is a martial art. Some of them even wrote whole books of applications.
You could argue whether it is an effective martial art or not. That's at least arguable, and I don't blame you if you think it isn't. But saying Taijiquan isn't a martial art is a bit like saying your parents never had sex because you dislike the idea.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Imperial Yang Style Taiji History
A quick note about The Imperial Yang Style Taijiquan:
Often when you read about this style, you will be told something like:
"Yang Luchan was pressured into teaching his style to the imperial family, and so he chose to teach them an inferior version of the art."
This is another example of how official histories of martial arts are generally just propaganda. It's cut from the same cloth as the silly story of "how Yang Luchan learned Chen Style through a hole in the fence." (I'll write a series of posts about history and propaganda soon.)
Yang Luchan, by all useful accounts, was thrilled to teach in the imperial household, because it meant good money. He taught them the more comprehensive earlier system with many different forms.
What most people learn now is the "Public" system, which has only one central form. (This isn't necessarily bad: The Public form is a beautiful concentration of the essence of the rest of the system, a sort of "short form" of the whole system.)
Imperial Yang Style Taiji
I've been getting a lot of questions about the Funei ("Imperial") Yang version of Yang style Taijiquan.
This is what I know.
I've reviewed a series of four videos, in Mandarin, on this style.
I'm very excited about Imperial Yang Style, because it has the same forms as the Indoor Yang Style, and so it's the first solid proof that I didn't just make the whole thing up.
According to these videos, which you can buy here (I have no financial connection to this website, but they're great people and one of the best sources for Chinese martial arts information), the Imperial Yang Style has exactly the same set of forms as the Indoor Yang Style that I learned.
The sequence of movements seems to be almost identical in the three forms on these videos.
The presentation is a little different: The frame is a little more conservative, which isn't necessarily bad.
There is also a lot more White Crane in the movements, such as Crane Hook Hands in unusual places. Taiji, like most Daoist styles, has a heavy dose of White Crane as its foundation, so this isn't surprising. (I've mentioned before that White Crane is the "lost mother style.")
The hand movements in general are more expressive, like many Daoist styles. The teacher's hands seem tight rather than loose, which would be bad, but I may simply not understand what I'm seeing. (The most important mantra for a martial arts seeker is "I don't know everything." Repeat 500 times per day for successful results.)
Here's a demo of this version of the Wisdom Fist/Clever Hammers form:
I'm posting video clips of the demonstrations of these forms on youtube here.
This is what I know.
I've reviewed a series of four videos, in Mandarin, on this style.
I'm very excited about Imperial Yang Style, because it has the same forms as the Indoor Yang Style, and so it's the first solid proof that I didn't just make the whole thing up.
According to these videos, which you can buy here (I have no financial connection to this website, but they're great people and one of the best sources for Chinese martial arts information), the Imperial Yang Style has exactly the same set of forms as the Indoor Yang Style that I learned.
The sequence of movements seems to be almost identical in the three forms on these videos.
The presentation is a little different: The frame is a little more conservative, which isn't necessarily bad.
There is also a lot more White Crane in the movements, such as Crane Hook Hands in unusual places. Taiji, like most Daoist styles, has a heavy dose of White Crane as its foundation, so this isn't surprising. (I've mentioned before that White Crane is the "lost mother style.")
The hand movements in general are more expressive, like many Daoist styles. The teacher's hands seem tight rather than loose, which would be bad, but I may simply not understand what I'm seeing. (The most important mantra for a martial arts seeker is "I don't know everything." Repeat 500 times per day for successful results.)
Here's a demo of this version of the Wisdom Fist/Clever Hammers form:
I'm posting video clips of the demonstrations of these forms on youtube here.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
How to be a Hermit... In a City.
A lot of the traditional Daoist texts talk about retreating to mountain caves and so forth, in order to escape from the social constructs that limit your cultivation.
Most of us don't have this option. What do we do?
Actually, if you read the less popular (and, in my opinion, more useful) texts, you will find quotes such as:
"If you retreat to a mountain cave, you will become known as a famous hermit, and soon your cave will be surrounded by prospective students and hangers-on. If you retreat to a large city, however, you will become invisible."
