Took an hour at the Delta:
- Laojia Chen Cannon Fist
- Xinjia Chen Yi-lu
- Snake X3
- Dragon X2
- Crane X1
Now back home feeling super mellowed out!
Saturday 23 February 2013
Wednesday 20 February 2013
Well, it's now the Wednesday after our Chinese New Year event at Cold Mountain, and day 62/100 in this training cycle. (I lost a week due to other activities.) I am cutting back on my ambitions for it. I shall not have time and energy to create the Tiger form; it shall remain out there before me, a project for the future. But the Snake and the Dragon forms are complete, and I view them with a real sense of accomplishment.
At our "Year of the Snake" event on Feb. 16 my associate Jan Bentley-Fogolin was ill, and so I both taught the Snake Qigong at the 1:00 session, and also followed up with the Tai Chi form at 2:00. I'll eventually post footage of the event, as it becomes available.
We had a turn-out of more than 70 people, with visitors from various areas of Southern Ontario. More than 30 took part in the Snake workshops. When we finished, old Master Loong Wong from Toronto approached me and said that he was amazed that so many seemed to have actually learned what could be considered a short, but rather difficult, Tai Chi form. I think the trick was to present each movement in Qigong form, which involved relaxed concentration and many reps, before linking them into a martial exercise.
My task now will be to achieve a similar degree of internalization with the Dragon!
At our "Year of the Snake" event on Feb. 16 my associate Jan Bentley-Fogolin was ill, and so I both taught the Snake Qigong at the 1:00 session, and also followed up with the Tai Chi form at 2:00. I'll eventually post footage of the event, as it becomes available.
We had a turn-out of more than 70 people, with visitors from various areas of Southern Ontario. More than 30 took part in the Snake workshops. When we finished, old Master Loong Wong from Toronto approached me and said that he was amazed that so many seemed to have actually learned what could be considered a short, but rather difficult, Tai Chi form. I think the trick was to present each movement in Qigong form, which involved relaxed concentration and many reps, before linking them into a martial exercise.
My task now will be to achieve a similar degree of internalization with the Dragon!
Thursday 17 January 2013
Additional Elements for Dragon
Thursday January the 17th. of 1013, and day 36/100!
The form works; but I've omitted two Dragon trade-mark moves which really should be included: Repulse Monkey and Partition of Horse's Mane. These both have a beautiful centred coiling and shooting-forth quality in the Chen Xinjia form, and should have their place in this new Tai Chi form. Tricky though, as these are major elements which should be done in repetition. So this will have an effect on the shape and structure of the larger sequence.
I am happy with including both the traditional Fair Lady's Shuttles as well as Master Jou's version, the double palm strikes with follow step. The former is Earth Dragon and comes from our Xinjia version of the Chen Yi-lu, while the latter is definitely Wood as is drawn from our Laojia version of the Cannon Fist as I learned it from Master Jou. Creatively, having a bit more insight into these elements, thanks to Randall's in-put, has resulted in an artistic reconciliation which permits the inclusion of both versions.
For the Single Whip I shall use the Chen Xinjia version, rather than Old Yang. Old Yang can certainly be Dragony, but I have already experimented with it in the Snake Tai Chi. The Chen version is beautifully expansive and majestic, and suits the Earth Dragon concept.
The form works; but I've omitted two Dragon trade-mark moves which really should be included: Repulse Monkey and Partition of Horse's Mane. These both have a beautiful centred coiling and shooting-forth quality in the Chen Xinjia form, and should have their place in this new Tai Chi form. Tricky though, as these are major elements which should be done in repetition. So this will have an effect on the shape and structure of the larger sequence.
I am happy with including both the traditional Fair Lady's Shuttles as well as Master Jou's version, the double palm strikes with follow step. The former is Earth Dragon and comes from our Xinjia version of the Chen Yi-lu, while the latter is definitely Wood as is drawn from our Laojia version of the Cannon Fist as I learned it from Master Jou. Creatively, having a bit more insight into these elements, thanks to Randall's in-put, has resulted in an artistic reconciliation which permits the inclusion of both versions.
For the Single Whip I shall use the Chen Xinjia version, rather than Old Yang. Old Yang can certainly be Dragony, but I have already experimented with it in the Snake Tai Chi. The Chen version is beautifully expansive and majestic, and suits the Earth Dragon concept.
