Classical Tai Chi Workshop from July 2011, Buffalo, NY. Master Stephen Hwa of Classical Tai
Chi (Wu Tai Chi, Wu Style Tai Chi Taiji). Master Hwa discusses Silk Reeling "Quarter Body
Folding Movement".
Excerpted and some editing from "Uncovering the Treasure, Classical Tai Chi's Path to Health & Energy" by Stephen Hwa:
Please go to this link: Classical Wu Style Tai Chi "Quarter Body Folding Movement"
Master Stephen Hwa teaching it and you can see student and friend Al Judd. RIP dear Al.
A nice obituary in the Buffalo News: https://buffalonews.com/.../article_2de29a4e-bd69-11ed...
Al Judd was a Classical Tai Chi student of mine and in one photo is with Master Stephen Hwa and Sifu Tom Kostusiak. Another photo is with direct instruction from Master Stephen Hwa and Tom Kostusiak
in the background. RIP Al, it was always good to have you as a
student. I did not know you had a Black Belt in Judo and thank you once
again for enabling our access to teach at St.Marks.
The folding move involves only one side of the body; but in this case, it is not the entire side (including the legs which are shown in the photo above) (including the legs which are shown in the photo above) which would be known as "hand follows foot, elbow follows knee", so please do not confuse this with that movement
This is just the upper quadrant of the body moving/folding as a unit. It is a QUARTER-BODY move. In the case shown in the video, the right side of the body is folding or unfolding by keeping the left side of the body stationary. The stationary part provides support, and some of the power for the move but the lower 2 quadrants (legs) provide grounding. The Right side of the body is yang, and the left side of the body is yin. The Yin-Yang junction is at the spine. One can visualize that the spine is a hinge, so each side of the torso, down through the buttocks is like a door that folds or unfolds using that hinge. If the leg was involved in the movement, it would be a HALF-BODY move.
Even though only a quarter of the body is moving it is still an important example of how to make a move but still keep a portion (in this case 3/4 of the body). It is also of importance as an example of how to make a move but keep a significant portion of the body alignment intact. Whether half-body or quarter-body, whether the leg moves with it or not it can only be achieved when the turning power comes from the waist and the entire back's muscles.
If this is done correctly and tailor-made, one will achieve a continuous energy flow in the body. It is a "neigong" exercise. It is tailor-made to be a "silk reeling exercise" which might be defined as a continuous symmetrical simple internal movement or movements. By doing this, one will be able to learn gradually how to move with internal discipline and enjoy the sensation of internal energy circulation. This exercise emphasizes the stimulation of muscles, tendons, and blood flow along the spine and the back. Those who practice this regularly experience a sense of rejuvenation and improved well-being. If one has spare moments during the day, particularly if the exercise can be carried out in a casual and relaxed mood, there will be more chances for the subconscious to play a part. The ultimate objective is to learn internal movements like this in more or less a piecemeal fashion and then integrate them into the Form play.
The folding move involves only one side of the body; but in this case, it is not the entire side (including the legs which are shown in the photo above) (including the legs which are shown in the photo above) which would be known as "hand follows foot, elbow follows knee", so please do not confuse this with that movement
This is just the upper quadrant of the body moving/folding as a unit. It is a QUARTER-BODY move. In the case shown in the video, the right side of the body is folding or unfolding by keeping the left side of the body stationary. The stationary part provides support, and some of the power for the move but the lower 2 quadrants (legs) provide grounding. The Right side of the body is yang, and the left side of the body is yin. The Yin-Yang junction is at the spine. One can visualize that the spine is a hinge, so each side of the torso, down through the buttocks is like a door that folds or unfolds using that hinge. If the leg was involved in the movement, it would be a HALF-BODY move.
Even though only a quarter of the body is moving it is still an important example of how to make a move but still keep a portion (in this case 3/4 of the body). It is also of importance as an example of how to make a move but keep a significant portion of the body alignment intact. Whether half-body or quarter-body, whether the leg moves with it or not it can only be achieved when the turning power comes from the waist and the entire back's muscles.
If this is done correctly and tailor-made, one will achieve a continuous energy flow in the body. It is a "neigong" exercise. It is tailor-made to be a "silk reeling exercise" which might be defined as a continuous symmetrical simple internal movement or movements. By doing this, one will be able to learn gradually how to move with internal discipline and enjoy the sensation of internal energy circulation. This exercise emphasizes the stimulation of muscles, tendons, and blood flow along the spine and the back. Those who practice this regularly experience a sense of rejuvenation and improved well-being. If one has spare moments during the day, particularly if the exercise can be carried out in a casual and relaxed mood, there will be more chances for the subconscious to play a part. The ultimate objective is to learn internal movements like this in more or less a piecemeal fashion and then integrate them into the Form play.
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