Category Archives: Taiji

Workshop – Chen Xiao Xing – Chicago 2011

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FYI

What:  Chen Xiaoxing workshop
Where:  University of Chicago (rooms tbd)
When:  April 8-10th, 2011
Curriculum:
april 8th (6pm-9pm) – Silk-reeling exercise instruction/correction
april 9-10th (9am-5pm) – Xin Jia Yi Lu instruction

Everyone is welcome to come and learn the Chen Taiji Xin Jia Yi Lu.  The Xin jia Yi Lu (New Frame, First Form) is a very rich form that will add a great deal to your understanding of Lao Jia Yi Lu and knowledge of Taijiquan in general.

Below is a clip of Chen Xiao Xing demonstrating the Xin Jia Yi Lu:

URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJQLQ4ITRA8

For registration and other information, see: Chenjiagou Taijiquan USA, Chicago.

More on Sore Knees

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In a comment to Chen Practical Method on Sore Knees, Rick of Wujifa outlines three basic components that can cause knee pains:

  1. Knees bowed out which the I.T. Band on the outside of the can be contracted and shortened which will contribute to mis-alignment
  2. Tight muscles on the inside of the leg contribute to bowing the legs in
  3. Twists and counter twists of the up and lower leg bones and these can be cause by tight muscles in the back down to the ankle

Rick notes that #3 above is the most common. I’ve noticed many instances in which there may be counter twists in my upper and lower leg bones, not just in taiji/standing practice but in everyday motion. Example, while sitting at my desk, I have a tendency to stretch out my legs and cross my feet at the ankles. I notice this adds a little strain to my left knee and creates a twist/counter-twist in my right leg. Solution: Uncross legs and place feet flat on the ground. The "tipping point": Notice when this type of thing happens.

Additionally, some light stretching can play a major role in loosening the tension. Check out Knee Mystery Solved | Get Fit Slowly for some stretching exercises.

Do X or Y?

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Question: Is it better to do X or do Y?
Answer: Well, that depends on your goal. What is your goal?

This is something I come back to time and time again. I think I’ve answered the question, I feel I’ve answered the question, yet I know I haven’t really answered the question.

Previously on the blog, I attempted to answer the question about my goals in training. Here’s a snippet:

… What are my high level goals in practicing taiji? First and foremost, it’s to nurture my body after many years of wushu wear and tear. In addition, I enjoy the meditative aspects of the art. I don’t train in taiji to be a bada$$ martial artists, I don’t train to fight, I train to learn about myself and who I am. I train in taiji because it makes me a better person.

So, is it better to do X or do Y? ;)

Wujifa and Relaxing the Shoulders

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Video: Wujifa and Relaxing the Shoulders =>

This video is aimed to help with understanding how a relaxed shoulder feels and can move.

This reminds me of the time when I visited Rick of Wujifa a year ago. He had me get in a zhan zhuang “holding the ball” posture.  Rick then put his hand under my elbow and told me to let the elbow relax. He then removed his hand, but my elbow stayed fixed in the current position. Once again, he put his hand under my elbow and told me to let the elbow relax.  This time, when he removed his hand, my elbow dropped down.
As Rick let me hold this position for a while, I soon began to feel no strain in my arms and shoulders. It felt as if my arm was floating in the air, effortlessly. I looked at Rick in awe and he just smiled.