Wednesday 16 January 2013
Dragons: thinking about structure
So....the form starts pretty verbatim from the Dragon Qigong, then moves slightly to the West (assuming a start facing North) in a series of Earth-dragon movements. These end with "Wrapping Papers", a double back-fist movement. What I then see happening is pivoting and proceeding to the West with:
- Drilling with instep kick and dragon step / sit
- Fan Through back
- Circle Punch (Wood)
- Green dragon Skims the waves and
- Double Palms (configuration undecided, but probably Wood)
then turn to E. with...
- Elbow and advancing palm
- Dragon Flight R and L steps
- Jade Lady's Shuttles to R, L and R
- Stamping movement then Leaping White Snake from Xinjia
- turn to W and Single Whip.
Then:
- Machine Rushes X 3
- Ride Unicorn and Look Back
- White Snake X3
- Turn to Front and High pat X3
- Leaping Lotus Kick
- Swimming dragon X1
- conclusion with water path and Sink the Qi.
So --- I'll print this off and road-test it tomorrow!
Finalized - Snake Tai Chi and Qigong
January 16, Sifu Steve writes:
Had 2 days off, so this is 35/100. We have a deal with the Delta Hotel health club for the use of a space. It's only a 10 minute walk for me, so I'm taking advantage of it!
The Snake Tai Chi and Qigong are finalized! Here's the Tai Chi sequence:
1. Snake Moves its Body, Hibernates: Start with feet together (bingbu) and Python Moves its Body; then circle down and back up, thenstep out L foot into wujibu with middle fingers pressed into navel and palms cupped, Snake Hibernates (meditate on heat).
2. Snake Wakes and Hunts: Turn from side to side 3 times, on 4th. L Lohan block as you turn to the R and then pivot on ball R foot to throw L. Steps out with L. foot and lock arm.
3. Snake Sticks out Tongue: step up with R. foot and then out with L into White Snake Sticks-out Tongue (Brush Knee), then repeat to R. with Carry Tiger to Mountain.
4. Snake Hunts the Monkey: Shift R and follow step L into Cross Hands to Penetrate (fingertip strike w. R. hand), circle arms and shift R foot parallel to L in Fist Under Elbow (in wujibu). Then shift weight to R and execute back-weighted Cross Hands to penetrate and entry into Repulse Monkey; second Repulse Monkey morphs into Old Yang Single Whip.
5. Up the Tree and Down (Heaven and Earth & Snake Creeps Down): Yin-Yang Palms as transition, the Snake Creeps Down 3X both sides, slow and lower each time.
6. Waiting Snake, R Lotus Kick: Twist step L with R. forearm block and up into L empty stance with R palm out and L palm down under R elbow. Sweep Lotus.
7. Conclusion: Step back R to wujibu with turn of torso and accumulating circles, then Snake Hibernates with diminishing circles. Then dispersing circles and water path conclusion with sinking the qi.
The Qigong follows the same sequence, but I have not written it out yet. There's been opportunity to test-drive it in small groups, and it seems to 'cook'. Two club members who, due to health Hx have depleted qi and are usually cold, found that it heated them right up. The back weighted "White Snake" / "Cross Hands" really works the kidneys and, I suspect, has an effect on the immunes.
Key to the Tai Chi is extreme softness and doing it slowly.
The Dragon is coming as well. The Dragon Qigong from Dr. Shen requires no modification. The new Tai Chi form is probably going to fall in three sections, of which the first is tentatively complete, focusing on the earth dragon. The next section will be centred on wood and water.
I shall leave Tiger alone until the Dragon is complete.
Had 2 days off, so this is 35/100. We have a deal with the Delta Hotel health club for the use of a space. It's only a 10 minute walk for me, so I'm taking advantage of it!
The Snake Tai Chi and Qigong are finalized! Here's the Tai Chi sequence:
1. Snake Moves its Body, Hibernates: Start with feet together (bingbu) and Python Moves its Body; then circle down and back up, thenstep out L foot into wujibu with middle fingers pressed into navel and palms cupped, Snake Hibernates (meditate on heat).
2. Snake Wakes and Hunts: Turn from side to side 3 times, on 4th. L Lohan block as you turn to the R and then pivot on ball R foot to throw L. Steps out with L. foot and lock arm.
3. Snake Sticks out Tongue: step up with R. foot and then out with L into White Snake Sticks-out Tongue (Brush Knee), then repeat to R. with Carry Tiger to Mountain.
