tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2305073377595253130.comments2024-03-12T07:51:11.321-07:00Classical Tai Chi BlogUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger78125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2305073377595253130.post-71870055815991361152023-10-02T17:07:25.930-07:002023-10-02T17:07:25.930-07:00Wu Jianquan is the son of Wu Quanyou Wu Family, no...Wu Jianquan is the son of Wu Quanyou Wu Family, not the Yang Family. This a correction by the author of this site.Jim Roach Classical Tai Chi of Buffalohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10924183081709152257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2305073377595253130.post-38021400993786519402023-09-02T08:46:08.590-07:002023-09-02T08:46:08.590-07:00I profited greatly from Master Hwa's DVDs.I profited greatly from Master Hwa's DVDs.Rick Matzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09699550034693340637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2305073377595253130.post-72233412839006830822023-08-22T12:00:14.714-07:002023-08-22T12:00:14.714-07:00You may find this article helpful in finding the r...You may find this article helpful in finding the right student-teacher combination. good luch with your studies.<br />Alan Ludmer<br />https://slantedflying.com/what-makes-successful-tai-chi-students-and-teachers/Alan Ludmerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08781749901644981632noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2305073377595253130.post-57147077053057959772023-05-15T05:32:22.308-07:002023-05-15T05:32:22.308-07:00Well said.Well said.Rick Matzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09699550034693340637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2305073377595253130.post-65600291488086405932023-05-02T18:10:25.508-07:002023-05-02T18:10:25.508-07:00We are going to blow our own horn here! Amazon fou...We are going to blow our own horn here! Amazon found my review to be the best and 23 people in the majority liked it☯️Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2305073377595253130.post-46858766678328012872022-04-20T02:42:03.546-07:002022-04-20T02:42:03.546-07:00Pretty good post. I just stumbled upon your blog a...Pretty good post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed reading your blog posts. Any way I'll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you post again soon. Big thanks for the useful info. <a href="https://taichionline.co.il/" rel="nofollow">טאי צ'י</a>areebashaikhhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11566414661613496323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2305073377595253130.post-70351227982379940742021-12-28T22:12:52.877-08:002021-12-28T22:12:52.877-08:00Hello, this is a nicely explained article. Your pi...Hello, this is a nicely explained article. Your piece was very informative. I had never heard the issue presented in that light. Thanks for your hard work.<br /><a href="https://www.walkproduction.com/graphic-design-agency/" rel="nofollow">graphic design</a>izzihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01896364629500961965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2305073377595253130.post-33088462899335146312020-11-27T10:19:15.553-08:002020-11-27T10:19:15.553-08:00A subtle difference and very few see it. There is...A subtle difference and very few see it. There is a huge difference between pushing off the leg or legs and letting force drop from the dan tien to the feet to firm up the legs for fajin. I think it brings into relationship qi and jin meaning that the qi together with the gathered force from the opponent drops to the feet firms up the legs, but li, muscular mechanical structure is not the emphasis especially in being used to push off the ground which I understand would create double weighting.<br />Bill Cranstounhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08029872014191827817noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2305073377595253130.post-1954874871544040732020-11-27T08:34:27.587-08:002020-11-27T08:34:27.587-08:00It is fun demonstrating the push backwards on some...It is fun demonstrating the push backwards on someone touching/ pushing from behind. It surprises your partner.Bill Cranstounhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08029872014191827817noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2305073377595253130.post-63474138354014811362020-01-16T05:54:42.454-08:002020-01-16T05:54:42.454-08:00Steve Marshall In martial arts and sports I think ...Steve Marshall In martial arts and sports I think we always think about what our arms and legs are doing -for instance The importance of our arms and legs when we throw a baseball –<br />Because of this post, I will be more aware of what my torso and core are doing and how they are connected to my arms and legs when performing sports or walking<br />Thanks again for this post – I am truly trying to be aware that every movement is internal and connected to the abdomen and lower back<br />This begins with the opening move in tai chi of raising the arms<br />The last time I saw Master Hwa he guided me to use my stomach to raise my arms in the opening move<br />I believe every move right from the beginning must be practiced slowly and do not rush the learning process<br />Practice with an awareness that the core/abdomen/lower back must be connected to the arms and legs to be practicing internal tai chi<br />Thanks a ton for the inspirationJim Roach Classical Tai Chi of Buffalohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10924183081709152257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2305073377595253130.post-18507245980846885932019-10-16T05:46:33.684-07:002019-10-16T05:46:33.684-07:00Life just works better when I practice every day.Life just works better when I practice every day.Rick Matzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09699550034693340637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2305073377595253130.post-47261850203566624392018-10-30T03:28:42.581-07:002018-10-30T03:28:42.581-07:00I would like to say that this blog really convince...I would like to say that this blog really convinced me, you give me the best information! Thanks, very good post.