Monday Morning Training Tip #216 Tai Chi Chuan – Meditation in Motion There a many types of formal, systematized meditation techniques. From opening the body, to opening the heart, to opening the mind, there is a technique for everyone. I started meditating in my life...
Dealing With Problems the Tai Chi Way I think that one of the worst short-comings of the mind is that we often fail to see the beginnings of really big problems because the forms in which they arise are right before our eyes. In our bodies, as in the environment, we...
Endorphins Tai Chi and other internal arts have been demonstrated in the laboratory, to produce endorphins. Endorphins, known as the brain opiate, have ounce for ounce, 10,000 times the painkilling power of morphine. The mind releases endorphins to dull pain, or...
A really great exercise Now that we have explored the Thirteen Methods (Shi San Shi), it is time to start to put the practical philosophy into practice. I highly recommend giving this exercise a try. The idea is to go through the Long Form (or whatever form you know)...
Jou and Kao (Elbow and Shoulder) This weeks Tip covers the last of the Bafa (Eight Energies). We started this study of the Shi San Shi (Thirteen Methods) by examining the Wubu or Five Steps, then moving to the Bafa. I know it is on the technical side, but, if you have...
Lieh – Split Lieh is an interesting energy expression. Two forces moving in opposite directions, equally, either away from each other or towards each other. Rip apart or squeeze together. Single Whip, Parting the Wild Horse’s Mane, Slanting Flying are good...
Greetings. Perfect Spring weather here in Port Townsend. Clear, sunny days, and the nights are starting to warm a bit. Great time to go outside and play your Tai Chi. We continue looking at the Thirteen Methods, and a little tid-bit on energy and the body. Cai – Pluck...
Musing about An (Push) This week we will focus on An which is usually translated as Push, but because we are talking about Push in Tai Chi Chuan, it requires some explanation. This is a rather long exploration of the topic. We will continue with “Outreach”, and...
First, I want to thank you for your kind words of support. It really means a lot to me. Ji Ji or Press is one of the four basic energies that make up Grasp the Bird’s Tail. I feel it is the most mysterious of the four, and, when used properly, the most...
Peng and Lu Even though the legs are the most important aspect of Tai Chi practice and excellence, most players seem to be more familiar with the upper body or torso terms and usage. I received quite a few comments from last weeks post saying the information was quite...
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