That's it. You can be a hermit anywhere, but it's easier to do so in a big city where no one knows you, than in suburbia.
Most of us don't have this option. What do we do?
Actually, if you read the less popular (and, in my opinion, more useful) texts, you will find quotes such as:
"If you retreat to a mountain cave, you will become known as a famous hermit, and soon your cave will be surrounded by prospective students and hangers-on. If you retreat to a large city, however, you will become invisible."
That's it. You can be a hermit anywhere, but it's easier to do so in a big city where no one knows you, than in suburbia.
Same Form, Different Day
One of the challenges of teaching the Daoist martial arts is that your students necessarily go through a phase of structure rather than expression, and you have to join them there. Let me explain.
In order to learn a form, for example, you must first learn the form exactly. "Put your foot exactly here, and your arm exactly here," and so forth. The problem is, the Daoist martial arts are about personal exploration and expression. At some point, you have to let go of the mechanics and explore the intent. From this point on, your form will never be exactly the same each time you perform it.
As a teacher, I'm constantly forced to do the form mechanically so as not to confuse my students. Occasionally, I will have a student who "gets it" and I can explore the form with them. With my other students, I have to constantly repeat the form exactly, or they will become confused.
One of the best things a teacher can develop is "senior students." They can teach the basics for you, and you can show up later to develop the more interesting stuff.
In order to learn a form, for example, you must first learn the form exactly. "Put your foot exactly here, and your arm exactly here," and so forth. The problem is, the Daoist martial arts are about personal exploration and expression. At some point, you have to let go of the mechanics and explore the intent. From this point on, your form will never be exactly the same each time you perform it.
As a teacher, I'm constantly forced to do the form mechanically so as not to confuse my students. Occasionally, I will have a student who "gets it" and I can explore the form with them. With my other students, I have to constantly repeat the form exactly, or they will become confused.
One of the best things a teacher can develop is "senior students." They can teach the basics for you, and you can show up later to develop the more interesting stuff.
The Four Hooks of Taijiquan
The White Crane Hook Hand is one of the most misunderstood hand gestures in Yang Family Taiji. Perhaps because it only appears in the Public Form in Single Whip. I'm going to skip over its striking applications today and just discuss its hooking applications.
There are a lot of different versions of this posture: Some people hold the arm completely straight, and some bend the elbow. Some hold the Hook Hand way above their head and the Wing Hand low, and some hold them both at shoulder level. In the medium and small forms, it is essential that there be a distinct bend in the armpit and the elbow joints. This is why:
The purpose of this hand in Single Whip is to hook -- not to hit, as some people would like you to think. It is there to hold something in place while you do the rest of the movement. There are four ways it can do this:
1) Grab
Simply, grasping with the fingers.
2) Wrist Hook
Using the wrist to hook over whatever you are controlling, as in Praying Mantis. The reason it looks different from a Mantis hook at all is because it also includes #1.
3) Elbow Hook
Holding it in the crook of your elbow and pressing your forearm and upper arm around it.
4) Armpit Hook
Holding it in your armpit and pressing your forearm down on it.
It's important to note that while the last two might seem inelegant, they are much more likely in a real fight. In a real fight, as soon as the adrenaline starts pumping through your veins, all your fine motor skills depart in favor of more powerful gross motor skills, so you can forget about using your fingers. (Also, you may have blood or sweat on your fingers, or you may actually have had your fingers cut off. It's called a fight for a reason.)
Now you can see why the bends in the armpit and elbow are necessary.
There are a lot of different versions of this posture: Some people hold the arm completely straight, and some bend the elbow. Some hold the Hook Hand way above their head and the Wing Hand low, and some hold them both at shoulder level. In the medium and small forms, it is essential that there be a distinct bend in the armpit and the elbow joints. This is why:
The purpose of this hand in Single Whip is to hook -- not to hit, as some people would like you to think. It is there to hold something in place while you do the rest of the movement. There are four ways it can do this:
1) Grab
Simply, grasping with the fingers.
2) Wrist Hook
Using the wrist to hook over whatever you are controlling, as in Praying Mantis. The reason it looks different from a Mantis hook at all is because it also includes #1.
3) Elbow Hook
Holding it in the crook of your elbow and pressing your forearm and upper arm around it.
