Knowledge : Workshop and Class Notes

To start with the context: I’m in my 10th month of training and recently learned the choreography of yilu. In other words, 100% of what I do in taiji is wrong so the insights that I got will not be news to anyone reading this.

I had been to Master Chen’s Toronto workshop earlier this year and wanted to go to the Iowa camp because prior practice in a different martial art taught me two things. First, it’s essential to experience the art at the highest level of skill, as often as possible. It gives life to the words of the art principles and “it has to be felt”. Master Chen embodies those principles and I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to feel them.

The second reason was immersion. Living a few days with only taiji in mind and both formal and informal practice allows the mind to pick up knowledge that may not register yet at a conscious level.

Having attended, now I can say there should be a third reason: community. More about this later.

The first surprise was on arrival at the airport, when John Upshaw was waiting to give us a lift. I did not know nor expect this. Throughout the day, John made many back-and-forth trips to the airport to bring attendees as their flights came and this extended past midnight. Hats off, sir.

Days typically started at 6:30am (blessed be the early risers who made coffee) with disciple-led foundations and yilu outside (we were lucky with the weather). Apart from specific corrections, the main lesson was that the practicing the foundations is not a phase to graduate from, but rather a part of the practice for as long as we do taiji.

One takeaway from a morning session was about non-moving. As a beginner I have two main permanent questions. One: how should I move (and what not to move)? Two: how do I train to achieve that? This is hard, particular training for not moving. Master Chen explained during a morning how to do the latter, in particular for the second submove (the turn to the right) of the first move in the yilu. The left hand’s middle finger should stay fixed in space during the rotation, something that’s difficult when there is nothing holding it, particularly with resistance. Master Chen’s indication was to actually fix the finger against an object (we used the wooden poles lining the alley) and do the movement with the finger resting against it, then do it without contact, trying to replicate the body feeling. With and without contact, for a few months. I added this to the practice routine and realize (or so I think) it’s the same principle of training as fixing the knee against a wall with a yoga block. I had seen the articles but didn’t think of the alternation between supported and unsupported movements.

Before and after lunch we had the sessions taught by Master Chen, with the usual mix of teaching, practicing in pairs, experiencing Master Chen’s techniques performed on us or feeling his body movements and, last but not least, the stories, shared by Master Chen or by disciples. I’d like to make a special note about Levi: I hope someone collects his deadpan humour remarks. His comments and manner of delivery cracked me up many times.

• a rotation is not a true rotation if the rear part of the body does not move symmetrically to the front one, relative to the pivot point. I tend to forget about the rear part because my mind is too focused on the front and the pivot point. A different way the same idea was expressed: if the opponent pushes and we follow in the move with one part of our body, it’s useless unless we push forward correspondingly with the other half.
• in push hands, be flexible without pushing and wait for the moment when the opponent’s vertical axis tilts then we push him in the same direction, to further unbalance him (it takes about 3 years to develop the sensitivity). Thus, it’s important to keep our torso vertical.
• with a staff, the back hand only fakes the push. The real push comes from the front hand. No telegraphing.
• a rotation is like a conveyor belt: “as it comes in, so it goes out” (by Chen Fake if I recall correctly although I didn’t get the exact words). One more way to express the first idea above.
• a shuffle forward is done with a pull from the front leg through the arch of legs. Do not push with the rear leg, which is a mistake I make often.
• practice yilu with power like a pressurized release
• “taiji problem: we don’t have balance, power and motion all at the same time”

Master Chen also taught the proper position and stretch of the neck. I didn’t realize that a “suspended head” involved that much of a stretch, so much that the platysma muscle is very visibly stretched (I learned about this muscle at this workshop).

Kelvin explained that caving in the chest is independent of rounding the back. I was doing only the latter thinking it did the former as well. Need to practice this, I’m not doing it right.

A quick note about the meal: they are healthily cooked and have a good mix of carbs/fats/protein. The proportion of each varies throughout the day, but they balance out. The cooks can accommodate dietary restrictions, sometimes on the spot, but it’s best to communicate them ahead at registration time.

After the evening meal there the mats came out for push hand practice. As a newbie with no experience but with some injuries, I only did a bit this time but still learned a lot. Special thanks to Aaron for patiently explaining me some basics, to Brennan who indulged my attempts to move him and to Levi for showing me what a yank is (oh boy). I was glad the old breakfall reflex was still functioning. I also got to practice and received tips from Bill, Paddy and Lou, as well as the numerous other members (apologies if I missed anyone, I should write better notes). Also thanks to Kelvin (from whom I also take in-person classes in Toronto) for his corrections.

Rounding up the day were the late night chats and ever the introvert, I felt welcome and sensed the community spirit. This is what I found truly remarkable: that in a group of about 40 people, everyone was kind, generous and willing to help. Statistically, this is not the norm and I can say for sure there was something special about the group.

On the final day we had the disciple ceremony for Travis, the first I have attended. Congratulations, Travis.

One final takeaway: I need to improve my handwriting, not exercised much for many years, if I hope to understand my notes in the future. I need to transcribe them soon, while the memory is fresh.

I’ll end this post by thanking Master Chen for all the teaching and the tireless energy he puts into the workshop, again to John and Levi for organizing it and to every single participant that helped me in my training. I hope to meet many of you in the future and cannot wait for the next seminar.

Razvan