Folklore is riddled with dragons, phoenix and unicorns.
We are not interested in such creatures. To the best of our knowledge they are make-believe.
How do you emulate a dragon? Have you ever seen one?
Monday
Chinese martial arts have long been inspired by natural forms of movement and behaviours.
The form posture names reflect this quite clearly: stork spreads wings, snake creeps down, repulse monkey, part wild horses mane...
It is common for people to literally copy the mannerisms and actions of an animal.
Monkey is a common example of this, as is preying mantis.
Sifu Waller does not wish to behave like an animal. We are humans, after all.
The aim is to simply emulate the spirit of the animal.
We are interested in capturing the essence/nature/characteristics/quality of the animal.
The form posture names reflect this quite clearly: stork spreads wings, snake creeps down, repulse monkey, part wild horses mane...
It is common for people to literally copy the mannerisms and actions of an animal.
Monkey is a common example of this, as is preying mantis.
Sifu Waller does not wish to behave like an animal. We are humans, after all.
The aim is to simply emulate the spirit of the animal.
We are interested in capturing the essence/nature/characteristics/quality of the animal.
The key to '4 ounces of pressure' is stopping as soon as you experience resistance.
If your body is loose and floppy, you will not want to push or use your arms for strength.
Sifu Waller places great emphasis upon not pushing against force.
We regard strength versus strength to be a major folly.
Once you can feel the difference between using your weight and using force, it is easy to realise why.
If your body is loose and floppy, you will not want to push or use your arms for strength.
Sifu Waller places great emphasis upon not pushing against force.
We regard strength versus strength to be a major folly.
Once you can feel the difference between using your weight and using force, it is easy to realise why.
Sunday
Maintaining central equilibrium enables us to use the three dimensions easily and skilfully.
If we slouch, lean or slump, the power is dissipated immediately.
The key to sustaining central equilibrium is to remain within your natural range, and to avoid exotic, flamboyant postures.
Low stances and wide stretches reduce your stability significantly.
The human skeleton is strongest when we are upright. Your tai chi needs to reflect this.
If your stance is long and low, it reduces your ability to move.
If we slouch, lean or slump, the power is dissipated immediately.
The key to sustaining central equilibrium is to remain within your natural range, and to avoid exotic, flamboyant postures.
Low stances and wide stretches reduce your stability significantly.
The human skeleton is strongest when we are upright. Your tai chi needs to reflect this.
If your stance is long and low, it reduces your ability to move.
The highest level of tai chi practice is high stance and small circle. In high stance and small circle you can conserve your energy to a maximum level.
(Yang Jwing-Ming)
(Yang Jwing-Ming)
To incapacitate an opponent, aim whenever possible to compromise their ability to maintain central equilibrium.
Invariably this is accomplished by encouraging them to over-commit, to lose their centre, to forsake their own balance.
Invariably this is accomplished by encouraging them to over-commit, to lose their centre, to forsake their own balance.
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