4) Armpit Hook
Holding it in your armpit and pressing your forearm down on it.
It's important to note that while the last two might seem inelegant, they are much more likely in a real fight. In a real fight, as soon as the adrenaline starts pumping through your veins, all your fine motor skills depart in favor of more powerful gross motor skills, so you can forget about using your fingers. (Also, you may have blood or sweat on your fingers, or you may actually have had your fingers cut off. It's called a fight for a reason.)
Now you can see why the bends in the armpit and elbow are necessary.
The Syllabus of the Indoor Yang Style, Part 1
I get a lot of requests from seekers about the teaching structure of the Indoor Yang Family Taiji system. Here it is for all you seekers out there.
Note that this is a list of the forms only. Push Hands, which is really the center of the system, is not listed here. It has a separate syllabus.
1. The Large Frame Form, 大架拳 (Dà Jià Quán)
2. The Old/Medium Frame Form, 老架拳 (Lăo Jià Quán)
3. The Small Frame Form 小架拳 (Xiăo Jià Quán)
4. The "Long" Form, 太极长拳 (Tàijí Cháng Quán)
The above are always taught in this order. The next forms are taught in between the above main forms. They don't absolutely have to be taught in a particular order, but they build on skills from the different versions of the main form and so are more appropriate in the following order:
5. The Post-Heaven Methods, 后天法 (Hòu Tiān Fă)
6. The Little Nine Heavens Form, 小九天 (Xiăo Jiŭ Tiān)
7. The Wise Hammers/Wisdom Fist 智捶 (Zhì Chuí)
8. The Pressure Point Striking ("Dim Mak") Form
Other forms that may be taught include;
* The Taiji Ball Movements
* The Straight Sword
* The Sabre
* The Spear
* The Staff
* The Thirteen Cinnabar Gongfa Movements
and a few other, less well known weapons such as the walking stick and knife.
Note that this is a list of the forms only. Push Hands, which is really the center of the system, is not listed here. It has a separate syllabus.
1. The Large Frame Form, 大架拳 (Dà Jià Quán)
2. The Old/Medium Frame Form, 老架拳 (Lăo Jià Quán)
3. The Small Frame Form 小架拳 (Xiăo Jià Quán)
4. The "Long" Form, 太极长拳 (Tàijí Cháng Quán)
The above are always taught in this order. The next forms are taught in between the above main forms. They don't absolutely have to be taught in a particular order, but they build on skills from the different versions of the main form and so are more appropriate in the following order:
5. The Post-Heaven Methods, 后天法 (Hòu Tiān Fă)
6. The Little Nine Heavens Form, 小九天 (Xiăo Jiŭ Tiān)
7. The Wise Hammers/Wisdom Fist 智捶 (Zhì Chuí)
8. The Pressure Point Striking ("Dim Mak") Form
Other forms that may be taught include;
* The Taiji Ball Movements
* The Straight Sword
* The Sabre
* The Spear
* The Staff
* The Thirteen Cinnabar Gongfa Movements
and a few other, less well known weapons such as the walking stick and knife.
Friday, June 26, 2009
The Three Frames of Indoor Yang Family Fist
I've had a lot of requests to explain the reason for the three different frames in the Indoor Yang Family Style. Simply:
The Big Frame teaches basic body mechanics, conditions the body, and trains the instinctive patterns somewhat.
The Old Frame / Medium Frame teaches skill and superior body mechanics in a more combative Santi stance.
The Small Frame is almost entirely done in the manner you would use the applications to fight. You have to look closely to see the body mechanics in play, since they are so small. The Wu style is essentially this form slowed down.
These forms are the backbone of the system, and are supported by the "Long" Frame, the "Wisdom Fist", and the other forms in the system.
The Big Frame teaches basic body mechanics, conditions the body, and trains the instinctive patterns somewhat.
The Old Frame / Medium Frame teaches skill and superior body mechanics in a more combative Santi stance.
The Small Frame is almost entirely done in the manner you would use the applications to fight. You have to look closely to see the body mechanics in play, since they are so small. The Wu style is essentially this form slowed down.
