In Part I of our article “What’s the Difference?” I listed seven characteristics of taiji (tai chi) movement. Based on questions/comments received, I thought it worthwhile to expound a bit on each of these. The goal here was to make…
What’s the difference? Part II: comparing taiji and external arts
From a physical perspective, in taiji (tai chi) we are fundamentally training balance, flexibility, coordination, power, efficiency of force exertion, sensitivity/reaction, agility, and confidence. This is the gong of gongfu—without which technique is empty. All of these are, of course,…
What’s the difference? Part I: comparing internal arts
So what makes taiji taiji? I mean, what is unique to taijiquan, what makes it different from anything else? My 30+ year journey through taiji has paralleled my spiritual journey (and certainly not coincidentally so, as daily meditation is a…
More on internal power mechanisms: understanding the elastic force
Background – Summary/Review of Internal Power As detailed in a previous two-part article series, internal power has two components – yin and yang aspects. The yang component is primarily core strength – learning to utilize core musculature to maximize power…
Awareness – #1 on our top 12 list
In our last blog post we listed 12 words to describe taiji (tai chi). The first on that list was awareness – a word that may not have been on many people’s list. Why awareness? Taiji practice is about knowing…
Top 12 list – words to describe taiji
We’ve been posting some rather long and, in some cases, technical articles. I thought here we would strive for brevity while still attempting to convey the essence of taiji (tai chi) practice. What better format, then, than the ‘ole tried…
Don’t practice form in a low stance – and why not
Only because I was Dr. Yang Yang’s student, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to travel to China on several occasions and to meet privately with his teacher, Grandmaster Feng Zhiqiang, at his apartment in Beijing. On my first…
Self-defense theory and practices of taiji – Part II: mental attitude and aptitude
Lessons from sport training Perhaps the most important thing learned from sports, and certainly my own experience in individual combat sports, is the importance of the mind. One must have the physical prowess to compete successfully at more advanced levels…
Self-defense theory and practices of taiji – Part I: physical strategies and skills
Having examined the mechanisms of internal force (nei jin) in the previous two-part blog entry, we can now take a look at the practice and strategies of taiji (tai chi) as a martial art. This post will be a broad-brush…
Physical mechanisms of taiji movement – examining two classical taiji sayings. Part II: intention is primary
In Part I we examined the classical saying “power is released from the spine,” noting how flexion of the spine and core strength are integral mechanisms of “internal” power. This could be described as the “yang” of taiji (tai chi)…
Physical mechanisms of taiji movement – examining two classical taiji sayings. Part I: “power is released from the spine.”
I realized we are four articles into our blog, and have not yet addressed any technical aspects of form. So let’s now take a look at physical mechanisms of taiji (tai chi) movement. There are two primary physical mechanisms of…
Are you a master?
New! Listen to an AI generated podcast summary and discussion of this article . . . Around 2004 Dr. Yang asked me to take over teaching responsibilities for the Champaign Urbana taiji (tai chi) school that he started while a…
From similar in appearance to similar in spirit: understanding energy and the wisdom of Kung Fu Panda
There is a famous traditional saying describing the process of learning taiji (tai chi): from similar in appearance to similar in spirit The taiji classics also say: “no excess, no deficiency.” When we start to learn taiji movement, we try…
Meditation – beyond technique
There are many techniques for meditation. Categories include chanting/mantras/vocal toning, awareness (of body sensations, thoughts or emotions, surroundings), contemplation, devotion, and focused concentration. Meditation can be practiced in static (sitting, standing, lying-down) positions or while moving. Prayer is or can…
Yin and Yang – fundamental reality in east and west
New! Listen to an AI generated podcast summary and discussion of this article . . . The duality of complementary opposites, termed yin and yang in Chinese philosophy and symbolized in the taiji diagram, is a fundamental reality of nature…