Comments on: You do Yang better than Chen

By: wujimon

wujimon — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 12:13:09 +0000

Hey pepe.
Thanks for the comment and providing some insight into your own training path. Interesting thought of bringing in 2 different chen methods into your yang training. In my case, I’ve tried hard to keep them separate.

By: Pepe

Pepe — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 04:13:34 +0000

My story is just the opposite to Wuji, 100% martial application and 0% of qi in the Yang style… My instructor teaches each application of the long form (usually a 2-3 move like a partner form) but nothing about qigong other than standing posts and basic ba duan jing, so I had to do my own research on that subject. As the meridian approach didn’t work for me before I chose a global approach, and had amazing results with Feng Zhiqiang qigong. It really boosted my Yang practice! Now that I can feel the Yi/Qi relation on the form I realized I had to do basic leg-waist work, never done before (my mistake), using the Chen Xiaowang method. I’m happy with that combo: Chen body-work, Hunyuan qigong and Yang martial applications.

My route was: martial -> qigong -> body work… not a clever one, though never is too late…

By: wujimon

wujimon — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 02:09:10 +0000

@RM:
Great quote and definitely something to think about! Thanks.

@SR:
Neijia’s post basically outlines how much time is spent on the ji methods and not progressing to the qi and shen levels in chen taiji. Anyhoo.. I thought shen fa refers to body method?

However, I definitely agree I could use a lot more practice in both chen and yang styles!

By: silkreeling

silkreeling — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 09:45:27 +0000

Haven’t read neijia’s post on shen training in chen.

Shen is initially trained in chen style taiji by mastering the body methods. If you don’t have good grasps of the shen qi (in chen lingo), then it is no wonder why you can’t master the body methods in chen taiji, and vice versa.

In chen style, mastery of body methods can be used as an indication of how well you’re in tune with your shen, yi etc.

Of course there are other methods of training but do you separate the mind and the body according to TCM theory?

It only means you require more practice in chen style if you huff and puff or use a lot of effort that is not smooth or connected.

Good luck with your yang practice.

By: Rick Matz

Rick Matz — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 02:38:13 +0000

Philosophy practiced is the goal of learning. – Thoreau

By: wujimon

wujimon — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 15:16:46 +0000

@Chessman:
I do consider myself lucky in that sometimes my wife will even watch taiji with me! Not many people can sit through watching taiji hearing me say, “see.. see! see how he shifts from the kua there! ).

But you’re absolutely right. At times I fall victim to the “Hamlet Curse” of thinking too much and as a result, doing nothing! I need to do more and think less

@PD:
Thanks for the comment Do consider yourself lucky if your instructor will show you an example application for the movements.

For me, one of the hard things about taiji is trying to focus on certain aspects instead of everything at once. If I try to think about jing, qi, alignment, dantien rotations, etc etc while doing the form, I’d go nuts! Actually, I do go nuts at time so instead I try to focus on certain aspects in each session.

Perhaps soon, my mind will be able to grasp it all at once, but I think that will take time..

By: puredoxyk

puredoxyk — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 15:01:57 +0000

Nice post (not that that’s unusual).

It seems that I got lucky; my sifu is also very involved in teaching kung fu (shorin ryu and something else I can’t spell yet), and we hear all the martial applications of our taiji moves. (We can even get him to demonstrate if we pester enough.) We’re always thoroughly cautioned to focus more on qi than jing, and the training there is good too, but it is very helpful (I find) to know what the general purpose of the movement is, so that you don’t distort it beyond usefulness while trying to make your movements graceful and efficient.