Conference bookie::arts

    My elderly mum has expressed interest in purchasing a Tai Chi
    video to help her get some more movement into her daily routine.
    Does anyone have any suggestions for a good video?
    
    The only one I know of was made by David Carradine. On the one hand 
    I think he's a wanker, but on the other hand, it does seem like a 
    great idea and am surprised other practitioners haven't made similar 
    videos. I haven't seen his but guess that he is not imparting technical
    information but rather just leading people through slow movements,
    which is still a "good thing".
    
    Neil
    

    re. -1
    
    Hi Neil,
    
    I've got some videos which might be suitable, the only problem is, they
    are in the wrong format (PAL) :^(
    
    The Carradine video is really awful but maybe just to swing arms slowly
    around...  Well, if you get it, tell her to practise in secret :^)
    There are quite a number of Tai Chi videos out there; due to the
    different recording formats, I don't know what's what in USA.  Best
    would be to call some Tai Chi school and ask them.
    
    If she can get to a class somewhere, she would be far better off. The
    main benefit is not really the movement but the attention she would
    have to pay to her posture and how to do the movements correctly.
    Learning from a video means she would just do some movements - now I am
    not a purist, if that's what she wants to do, good for her.  But then I
    think it would be better if you devise few short routines which would
    exercise her joints, muscles, tendons, etc, in a gentle manner and teach
    her these.
    
    In fact why not teach her some exercises from your system - there must be
    good body mechanics there - and just let her do it softly but insist on it
    being done correctly.  After you polish it, with her help, you can
    start marketing it as the next new wave.  Send me 20%!
    
    Karel.

    
    I agree completely with Karel.  There is no magic toi taichi and poor
    alignment of the joints can cause more problems than the exercise might
    bring.  I often help to teach taichi at the school I attend and have
    often corrected alignments which would have resulted in trouble further
    down the road.  Whatever you study can be turned into a similar exercise.
    
    	Take your first kata and really break it down into well balanced
    postures, move very deliberately, emphasizing how each part of your
    body is supposed to move from A to B, getting to B is incidental.  Make
    it into a smooth flowing exercise - this is not taichi, but since you
    know it well you will see anything that looks wrong or misaligned.
    
    	Actually this is a great way of examining any kata and finding out
    what else is going on in it apart from the obvious punches but that's
    another story.
    
    	Also if you have a local PBS station it might well have a 30min
    show on tai chi every day.  But it does not show proper alignment and
    often some of the people are badly misaligned.  Still it is cheaper
    than a video....
    
    		good luck,
    				Colin..
    

What I know is not for mum, cause it's not for me anymore either.
    
I only learned kata from "hard" styles, and these days when I feel 
the urge to move around, run through them in my back yard at night. 
But though still pretty good at them, find them somewhat insipid (!) 
and unsatisfying. 

The kata I know share the characteristics of abrupt shifts in tempo, 
power, and stance. Sudden dropping into ( and less sudden getting out
of :-) ) the deep shiko-dachi stance for example.
                        
I have tried slowing them down to focus on more exact body control.
This has not been satisfying either though, perhaps because they
weren't designed for that. I realize any kata can benefit from slowing
down, but it doesn't feel right. Maybe they are just too short, or the
stances too extreme.  

Put another way, they feel mechanical and sequential, as opposed to 
"flowing". Which is maybe what I'm aiming for when the urge to move 
around in the back yard happens. 

I have been lifting weights a bit lately and enjoy the efficiency of it.
Maybe my interest in flowing, as opposed to herky-jerky movement is a 
natural balance to the resistance training. 

Neil

    
    Neil,
    
    Last night I was at the Brookline Tai Chi center and there was a note
    on the wall saying that one of their classes would be aired tonight
    on WGBH (2 or 44, I can't remember which one). If you read this note
    in time you might alert her to watch it, if she has the chance. It
    is supposed to be on from 10:00 to 11:00 PM, during a fund raising
    segment. If your mum lives close to Boston she might want to
    make a trip there to check out a live class. When I was there last
    night there were people of all kinds of shapes and ages participating.
    
    If you want or need a class schedule I can get one for you. No, I
    don't take classes there or am advertising it as better than
    anywhere else. I was there to pick up a friend who was taking a
    Thsing I class (spelling is wrong).
    
    					/j
    

    Thanks I'll try and tape the show tonight. If she doesn't use
    it maybe I will.  
    
    Mum's in great shape for an eighty-five year old but doesn't 
    like to battle the Boston traffic or go out much after dark.  
    :-)

    
    I watched the show, not much substance. I'm sorry that I suggested it.
    
