In taiji we are always anticipating strikes. We curve to avoid strikes, but too much curve means a loss of power.
The problem with taiji is we have too much theory and not enough physical practice. The problem with other martial arts is too much physical practice and not enough theory. Great martial artists are great thinkers.
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For as long as I can remember my mother has been telling me that I have two crooked little fingers just like she has. It is nothing serious, if you look carefully, you may notice a little hump. As a young girl my mother had tried to make her little fingers straight by squashing them between the lid of her school desk. Somewhere along the line she must have come to peace with her crooked little fingers because she seems kind of proud that I inherited this quality from her.
Tile hand: my crooked little finger
Last week, I joined the 3rd European Meetup in Toulouse to experience Chen style Taijiquan Practical Method for the first time in my life. The experience was mindblowing.
I initially discovered Practical Method a month ago via Youtube videos and I was impressed by the “scientificness” of the explanations regarding how to train our bodies to achieve Taiji movements. I have been practicing Chen style Taiji for roughly two years, but I never had the opportunity to get some in-depth understanding of the mechanics at stake in terms of physics (lines, rotations, revolution, levers etc.). So, after a little week of learning the choregraphy (13 moves) et trying to do the circles, I was on my way to Toulouse for my first immersion in Practical Method Taiji.
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Presenter: Chen Zhonghua Length: 10 min. In: English Year: 2019 Difficulty:1/5
Presenter: Chen Zhonghua Length: 10 min. In: English Year: 2019 Difficulty:1/5
Presenter: Chen Zhonghua Length: 10 min. In: English Year: 2019 Difficulty:1/5
During a meal at the latest Iowa training camp, I was speaking to Mater Chen about an event that happened a couple years ago at a workshop in Phoenix. That chat prompted me to retell the anecdote now.
Master Chen was demonstrating a Chen Style Taijiquan Practical Method counter-attack from a right strike/right foot forward. I asked him how he would counter a right cross strike (with the left foot forward). As I would find out later, he wasn’t familiar with the term “right cross” so he simply asked me to execute one at him.
With my left fist protecting my chin, I began to throw the right. Before I was able to issue the punch, Master Chen was inches away from me, the fingers of his left hand grabbing my throat and his right hand had my left in a joint lock. I was tapping-out, as the pain from the joint lock was debilitating.
I did not telegraph the strike, did not blink and did it at full speed. I could not understand how a moment of time was seemingly lost – between me initiating and him arriving. It wasn’t just speed: I’ve sparred with professional fighters and know even very fast movements can be tracked with the eye.
Having thought about this event many times since, a video with Master Chen discussing “indirect movements” caught my attention. He said Practical Method indirect movements cannot be easily detected by an opponent. It’s all in the training: do not move.
Presenter: Chen Zhonghua Length: 10 min. In: English Year: 2019 Difficulty:1/5
Presenter: Chen Zhonghua Length: 10 min. In: English Year: 2018 Difficulty:1/5
Presenter: Chen Zhonghua Length: 10 min. In: English Year: 2018 Difficulty:1/5
Presenter: Chen Zhonghua Length: 10 min. In: English Year: 2018 Difficulty:1/5
Presenter: Chen Zhonghua Length: 10 min. In: English Year: 2019 Difficulty:1/5
Presenter: Chen Zhonghua Length: 10 min. In: English Year: 2019 Difficulty:1/5
Presenter: Chen Zhonghua Length: 10 min. In: English Year: 2019 Difficulty:1/5
Last week we concluded another great workshop/training camp in Iowa with Master Chen. There was a good turnout with around 50 attendees. The vibes were good and the lessons were clear and concise.
Presenter: Chen Zhonghua Length: 10 min. In: English Year: 2019 Difficulty:1/5
Probably the biggest thing had to do with the learning process: The questions that arise in my mind are usually off topic and I think their purpose is to distract me from paying full attention to what Master Chen is teaching at the moment. By asking them out loud I’m distracting everyone else too. My mind doesn’t want to give up control.
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Comments on 2019 North American Practical Method training camp
From my perspective, this year’s training camp was outstanding! I came with the thought that I had progressed a lot but after a short time I realized (as usual) I have so much to learn. I am basically a very beginner but I can see that each time I attend a function with Master Chen I can get a little better grasp of what he is teaching.
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Presenter: Chen Zhonghua Length: 10 min. In: English Year: 2019 Difficulty:1/5
I am an interpreter from Inner Mongolia, I continued to learn practical method for third time during the month of July .I felt honored to learn with Shabar from New York and Mike from France.
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Notes from Day 1, Phoenix Practical Method Workshop
These are pretty rough, just short statements.
Every movement needs to have intent and some reference. When we do taiji we need intent. Taiji is governed by yin yang.
We need to see what is really there. Usually we think we see but that is not what is really there.
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Presenter: Chen Zhonghua Length: 10 min. In: English Year: 2019 Difficulty:1/5
Day 1
I moved out of Vienna and I‘ve been thinking how I could offer Practical Method classes here in Lower Austria. In Vienna I started a group from scratch, together with Fabian. But with three kids now and a full time job I simply have no resources to start a group this way. “There must be a better method” I thought. And, as is often the case at the country side, my neighbor helped me out.
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It’s the third year since we started the European Chen Style Taijiquan Practical Method Meet-Up Series. It continues this year in Toulouse, France in August 24/25th at the Main Garden Square or at the 3 rue du Gorp 31 400, depending on weather.
During a workshop earlier this year, Master Chen recommended that we utilize the “Yilu Record” tab to track our practice. As a result of starting this, I have found that it motivates me to basically do more, and to practice more consistently. Recording progress provides definitive feedback on effort and accomplishment. I have found it to be a very positive tool and extremely easy to use.