These forms are the backbone of the system, and are supported by the "Long" Frame, the "Wisdom Fist", and the other forms in the system.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
An Example of Verbal Yielding
I get a lot of questions about how on earth you would use your yielding skills in a conversation. Here's an example.
(A quick note: I live in the buckle of the Bible Belt. In this argument I'm taking the stance of tolerance towards homosexual people. It doesn't matter if you agree with me or not. What matters is that this is a good example.)
Someone says to you, "I believe homosexuality is an abomination against God, because it says so in the Bible." (Push)
You differ. how do you handle it?
You could:
1) Get angry and yell, "You're wrong!" or "You're just an ignorant bigot." (Push back)
2) Leave. (Disengage)
3) Say something like "I don't believe that the Bible actually says that." (Parry)
or
4) Say "I agree." (Yield) "That part of the bible also states that a man should have multiple wives. How many wives do you have?" (Roll Back and fajing)
As you can see, in #4 you yield by agreeing, and use your opponent's momentum (his assertion that the Bible is irrefutable) to trap him.
This kind of response is usually easy against narrow-minded people, because they like to speak in sweeping absolutes, and as we know, our universe is not made of absolutes.
Perhaps next time, for the sake of fairness, I will add a counter move for our fundamentalist anti-gay opponent.
(A quick note: I live in the buckle of the Bible Belt. In this argument I'm taking the stance of tolerance towards homosexual people. It doesn't matter if you agree with me or not. What matters is that this is a good example.)
Someone says to you, "I believe homosexuality is an abomination against God, because it says so in the Bible." (Push)
You differ. how do you handle it?
You could:
1) Get angry and yell, "You're wrong!" or "You're just an ignorant bigot." (Push back)
2) Leave. (Disengage)
3) Say something like "I don't believe that the Bible actually says that." (Parry)
or
4) Say "I agree." (Yield) "That part of the bible also states that a man should have multiple wives. How many wives do you have?" (Roll Back and fajing)
As you can see, in #4 you yield by agreeing, and use your opponent's momentum (his assertion that the Bible is irrefutable) to trap him.
This kind of response is usually easy against narrow-minded people, because they like to speak in sweeping absolutes, and as we know, our universe is not made of absolutes.
Perhaps next time, for the sake of fairness, I will add a counter move for our fundamentalist anti-gay opponent.
The Martial Arts Don't Teach You How to Fight?
This is a type of question I get a lot from new students who have a background in fighting;
"What does Taijiquan do against a jab?"
"What does Karate do in ground fighting?"
...and so forth.
The answer to both these questions is "nothing." A Taijiquan practitioner would (or should) know what to do against a jab, but that is fighting, not martial arts.
Before you start writing hate mail, give me a chance to explain.
Jab, cross, enter, grapple, etc. is basic fighting. With a few exceptions, basic fighting looks the same everywhere in the world and has done for a long, long time.
The "Martial Arts" build on basic fighting. They assume you already know how to fight. Either your teacher would teach you basic fighting, or you would arrive at your teacher's door already knowing how to fight.
The martial arts teach you clever tricks to make your basic fighting superior. That's what the word "art" is doing in there.
So, Taijiquan's clever tricks, for example, work against an attack that has a certain amount of body weight committed to it. Jabs don't have body weight behind them, so Taiji wouldn't work against them even if you were fast enough to respond. A good Taiji practitioner would deal with a jab the same way a boxer would, then continue to fight until the opponent throws a committed attack.
Fights don't happen the way applications happen in the classroom. Most martial artists never study real fighting, so they don't know how their art fits into it. This is why you hear so many stories about proficient martial artists who fail in a street fight. Your martial art didn't fail you; your teacher failed you.
"What does Taijiquan do against a jab?"
"What does Karate do in ground fighting?"
...and so forth.
The answer to both these questions is "nothing." A Taijiquan practitioner would (or should) know what to do against a jab, but that is fighting, not martial arts.
Before you start writing hate mail, give me a chance to explain.
Jab, cross, enter, grapple, etc. is basic fighting. With a few exceptions, basic fighting looks the same everywhere in the world and has done for a long, long time.
The "Martial Arts" build on basic fighting. They assume you already know how to fight. Either your teacher would teach you basic fighting, or you would arrive at your teacher's door already knowing how to fight.