    					/j
    

    I watched for it, but all I saw was Deepak Chopra and John Tesh.
    So though I didn't learn anything about tai chi, I am going to live
    forever now so don't care anymore. :-)
    

    Neil,
    
    it looks like you might be a good candidate for defection to the 'internal'
    camp :^).
    
    Let me know if you need any encouragement :^))))
    
    Karel.

    
    Karel,
    
    Last spring I took an internal seminar with Don (Can't remember his
    name) U.S. push hands Champion. The seminar was focused on grounding,
    feeling the opponents moves and tense-ness. While I was very impressed 
    (as anyone would be with his fighting skills) he did make one point 
    which I'll never forget. Internal strength was great for unamrmed 
    combat, but no so good when fighting someone with a weapon where 
    agility and speed (i.e. running) is most important ;-). Actually I'm 
    lucky enough to study a style which uses internal, external and 
    weapons. So much to learn and only 50 mores years to do it...
    
    					/jack
    
    P.S. The TAI Chi on the program was only done as a background prop
         with no real explainations, for soliciting contributions to GBH.
         
    P.P.S. I couldn't believe swami Deepak Chopra was using a manuscript
           written about the nights of the roundtable and justification
    	   for a philosophy on Merlin and the crsytal cave. 
    
    
    

    Jack,
    
    >he did make one point 
    >which I'll never forget. Internal strength was great for unamrmed 
    >combat, but no so good when fighting someone with a weapon where 
    >agility and speed (i.e. running) is most important ;-)
    
    Unarmed combat - that reminds me of a story about Chen Fake (I think) who
    was required to defend himself against a guard who was armed with a sabre
    whilst Chen was truly unarmed :^) - i.e. he had his arms tied behind his
    back!  	(an aside for Taiji-deprived people: Chen Fake was the greatest
    		 Chen-style Taiji master this century)
    I wasn't there but it sure sounds cool :^)
    
    >Actually I'm 
    >lucky enough to study a style which uses internal, external and 
    >weapons. So much to learn and only 50 mores years to do it...
    
    What style do you do? (and are you really 70 years old?)
    
    Karel.

    
    Karel,
    
    The style I study is "Wah Lum Tam Tui Northen Praying Mantis". It's
    a combination of our system's inventor "Lee Kwan Shan's" family
    style "Tam Tui = seeking legs and the Northen Praying mantis style
    taught at the monestary at Wah Lum in China. Unlike the good natured
    monk shown in the kung fu series (some myths get broken), our Fourth
    generation grand master (Lee Kwan Shawn) had to move to Vietnam 
    for a period of time because he killed so many people in China that 
    there was a price on his head. So I guess I'm learning a style that
    really works ;-).
    
    There's a note here on the styles founder and current grandmaster, but
    I forget its number.
    
    Nah, I'm not seventy yet, but 50 more years of study will make me
    95. Then I'll probably just do internal studies until I'm 120 ;-).
    
    					/j
    
    
    				

    Jack,
    
    when you reach my age, you'll abandon these extremely hard styles :^).  
    
>generation grand master (Lee Kwan Shawn) had to move to Vietnam 
>for a period of time because he killed so many people in China that 
>there was a price on his head. So I guess I'm learning a style that
>really works ;-).
    
    Our fourth generation grandmaster went to the Gobi state once and was
    somewhat annoyed by one of the locals.
    
    Karel "It is the Gobi desert now"

    
    Those Gobi's, what a fun people they used to be. Its to bad your
    forth generation master didn't leave any the gobi's alive so they
    could have warned the Saharin people who must have met the same
    feet, er feat, er fate ;-).
    
    Actually I did switch, went from boxing, to karate and then kung
    fu. Maybe the next logical progression will be to an all soft
    style, i.e. contact pillow fighting.
    
    Actually I'm only in this to improve my golf game. No it hasn't done
    that yet, but I'm now able to relate to nature more when I trudge though
    the ponds and wildernesses looking for my errant balls. I do make good
    use of my time in the woods seeking that killer butterfly to start my 
    own kung fu style.
    
    					/j
    

    
    Karel,
    
    Last night I tried/participated in a Hsing I class to see if I'd like
    it. I read what you wrote (note 219) a while ago, in the 80's and
    it now makes more sense to me. I've been doing the standing postures
    for a couple of years, part of my Kung Fu training, so I may sign
    up if nothing more than to become a little more learned about another
    style. From what I read last night from a book written by Bruce "kumar"
    Frantzis (sp) Hsing I was partially influnenced by buddhist/shaolin
    practices, whereas Ba Gua (considered a higher level) was/is strictly 
    a Taoist form.
    