4. Snake Hunts the Monkey: Shift R and follow step L into Cross Hands to Penetrate (fingertip strike w. R. hand), circle arms and shift R foot parallel to L in Fist Under Elbow (in wujibu). Then shift weight to R and execute back-weighted Cross Hands to penetrate and entry into Repulse Monkey; second Repulse Monkey morphs into Old Yang Single Whip.
5. Up the Tree and Down (Heaven and Earth & Snake Creeps Down): Yin-Yang Palms as transition, the Snake Creeps Down 3X both sides, slow and lower each time.
6. Waiting Snake, R Lotus Kick: Twist step L with R. forearm block and up into L empty stance with R palm out and L palm down under R elbow. Sweep Lotus.
7. Conclusion: Step back R to wujibu with turn of torso and accumulating circles, then Snake Hibernates with diminishing circles. Then dispersing circles and water path conclusion with sinking the qi.
The Qigong follows the same sequence, but I have not written it out yet. There's been opportunity to test-drive it in small groups, and it seems to 'cook'. Two club members who, due to health Hx have depleted qi and are usually cold, found that it heated them right up. The back weighted "White Snake" / "Cross Hands" really works the kidneys and, I suspect, has an effect on the immunes.
Key to the Tai Chi is extreme softness and doing it slowly.
The Dragon is coming as well. The Dragon Qigong from Dr. Shen requires no modification. The new Tai Chi form is probably going to fall in three sections, of which the first is tentatively complete, focusing on the earth dragon. The next section will be centred on wood and water.
I shall leave Tiger alone until the Dragon is complete.
Day with the Menagerie
January 6, Sifu Steve writes:
Today is 27/100. We had a workout on Tai Chi improv this afternoon, accompanied by pianist Jason White, focusing on Tiger, Cockerel and Bear. Cockerel, with all the leaping, is particularly demanding. Then I taught the extended version of the Dragon Qigong, and also worked alone on the Snake and Dragon forms. About 3 hours on animals altogether! What a buzz!
Today is 27/100. We had a workout on Tai Chi improv this afternoon, accompanied by pianist Jason White, focusing on Tiger, Cockerel and Bear. Cockerel, with all the leaping, is particularly demanding. Then I taught the extended version of the Dragon Qigong, and also worked alone on the Snake and Dragon forms. About 3 hours on animals altogether! What a buzz!
Getting the Snake ready for CNY debut...
January 4, Sifu Steve writes:
The Snake qigong and Tai Chi forms are now complete and ready for our New Year event in February. The Tai Chi form consists of 7 compound movements; the qigong of around 20, which gives a pretty reasonable idea of the actual number of individual movements in the Tai Chi. So, continuing my project, I am now deeply engaged in developing a Dragon form.
Initially, it was intended to be brief as well; however I realized that this stage of the project affords me the opportunity to explore the development of a longer form with the technical problems of energetic development which that involves. Randall Templeton has given me some great input about this, and while his concepts differ somewhat from my own his insights have been very valuable.
One issue is that there are various kinds of Chinese Dragon. While the blue-green Dragon has in common with the Snake a watery coiling aspect, it also shoots forth like lightning or lightning, or like a river bursting its banks. The golden Dragon has a different character, representing the centre, the concept of hierarchy and order, and also a balanced powerful shaking kind of movement reminiscent of the waves of power emanating out from an earthquake.
To this point I have the first 10 movements of the dragon Tai Chi form. They are drawn from the old Yang family middle-frame, and from the Chen family new and old frame, particularly the old-frame "Cannon Fist".
The Snake qigong and Tai Chi forms are now complete and ready for our New Year event in February. The Tai Chi form consists of 7 compound movements; the qigong of around 20, which gives a pretty reasonable idea of the actual number of individual movements in the Tai Chi. So, continuing my project, I am now deeply engaged in developing a Dragon form.
Initially, it was intended to be brief as well; however I realized that this stage of the project affords me the opportunity to explore the development of a longer form with the technical problems of energetic development which that involves. Randall Templeton has given me some great input about this, and while his concepts differ somewhat from my own his insights have been very valuable.
One issue is that there are various kinds of Chinese Dragon. While the blue-green Dragon has in common with the Snake a watery coiling aspect, it also shoots forth like lightning or lightning, or like a river bursting its banks. The golden Dragon has a different character, representing the centre, the concept of hierarchy and order, and also a balanced powerful shaking kind of movement reminiscent of the waves of power emanating out from an earthquake.
To this point I have the first 10 movements of the dragon Tai Chi form. They are drawn from the old Yang family middle-frame, and from the Chen family new and old frame, particularly the old-frame "Cannon Fist".
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