#learntaichi

Insight 2.7 – See Outside the Box

1. INTRODUCTION You can learn a lot as well as generate insights that can improve your skill by learning to see outside the box. However, you may fail to take advantage of this learning tool if your mind is not allowed to open up to things that are new or unfamiliar to you. I love the comfort of things familiar and old. Who doesn’t? Many people do not like new things because the unfamiliar can…

Insight 3.8 – Everything, All At Once

1. INTRODUCTION Stand (like) Stake or ZhanZhuang (站桩) as it is popularly known is an exercise in which you stand still. In the few Tai Chi styles that I have learned only one particular style had ZhanZhuang. This was the lineage of Yang Sau Chung —> Chu Kin Hung —> Richard Wong. None of the other Tai Chi styles (Cheng Manching style, Dong family, Nip Chee Fei, GM Wei Shuren) that I learned…

Insight 6.6 – The Five Bows

To possess strong, powerful, penetrating force you must seek to develop the attribute of outside flexible, inside inflexible which traditionally is referred to as hard-soft (剛柔). This is consistent with how a bow stores and releases energy to power the flight of an arrow through the air, yet possessing penetrating power on impact with the target. As a 21st generation Japanese longbow maker,…

Insight 2.4 – None to Some to Many

Insight 2.3 – Practice Anytime, Everywhere

1. INTRODUCTION Time is a scarce commodity. There never seems to be enough of it in a day. Wake up, go to work, come home and at the end of the day just a few hours left in the day to do other things unless I go to bed way after the witching hour. I miss those days where I have the time to go to class from 6.30 to 7.30 am, then have breakfast with the class gang and Master Leong until after 8…

Insight 2.1 – Fixed vs Flexible

1. INTRODUCTION A form teaches a fixed sequence of techniques. A common misconception is that a form breeds inflexibility in movement. This is true if you do not practice a form to the point where you break out of the fixed arrangement. What does this mean? 2. LEARNING PROCESS When you learn a form the first thing you do is struggle to remember the sequences

Insight 6.1 – Physics

Force generation is a function of the use of biomechanics consistent with the laws of physics. The core basis for force generation is the conversion of potential to kinetic energy and vice versa. How to convert potential energy to kinetic energy in a recurring manner, a constant process of store and release is a topic that is studied physically when you practice the 22-form. Various mechanisms…

Insight 4.2 – Basics

The fundamentals for practicing GM Wei’s Tai Chi reside in the inseparable internal-external mind-body attributes as listed below :- a) Neckb) Eyesc) Armpitsd) Elbowse) Wristsf) Force Origing) 3-Chi Ringsh) Bell Bodyi) Vertical Axis (2-4 Points)j) Bell Clapper Linek) 3-Passesl) Fist, Palm, Hook We learn how to do the 22-form with the 12 attributes from the first day. The learning of the 12…