The martial arts teach you clever tricks to make your basic fighting superior. That's what the word "art" is doing in there.
So, Taijiquan's clever tricks, for example, work against an attack that has a certain amount of body weight committed to it. Jabs don't have body weight behind them, so Taiji wouldn't work against them even if you were fast enough to respond. A good Taiji practitioner would deal with a jab the same way a boxer would, then continue to fight until the opponent throws a committed attack.
Fights don't happen the way applications happen in the classroom. Most martial artists never study real fighting, so they don't know how their art fits into it. This is why you hear so many stories about proficient martial artists who fail in a street fight. Your martial art didn't fail you; your teacher failed you.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Push Hands: The Brute, Part 2: The Sudden Jerk
One of the most common techniques The Brute will use is a sudden backward jerking pull. The Brute's technique isn't skillful or elegant, but it will often work simply because their practitioner is playing Push Hands, not Jerk Hands.
Here are some traditional responses to this technique that you can practice. I don't think any of these will be appropriate in a push hands tournament, but they are all correct applications.
All of these techniques start with the obvious: Yield. Take a step in the direction your opponent is pulling you. Do this on your own terms, rather than stumbling.
For the sake of description, I'm assuming your opponent has grabbed your right wrist with his right hand and yanked you somewhere to his right. (I'm assuming your opponent is male just for writing convenience, not sexism.)
PICTURES WILL BE ADDED LATER.
Response 1: The Elbow / The Shoulder
If your opponent pulls you toward his body rather than to one side, take a step toward him (yield) and apply your elbow to their centerline. If necessary, you may turn your body and use your shoulder.
Response 2: The V-Arm Lock
As soon as your opponent grabs your wrist, put your left hand on top of his, trapping it. When he pulls, take a step forward and roll your right hand in a clockwise direction and point it downward. (This is in Needle at Sea Bottom.)
Response 3: The Arm Drag
As soon as your opponent grabs your wrist, put your left hand on top of his, trapping it. When he pulls, take a step (or two) past your opponent and drop your weight, essentially punching your right hand towards the floor. (This is in Step Up, Plant Fist.)
WARNING: Make sure your right knee isn't forward. If it is, your opponent's elbow/shoulder/spine may break across your knee. (This is the actual original application.)
Here are some traditional responses to this technique that you can practice. I don't think any of these will be appropriate in a push hands tournament, but they are all correct applications.
All of these techniques start with the obvious: Yield. Take a step in the direction your opponent is pulling you. Do this on your own terms, rather than stumbling.
For the sake of description, I'm assuming your opponent has grabbed your right wrist with his right hand and yanked you somewhere to his right. (I'm assuming your opponent is male just for writing convenience, not sexism.)
PICTURES WILL BE ADDED LATER.
Response 1: The Elbow / The Shoulder
If your opponent pulls you toward his body rather than to one side, take a step toward him (yield) and apply your elbow to their centerline. If necessary, you may turn your body and use your shoulder.
Response 2: The V-Arm Lock
As soon as your opponent grabs your wrist, put your left hand on top of his, trapping it. When he pulls, take a step forward and roll your right hand in a clockwise direction and point it downward. (This is in Needle at Sea Bottom.)
Response 3: The Arm Drag
As soon as your opponent grabs your wrist, put your left hand on top of his, trapping it. When he pulls, take a step (or two) past your opponent and drop your weight, essentially punching your right hand towards the floor. (This is in Step Up, Plant Fist.)
WARNING: Make sure your right knee isn't forward. If it is, your opponent's elbow/shoulder/spine may break across your knee. (This is the actual original application.)
Push Hands: The Brute, Part 1
I mentioned in a previous post that there are certain types of people who come to push hands gatherings and ruin them for everyone. One of those types I call The Brute.
The Brute is the person who comes, sometimes alone but usually with a group, and exercises his ego by shoving people around using Li, or brute force. They usually win because their opponent isn't skilled enough to react to their sudden, jerky movements. A high level Push Hands practitioner would have no problem putting them down as soon as they stiffen up, but we're not masters, are we?
There are several ways you can deal with The Brute:
Bad
1) Get angry and use brute force back.
2) Ask them not to come back to any more gatherings.