<br /><a href="https://www.wheelchairindia.com/Wheelchair/0/DAILY-LIVING-AIDS" rel="nofollow">Daily Living Aids</a>Manish Batrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11657526504514399576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2305073377595253130.post-70126239236691414852017-08-16T02:05:51.092-07:002017-08-16T02:05:51.092-07:00In viewing several other Youtube videos that promi...In viewing several other Youtube videos that promise "...healthy knees through Tai Chi..." I was struck by how much the teachers are lecturing rather than demonstrating. One video of 16-minute duration showed the teacher speaking for 10 minutes rather than teaching. In his videos on healthy knees and healthy back Stephen Hwa gets into the nitty gritty of "how to do it" within the first minute. A disturbing sight in many videos is how teachers continue to have the back foot turned out which creates shear and torque forces on the knees. They also demonstrate knee positions that violate the rule of "knee does not go over the toe" on a consistent basis. They clearly are not aware they are making this painful mistake so how is it good for you and me? In light of this, one thing is becoming clear however and that is how many students seem oblivious even to the discomfort even pain of this, after all their teacher taught them to do it. Jim Roach Classical Tai Chi of Buffalohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10924183081709152257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2305073377595253130.post-45135494544776306942017-08-16T01:54:04.561-07:002017-08-16T01:54:04.561-07:00The number of Youtube videos touting "Tai Chi...The number of Youtube videos touting "Tai Chi for the back", etc. has become quite extensive. What is perplexing, however, is how they promise back relief by showing "forms" that increase the compression forces on the back and spine. It is easy to see that their upright and perpendicular postures create a concave curvature that is occurring in the lower back. It almost goes without saying that this indicates localized compression and stress forces on the spine. Stephen Hwa has outlined a clear path with comprehensive instruction on how to achieve and maintain a healthy spine and healthy back in this video.Jim Roach Classical Tai Chi of Buffalohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10924183081709152257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2305073377595253130.post-90712299045135860272017-08-05T05:17:28.700-07:002017-08-05T05:17:28.700-07:00New video from my teacher Hwa Laoshi, published 8/...New video from my teacher Hwa Laoshi, published 8/4: Stretch from cervical spine to Achilles heel" My experience with this tells me the stretch has to be all of one piece and you will actually feel the whole back from head to heel making the stretch like a straight piece of rope. Any bend, curve, heel not on the ground firmly and it is like stretching a rope clustered with knots so the stretch will only go to the knot of next proximity.Jim Roach Classical Tai Chi of Buffalohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10924183081709152257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2305073377595253130.post-28763343650620895162012-05-24T12:45:27.541-07:002012-05-24T12:45:27.541-07:00This comment has been hidden from the blog.Jim Roach Classical Tai Chi of Buffalohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10924183081709152257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2305073377595253130.post-36384768980673678982012-05-24T12:38:46.604-07:002012-05-24T12:38:46.604-07:00This comment has been hidden from the blog.Jim Roach Classical Tai Chi of Buffalohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10924183081709152257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2305073377595253130.post-1506897661319002252012-03-22T03:39:09.464-07:002012-03-22T03:39:09.464-07:00This comment has been hidden from the blog.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2305073377595253130.post-80089485599536193132012-03-19T17:01:18.276-07:002012-03-19T17:01:18.276-07:00This comment has been hidden from the blog.DungHohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11546990721600651452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2305073377595253130.post-41674805186033054372012-02-21T07:08:53.533-08:002012-02-21T07:08:53.533-08:00Sifu, Your analogy of a slinky has helped me with ...Sifu, Your analogy of a slinky has helped me with the walk. I tend to look down as you commented above at my feet when I do the walk focusing my attention on the proper foot, thigh position. When I envision that slinky exerting a slight stretch on my neck my gaze lifts. When I take my time and pause as you suggest in the last paragraph this slight stretch of the neck envisioning(I dont know if thats a word) from a slinky works better for me than a piece of twine. Mark TMark Thomassonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2305073377595253130.post-15428384723488127112012-01-24T07:47:24.719-08:002012-01-24T07:47:24.719-08:00In the parlance of the 60's, "Right On!&q...In the parlance of the 60's, "Right On!"<br /><br />We too often bathe in our "tubs" of impatience, blaming others for our frustrations. Growing/learning, (i.e. overcoming our physical and mental inertias) can be an uncomfortable process, but growth cannot happen if we don't stretch ourselves, and stretching can sometimes be uncomfortable. <br /><br />The treasure of Classical Tai Chi gives us an expanded framework and direction for which to strive. But more than providing a goal, Classical Tai Chi is also the journey and the guide to that goal. <br /><br />Ultimately we must decide if we are content in our inertia, or willing to humble ourselves, become an "infant" again, and accept the growth that Classical Tai Chi offers.