More tips on push hands and sparring by Guo Shifu. I like his explanation and demonstration on sparring and moving like a ‘sphere’.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-SliCE30sM&feature=related[/youtube]
Tai Chi Tip #44
Push Hands: When your arms are pinned against your body, sink and turn
Hey, Mr. Tan Tien Man
A few years ago I was training with our instructor and a small group of students in a garage.
We were practising some techniques and my training partner mentioned an idea that I found unusual.
I didn’t give it too much thought at the time but later on I started to use it in my training and found it to be very beneficial.
Although it may sound a bit weird, here is the technique.
1. Imagine there is a little man inside your tan tien.
2. Each time you practice a technique, imagine the little man doing exactly the same thing at the same time as you are, perfectly.
It’s a simple concept and here are the reasons why it works for me.
1. It keeps my focus in the tan tien area – stops my mind from wandering.
2. My movements are more precise.
3. Improves my speed when practising a technique.
When I have reflected on this technique I’ve wondered if points 2 & 3 were part of my imagination or just a placebo effect. But it doesn’t really matter. If the only benefit I get from this concept is that it keeps me focused on my tan tien then it is worthwhile.
Before trying this technique make sure you have mastered the skill you are practising. If you don’t you could be fine tuning a bad habit.
If you decide to have a go, let me know if it works for you or not.
Footnote: re title – no, I was not influenced by Bob Dylan or The Byrds singing ‘Hey Mr Tambourine Man … Oh, hang on, maybe I was?
Women’s Self Defence – Tai Chi Way
A few years ago I ran short courses in self defence for women.
The courses were 6-8 weeks in duration, one hour per week.
When I sat down and created these courses I looked at my Tai Chi background to develop simple and practical techniques.
One technique I taught was from the Tai Chi essentials (body alignment).
That technique was ‘chin’ alignment.
You simply tuck your chin slightly in.
How can that be used as a self defence technique?
Well, it’s a preventative self defence technique that anybody can do.
Here’s my rationale.
Sticking your chin out can be interpreted as a sign of arrogance or you are looking for trouble (it tends to be a guy thing). You are actually inviting a reaction, particularly from an attacker.
Now, if your chin is tucked in too tightly, it will force your head downards into a submissive pose. Something that attackers tend to look for.
The Tai Chi chin alignment is not only correct body posture but it also gives out an assertive look that may cause an attacker to have second thoughts.
Inwardly you may feel nervous or fearful but when you adopt the correct body posture it can help deter attackers.
I made sure the course was fun by using the following exercise to practice the ‘chin’ technique.
I had women work in pairs. They walked past each other three times. Each time they would either adopt an aggressive, passive or assertive chin pose.
I got them to exaggerate the aggressive and passive chin poses to tap into the feel of the correct chin technique. And it also helped them to loosen up and have fun learning.
Oh, I did teach basic strikes, kicks, strategies with specific Tai Chi themes in these short courses but the emphasis was always on prevention.
And prevention to me is the ideal form of self defence.
In case you don’t know, Tai Chi is a self defence art and here’s a demonstration byGrand Master Cheng Tin – Hung.
It takes talent, dedication and several years practice to be able to use Tai Chi as a form of self defence.
However, from my experience most women neither have the time nor interest to learn self defence to that extent.
That’s why short self defence courses are ideal for many women.
It provides them with basic skills, strategies and confidence they may otherwise never have.
Tai Chi Tip #40
Strikes: focus on your tan tien not your shoulders or arms.