3) Refuse to participate with them.
Better
4) Patiently explain to them that you could also use brute force, but that the point of Push Hands in Taijiquan is to learn to use yielding skills, and that they are disrupting the afternoon for everyone.
Here's the best option:
5) Set aside your own ego, and take the opportunity to learn from them.
There's a saying in Taijiquan circles: Leave your ego at the door.
This isn't some altruistic principle. The skills you learn in Taijiquan are negated by your ego, so it is necessary to set it aside just to learn.
In this series, I will explore option 5 and show you the correct techniques to deal with The Brute.
The Brute is the person who comes, sometimes alone but usually with a group, and exercises his ego by shoving people around using Li, or brute force. They usually win because their opponent isn't skilled enough to react to their sudden, jerky movements. A high level Push Hands practitioner would have no problem putting them down as soon as they stiffen up, but we're not masters, are we?
There are several ways you can deal with The Brute:
Bad
1) Get angry and use brute force back.
2) Ask them not to come back to any more gatherings.
3) Refuse to participate with them.
Better
4) Patiently explain to them that you could also use brute force, but that the point of Push Hands in Taijiquan is to learn to use yielding skills, and that they are disrupting the afternoon for everyone.
Here's the best option:
5) Set aside your own ego, and take the opportunity to learn from them.
There's a saying in Taijiquan circles: Leave your ego at the door.
This isn't some altruistic principle. The skills you learn in Taijiquan are negated by your ego, so it is necessary to set it aside just to learn.
In this series, I will explore option 5 and show you the correct techniques to deal with The Brute.
Competitive Push Hands
I’m not a big fan of competitive Push Hands in practice. Here’s why.
Competitive Push Hands rewards those practitioners with bad technique. Someone with stiff technique will use their Li, or brute strength to push or pull their opponent off balance. For a master, it would be easy to knock this person off their feet, but since almost no one these days has a high level of yielding skill, it looks as though the brute is more skillful.
In theory, I like Push Hands competitions because they bring together people from different schools and backgrounds and they let people escape their isolated little bubbles of education. Unfortunately, almost everyone forgets the most important rule of learning Taijiquan: Leave your ego at the door.
Competitive Push Hands rewards those practitioners with bad technique. Someone with stiff technique will use their Li, or brute strength to push or pull their opponent off balance. For a master, it would be easy to knock this person off their feet, but since almost no one these days has a high level of yielding skill, it looks as though the brute is more skillful.
In theory, I like Push Hands competitions because they bring together people from different schools and backgrounds and they let people escape their isolated little bubbles of education. Unfortunately, almost everyone forgets the most important rule of learning Taijiquan: Leave your ego at the door.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
The Old Three Techniques
The second stage of push hands that I was taught is called "The Old Three Techniques."
It consists of:
Lu (Roll Back),
An (Push), and
Zhou (Elbow).
It's a simple game of rock-scissors-paper:
Respond to Push with Roll Back.
Respond to Roll Back with Elbow.
Respond to Elbow with Push.
Following from the Primary Two Techniques (Respond to Push with Roll Back, then apply Push), this provides the next level of complexity in training. You practice each level of complexity until it is subconscious before moving on. This is the point of these exercises; training your instincts.
It consists of:
Lu (Roll Back),
An (Push), and
Zhou (Elbow).
It's a simple game of rock-scissors-paper:
Respond to Push with Roll Back.
Respond to Roll Back with Elbow.
Respond to Elbow with Push.
Following from the Primary Two Techniques (Respond to Push with Roll Back, then apply Push), this provides the next level of complexity in training. You practice each level of complexity until it is subconscious before moving on. This is the point of these exercises; training your instincts.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Crouching Tiger, Coiling Dragon, Layoffs
···In Daoism, there is a type of situation called “Crouching Tiger, Coiling Dragon”.
···These situations are ones in which you have the greatest opportunity and also the greatest risk.
···The meaning of the name is that the tiger may be crouching and ready to spring, or it may be crouching because it has been subdued. Likewise the coiling dragon.
···A lot of people are finding themselves in these situations these days. Losing your job is an excellent example. When you lose your job, you can probably only see the situation as bad. How am I going to pay my rent? But consider the other side of the coin.
