Archives for June 2010

Push Or Shove Tai Chi

One of the techniques I practice each day is the ‘push.’

And there is a difference between a push and a shove when it comes to Tai Chi.

In the Tai Chi Chuan Treatise by Chang San Feng there is a line ‘…. if there is a front there is a back’ (‘When attacking or defending on one side, you must be aware of the other side’).

Here’s my interpretation of this in regards to a push.

When you are pushing an opponent forward be aware of the reverse direction.

Try this concept on a punching bag.

Hold your arms out in front of you, elbows bent and push the bag and see what happens.

If upon contact the bag swings away from you then you are shoving and not pushing because you have not paid attention to ‘the other side’ i.e. the reverse direction.

Now try it again by focusing on the reverse direction while you are pushing forward.

If the bag hardly moves then you are correctly pushing and not just shoving.

It took me many attempts to get to a basic skill level.

It’s not easy, have a go and let me know what happens.

Footnote: Quote from Dr Yang Jwing-Ming Advanced Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan Vol. 1

Tai Chi – Miracle Cure?

By Chris 5 Comments

Is Tai Chi a miracle cure for your problems?

Is it the best fighting art?

In two words, no and no.

It’s not Tai Chi that will provide you with a miracle cure.

The miracles you are looking for may occur if you do two things.

Keep an open mind
Practice

Very simple concepts that are difficult to do because it requires discipline.

So the next time you read about the miracle of Tai Chi, ground yourself in reality and focus on the above concepts.

If you do your Tai Chi, wellbeing, and self defence skills will improve gradually.

Footnote: There are no free yum cha’s in Tai Chi. Only practice.

Sitting Meditation

By Chris Leave a Comment

As part of my overall training I do about ten minutes of sitting meditation each day.

I do it for two reasons;

it enables me to calm my mind
it gives my wonky knees a rest from the more physical training I do

When I do this meditation I spend two minutes on the ‘inner smile’, three minutes on ‘dissolving’ and five minutes on focusing on my tan tien.

Here’s how to do it;

sit on the edge of the chair
relax the shoulders
Imagine a string attached to your head, gently pulling you straight up
feet shoulder width apart and flat on the flloor
Hands resting on the knees
Breathe slowly, deeply and comfortably

Although I combine my sitting meditation with other techniques, it is okay to sit there and just meditate.

Have a go and let me know how you feel afterwards.