Martial Application
The Waist is the Commander – Waving the arms like silk scarves It is a defect to move the arms mechanically using the musculature to make a ward off shape. It is more effective to let the arms wave like silk scarfs as a result of turning the waist. The […]
The Waist is the Commander – Waving the arms like ...
1 I have trained under various lineages that have entirely different perspectives on the art of Tai Chi Chuan. Whether talking about how forces are neutralized or how people interact in various exercises, the differences are mind numbing . Generally speaking, I have observed practitioners allegiance to one lineage create an […]
Mining for gold – perspective from an open mind/heart
Opening the spine or suspending from the Crown point is always the first aspect discussed when it comes to the internal martial arts. It is also one of the least understood, and the most difficult to acquire when left to one’s own devices. I have spent decades training, and it […]
from natural to natural” opening the spine with one trigger
The line from the Taijiquan Lun by Wang Zhongyue ” if you miss buy a hairsbreadth , you missed by 1000 miles” can only be understood when one starts to understand what is meant by being in Center. When the body is in Center, then the tissue is neutral and […]
“If you miss by a hairsbreadth , you miss by ...
1 BP Chan would often try to simplify things into quotes like the one above. I use a mic stand with the Coca-Cola bottle on it as a practice partner sometimes. The point of this example is to show that by turning my waist to the right and then to the […]
“It’s easy, turn to the left , turn to the ...
When training XingYiQuan it is necessary to understand Five Element Theory in the style that I practice. Spring time is the best season to train the wood element which would be the liver and gallbladder. These are best practiced facing east because the external of the liver on the body […]
Embracing the ribs and the liver… A further explanation
One of the more obvious reasons that one would embrace the ribs is to protect them from strikes. When the ribs are not embraced or the elbows are flared out or the fists put in unusual positions this has the effect of changing the angle of the elbow relative to […]
Embracing the ribs in Xingyiquan
Once upon a time I was quite fearful of this type of attack with a bladed weapon as I had my throat slit as a teen. I did not understand how to defend against a horizontal attack to my throat. Retreating from such an attack will most likely have the […]
Using the rising and falling actions of Chopping to enter ...
1 Most traditional Tai Chi Chuan forms start with ” grasp the birds tail “. There is often a transition where it appears as if we are holding a ball. The form can be trained energetically where we are sensing the energy between our palms and even forming an energy ball. […]
An application of “Holding the Ball” in Taijiquan
Traditional Push Hands Methods are intended to develop certain skills. The following footage shows me giving a couple of examples to Aaron. Sometimes a disadvantage can be turned into an advantage. The first example shows me capturing Aaron’s palm as he endeavors to put force on my elbow. This can […]
” Who has who here?” – BP Chan- small changes ...
Historical records have shown that the arts of Xingyiquan and Taijiquan were inspired by spear methods. The concept is to insert your spear tip into an opening and take the line with your superior alignments. This action is both attacking while diverting and often turning the opponent. Most infantry men […]