···Your job sucked. How do I know this? All jobs suck. As long as you are working for someone else, you are on the losing side of the arrangement. Businesses keep you in these subservient roles by subjecting you to unnecessary rules and hardships. You have to schedule your entire life around your work schedule. And consider that if companies paid their employees what they were worth, they wouldn’t make any profit.
···Here you have an opportunity to:
······Get a less sucky job.
······Go back to school and train to get a better job.
······Wake up and realize that you should be working for yourself.
···Think about that last one. You should view any job you have as an unfortunate and temporary situation you were forced into until you find a way to make money on your own. Jobs don’t offer financial security, and they don’t have to honor your retirement contract.
···So, it’s up to you: Are you a springing tiger or a tame one?
···These situations are ones in which you have the greatest opportunity and also the greatest risk.
···The meaning of the name is that the tiger may be crouching and ready to spring, or it may be crouching because it has been subdued. Likewise the coiling dragon.
···A lot of people are finding themselves in these situations these days. Losing your job is an excellent example. When you lose your job, you can probably only see the situation as bad. How am I going to pay my rent? But consider the other side of the coin.
···Your job sucked. How do I know this? All jobs suck. As long as you are working for someone else, you are on the losing side of the arrangement. Businesses keep you in these subservient roles by subjecting you to unnecessary rules and hardships. You have to schedule your entire life around your work schedule. And consider that if companies paid their employees what they were worth, they wouldn’t make any profit.
···Here you have an opportunity to:
······Get a less sucky job.
······Go back to school and train to get a better job.
······Wake up and realize that you should be working for yourself.
···Think about that last one. You should view any job you have as an unfortunate and temporary situation you were forced into until you find a way to make money on your own. Jobs don’t offer financial security, and they don’t have to honor your retirement contract.
···So, it’s up to you: Are you a springing tiger or a tame one?
Swine Flu and Responsibility
···Just a quick thought.
···I know everyone is tired of reading about the “swine flu”, but it does give us an opportunity to think about responsibility in Daoism.
···Unless you have an immune disorder, your health is your responsibility. Healthy people don’t get sick.
···If you get sick, it means you haven’t been taking care of your health. I know society teaches us to believe that sickness comes from outside sources, but that’s not really true. If your national security isn’t in place, you are inviting invasions, and the same is true of your immune system.
···Go to your nearest independent health food store, and at least stock up on vitamin C. It’s cheap, it’s safer than water (no one has ever drowned in it), and if you take a lot of it your immune system will be much stronger. It’s more effective than anything the Western medical system has ever come up with.
···I know everyone is tired of reading about the “swine flu”, but it does give us an opportunity to think about responsibility in Daoism.
···Unless you have an immune disorder, your health is your responsibility. Healthy people don’t get sick.
···If you get sick, it means you haven’t been taking care of your health. I know society teaches us to believe that sickness comes from outside sources, but that’s not really true. If your national security isn’t in place, you are inviting invasions, and the same is true of your immune system.
···Go to your nearest independent health food store, and at least stock up on vitamin C. It’s cheap, it’s safer than water (no one has ever drowned in it), and if you take a lot of it your immune system will be much stronger. It’s more effective than anything the Western medical system has ever come up with.
I Love Video Games...
I love video games. The chance to create an entirely new identity, learn new skills, and enter an exciting new world is a thrill.
The problem is, you spend hours, days, weeks, years playing these games, and that time is gone. Forever. Imagine if you spent that time upgrading your real-world skills.
Your 5th level thief is improving her lockpicking skills? I know how to actually pick locks.
Your 7th level fighting priest is perfecting his kung fu? I am an actual fighting priest.
Join me in the most up-to-date online multiplayer role-playing game: Real Life. The learning curve is a little steep, but the graphics are awesome.
The problem is, you spend hours, days, weeks, years playing these games, and that time is gone. Forever. Imagine if you spent that time upgrading your real-world skills.
Your 5th level thief is improving her lockpicking skills? I know how to actually pick locks.
Your 7th level fighting priest is perfecting his kung fu? I am an actual fighting priest.
Join me in the most up-to-date online multiplayer role-playing game: Real Life. The learning curve is a little steep, but the graphics are awesome.
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