    On another subject, have you read or know about Mr. Frantzis? He's 
    offering an internals/meditation seminar in Boston in mid-May and I
    am debating with my friend who studies Tai Chi and Hsing I if we
    should sign up, but its over Mother's day weekend so I'll probably
    have another more important commitment.
    
    				/jack
    

    Jack,
    
    >I read what you wrote (note 219) a while ago, in the 80's and
    
    Sounds so long ago :^) - I must have a look sometime what I wrote then!
    
    I don't know about the standing postures you've been doing - in Kung Fu
    the main emphasis is probably on strengthening the body; in Xingyi
    (Hsing I) it is first establishing and then strengthening the
    'connection' of the body - so the stances are likely to be higher (of
    course, you can hold them much longer, if you wish :^) ).
    
    >From what I read last night from a book written by Bruce "kumar"
    >Frantzis (sp) Hsing I was partially influnenced by buddhist/shaolin
    >practices, whereas Ba Gua (considered a higher level) was/is strictly 
    >a Taoist form.
    
    BKF has this thing about 'pure' Taoist and pariah pracices.  I would
    ignore it.
    
    >On another subject, have you read or know about Mr. Frantzis? He's 
    >offering an internals/meditation seminar in Boston in mid-May and I
    >am debating with my friend who studies Tai Chi and Hsing I if we
    >should sign up, 
    
    Yes, I've met him several times.  On the one hand there is a mixture of
    self-importance, aggression, a need to be seen as a 'master', ...
    On the other hand he clearly worked hard on what he's doing.  I was
    particularly impressed by his Bagua (but I should add I knew very little
    Bagua and Xingyi in those days).  I went to several of his seminars,
    but the combination of his character combined with the fact that he seems
    to teach more about less each year turned me off.  Nowadays I wouldn't
    go unless he paid me :^)
    
    I would recommend seeing him once though, he's quite a character (but be
    ready to take what he says with a large dose of salt).  If you do go,
    say hello from me - in the 80's (again!) in London I had some disagreements
    with him about his ability (he might remember that :^) ) - but don't
    remind him of that - or not at first, anyway! - it might put him in an
    aggressive/defensive frame of mind - and he might then chose you to
    demonstrate some deadly Taoist technique during the class :^).  Though
    if it's a meditation class, you might be safe. 
    
    Karel.

    
    Karel,
    
    Thanks for the input. I had the same feeling about BKF from reading
    his biography in his opening the energy gates book. I'm so used to
    seeing other "Real Grand Masters" who really are humble and have
    delightful personalities.
    
    As part of my studies standing post is not a kung fu strength exercise,
    but an energy absorbing, mind freeing exercising. Sort of like the
    Chinese expression "if you want to become enlightened chop wood or
    carry water". At the end of class last night we practiced "prenatal
    breathing" if you've heard that term before. Of course that was after
    spending a good part of the night walking like a duck and jumping like
    frogs, continous sweeps and floor drills. These get in shape drills are 
    always a precursor to a testing period coming in May.
    
    When I get a chance I'll look up Chen Xiao Wang. Does he teach
    somewhere in the states or give seminars in the Boston Area.
    
    Well enough rambling for now and back to real work.
    
    					/jack
     
    
    

    Jack,
    
    >I'm so used to
    >seeing other "Real Grand Masters" who really are humble and have
    >delightful personalities.
    
    Well, in that case you'll want me to come and give you a seminar. Send
    some presents and lots of cash to put me in an amicable mood.
    
    
    Chen Xiao Wang lives in Australia now but I think he's becoming a
    regular visitor on a seminar circuit in States.  I think New York and
    then perhaps somewhere more west (Colorado?).  The problem is, he's
    *very* good, subsequently he's getting a bit more pricey now and also
    they seem to pack them in (last time in NY they had 80 people; you
    can't do very much with that number of people in a seminar :^( ).
    
    There are other very good people:-
    Zhan Xuexin (about 70 - in California now; Fen Zhiqiang's student)
    Ren Yin...? (about 30? - in NY, I think; student of CXW)
    Feng Zhiqiang (about 70 - in China but occasionally comes to USA
    		  not as polished as CXW but he may have even more power)
    
    Let's not forget Mike Sigman. He's not one of the immortals yet but he
    can communicate the basics of internal power very well (I think his
    seminars are $125/weekend).  If you are just getting into internal
    styles, one of his seminars may well save you a lot of time in the long
    run.  You can also walk away with a good range of exercises to work
    with.  His seminars are not advertised, I could let you have his e-mail
    address if you were interested.
    
    
    'Prenatal breathing' - I've heard the term.  How did you do it?
    Straight lifting of the diaphragm on inhale or breathe up the back,
    down the front, or something else?  What was the reason for the
    practice?
    
