This is the section 3 of the Yilu corrections for Anton Phipps by Master Chen Zhonghua.
Presenter: Chen Zhonghua Length: 38 min. In: English Year: 2020 Difficulty:3/5 At:Edmonton Chen Zhonghua Taiji Academy 埃德蒙顿陈中华太极馆
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The Three Solids
In this video, Master Chen reviewed section three.
Right from single whip, I was having trouble maintaining the “Three Solids.” In this case Master Chen explained I must have a solid at my hand, and my shoulder and at my elbow (tension at all three) can my arm become one piece. This concept was demonstrated using the hip by Master Chen. He said:
“Solid is to look for something, it finds something. […] When I push, it doesn’t matter how strong your arm is with the muscle. If there is nothing to support it, it is not solid.”
Master Chen had me stand in half-horse posture while pushing on my arm. Once he had me position my elbow in the correct location, I could feel the connection to the floor. He went on to say:
“When it is solid by itself you don’t have to use power.”
Master Chen used the analogy of a stack of bricks 5 high.
“It is the four bricks underneath that make it solid. The brick can not hold itself in the air, there has to be something underneath it to support it. It’s not power, there is something underneath.”
Master Chen then coached me through using this concept against a simple push, having me position my body in a manner which supported the arm. Master Chen said:
“In the future you can rotate so much, you can be any angle and [connect to] the floor by adjusting the angle.”
After this we continued on to the rest of section three with more details on Yin Yang separation, keeping the line, and bite to name a few.
one of the recent online classes…I think it was either Monday 26th or Tuesday 27th October, Master Chen commented on how much more students were learning by attending regular online classess than by attending workshops once a year. I was so happy to hear him say this, because by the second or third class, I had realised that this for myself. It had become clear to me that this way of learning should continue even when all covid restrictions have been lifted.
It was becoming obvious to me how much students were benifiting from regular and detailed instructions. In one class, Master Chen commented to Michael Winkler that, although his form is very good, he has not made any real progress since his time on The Mountain…that he was merley refining the moves somewhat. I’m sure this is true for many students.
I have to admit that I was initially skeptical that even Master Chen, with his unique ability to zero in on the learning requirements for individual students, could connect with students in the same way he does in workshops, but my online class experience has proved my skepticism to be unfounded. Besides the individual corrections I’ve received, I’ve learned so much from watching fellow students receiving their corrections
I’ve never been so happy to be in so much pain, because as Master Chen has often said, pain is the price of progress. I strongly encourage students to try out this unique learning opportunity, by signing up sign up for upcoming classes.
Review; D. Gauld
– GM worked with Anton to show him how to connect upper body with the kua, opposite is known as floating
– GM reviewed how this connection is relatively simple to create but infinitely difficult to create at will; simple but not accessible to humans
– when body is solid its due to the overall structure
– when performing PM movements must imagine and create body that goes literally underneath the move
– must learn to squeeze parts of PM structure to create expansion (Peng)
– on ‘high pad (pat?) on horse’ must tear at the split between the two halves of body core rod, learn to ‘touch ear then stroke beard’
– learn how to put them together to create 2-dimensional movement
– must create 3 edges to break up an opponent’s bear hug, at least on arms and back
– punch must be followed by the body