<br /><br />Thank you for your words, Sifu.Chuckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10996138224125056406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2305073377595253130.post-67183110295311321292011-10-07T06:07:00.506-07:002011-10-07T06:07:00.506-07:00As the saying goes a "picture is worth a thou...As the saying goes a "picture is worth a thousand words" A moving picture must be worth significantly more ! I think (in my humble opinion) the person that challenged the concept of "stillness" did fully comprehend this concept . As I first viewed this video (my background being from an external Martial Art)would have believed that "all parts must move" in order to be effective but as I watched the video it is clear that only a limted amount maybe 3/4 or so of Master Hwa's body moves, but his rooted leg does not seem to move at all in the video. If you recognize that he has generated this movement from his "core" or "center" it is easy to say he was "still" in one part of his body as no movement is observed from a greater distance ie his rooted leg. The analogy I thought of was a still pond with no movement if one drops a pebble in the center of the pond the further out from the orinating point the more noticable the movement (the ripples in the pond). I know this is not a perfect example but it is clear to me that one can remain still in one area and yet be moving other parts of the body. This obviously is a skill which requires significant years of training to develop, but can none the less canbe accopmplished and is very effective as demonstrated by Master Hwa.Barrynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2305073377595253130.post-14807380274626697602011-10-03T12:08:43.563-07:002011-10-03T12:08:43.563-07:00Master Hwa, Thanks for this "hit the nail on ...Master Hwa, Thanks for this "hit the nail on the head" comment. <br /><br />One of the blessings (as I say in a previous article) is the awareness of pleasant sensations in the body. A mixed blessing perhaps is how bad sensations will also be brought to the surface...in the case of pain or injury however, are they really "bad". As you say "heightened negative sensation enables the practitioner to sense the wrong body posture or structure...twist force in the knee". <br /><br />If we look at it all as sensation then it really becomes a case of what we assign to them. The ability to see things so clear that "we are living in the springtime" of our life is probably best exampled by children. We do have opportunity with our practice however to move back toward that ideal. In other words the practice is a developmental one. You state "...these negative sensation guided me to improve my form movement...students using his own feedback sensation to alert that something is not right".<br /><br />As developmental things go however, it is really as you said, dependent on feedback. In our case, it the feedback such as John C. or other students described in letters about aches, pains, tight spots, whether painful or pleasurable. How does it do this and how can one use it to alleviate such pains and aches? You stated "I am always wonder why so many people practice tai chi with such bad posture oblivious of its consequences".<br /><br /> First of all, I think it is a master diagnostician in terms of providing feedback. Our training in internal discipline also helps in pinpointing exactly where the aches and pains are occurring. What also helps is the emotional content of how it makes us feel. You wrote "such feedback sensation needs to be cultivated. It may not be something born with it."<br /><br />In the past when this has occurred and in some cases it has not all gone, but some has, I have gone back into my practice. I examine the basics: " the posture, my body structure, am I standing too perpendicular when I should be leaning, if I am is my back straight and not concave, the directions that I should move in precisely, the hand position, the foot position that is supposed to be attained precisely, the timing of the movements, working to achieve precision, finally on to internal discipline precisely". <br /><br /> Which postures are the aches and pains occurring on, are there similarities with other postures, for instance brush knee forward is in one sense brush knee stepping back (repulse monkey)...what similarities are there in any other postures. It could be a problem with incorrectness of basics and the numerous examples of criteria that I mention that would be the most likely cause. Without seeing you, I can only say I don't think the aches and pains are coming from something outrageous in the way you move...I base this on your overall good attitude about wanting to do the hard work. Are these things pre-existing? Of course they could be, in any event it could be exacerbated by what we do incorrectly.<br /><br />This is the "cultivation of feedback" that Master Hwa speaks of: Even narrowing down what we do wrong can be used to pinpoint and improve things however. Like it is said about removing even a straw from a camel's back...Jim Roach Classical Tai Chi of Buffalohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10924183081709152257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2305073377595253130.post-74289274959752300652011-10-03T07:46:48.140-07:002011-10-03T07:46:48.140-07:00It is the heightened negative sensation enable the...It is the heightened negative sensation enable the practitioner to sense that he or she has the wrong posture or body structure, such as a concaved back putting undue pressure on the lower back, or an out turned back foot which create a twist force in the knee, etc.<br />It is these negative sensation guided me to improve my form movement. No teacher can correct every movement of the student. It is up to the student using his own feedback sensation to alert that something is not right.<br />I am always wonder why so many people practice tai chi with such bad posture oblivious of its consequnces. As Jim point out that such feed back sensation needs to be cultivated. It may not be something born with it.stephen hwahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14357283498844925120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2305073377595253130.post-43439886508628161262011-09-19T22:24:08.732-07:002011-09-19T22:24:08.732-07:00Love how beautiful your site isLove how beautiful your site isPumpkinBlushhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11382403258470805362noreply@blogger.com