    Karel.

    
    Karel,
    
    Okay....I'm ready for your seminar. I was going to get you a porche for
    a present, but knowing you're and internalist, that what be to
    ostentatious a gift. After all, showy wouldn't be your style ;-).
    
    Thanks for the tips on who to look for in seminars.
    
    The "pre-natal" breathing we practiced was done on your back with your
    (well to complicated to explain anyway). It's used to utilize the
    lower depth of your lungs by gently expanding and contracting your
    lower abdomen. As you know this all gets a little esoteric, but
    as explained to my class. It can be a way of controlling emotions
    differently, i.e. IF your "mad" breathing this way will give you a
    different presective of the feelings, i.e. you'll still be mad but
    you'll be able to look at things different. The breathing is not a
    hard, try and fill you lungs thing, but you try to get the rythm and 
    softness you encounter when you first come out of sleep. There was a 
    technical description regarding an unborn baby not being able to use 
    their fluid filled lungs, instead they used these muscles to get their 
    oxygen supply from the mothers. I originally just asked because this was
    my first experience with the technique.
    
    					/jack
    

    
    Okay, I'm officially dipping my toes into the internal Arts by signing
    up for a class on the Yang Style Long form. No this doesn't mean I'm
    giving up on my Kung Fu Mantis and going internal only, I've now too
    far in arrears because of the money I've spent on Weapons. Let's
    see now I've a staff (closet Pole from Home Depot) A short metal
    bar, (flute emulator), a broad sword, A tiger fork and and a double
    edged sword on the way. Let's see there are 18 traditional Kung Fu
    weapons, nine short and nine long, so I only need 13 more and a
    new room on the house to store'em ;-).
    
    Anyway I digress again. It'll be interesting to see how the two styles
    interact and how my body reacts to doing both.
    
    					/j
    
    P.S. Karel, thanks for the notes and encouragement.
    

    
    	Excellent move.  If you take just the details of proper body 
    alignments as required in Tai chi I will wager that your other arts
    will begin to feel different.  Hopefully, smoother and requiring 
    less effort.
    
    	I have been training in Tai chi for about seven years and recently
    started on karate (again).  It is amazing how well the two complement
    each other.  
    
    	Enjoy,
    		Colin..
      

    re .165
    
    Congratulations, Jack.  With only three weapons, you'll find Yang Taiji
    much easier on the pocket (and room in the house)!
    
    re .166
    
    Colin, practising Taiji and Karate will definitely improve Karate. But
    it will likely destroy your Taiji.
    
    Karel.

    Hi Karel,
    
    Actually the taiji is dominating my karate.  Some years ago I injured
    my neck playing rugby (shortly after I met with you in Reading, I had
    so much fun back in the UK that I tried to play here, but the team was
    many levels above me!) and so I cannot use much brute strength that
    actually assisted my tai chi greatly.  Now that I am practising
    Isshinryu as well as Taiji and Bagua I naturally keep the taiji form
    for all my moves.  My punching is more like that in chen style ie. not
    good "karate" punches.  Probably someone watching my karate will think
    that it is sloppy - but one thing training with Ron (You know Ron
    Matthews I think?) - what you do does have to work!
    
    I would agree that the difference between internal and external arts
    makes it very hard to learn both together.  But, if you look at very
    skillful karateka they become internal whether they know it or intend
    to.  I try very hard not to sparate my practise of the different arts
    in one sense; posture, body mechanics and energy work is common to
    everything.  My intent during a specific session will be different
    though.  For example when I am learning a new kata I break it down as
    if it were taiji.  This shows up much more of what was intended in the
    kata, prevents balistic moves, (in the sense of being off balance or 
    over committed) and helps me absorb the pattern of movement.
    
    All this said it is probably the fact hat I need to hold my own with
    people half my age and both fitter and stronger than me that keeps my
    taiji in focus!  It is those skills which give me an edge.
    
    	Cheers,  I'm off to dig out from 25" of snow which the road plows
    have kindly piled up tp 4ft across the driveway!
    
    		Colin..
    

    
    Karel,
    
    What are the three tai chi weapons? I know the Gim (sp?) double edged
    sword is one, but I'm unaware of the others. 
    
    				/jack
    

    Hi Jack,
    
    well, when I said three, I was thinking of yang style (and possibly Wu
    style), Chen style has 18(?) weapons!
    
    The three Yang style weapons are Jien - double edgen sword, Dao -
    single edged sword (or 'knife') and Jiang (or ist it Chiang?) - spear.
    
    I suppose Gim is cantonese for Jien?
    
    Karel.