Application

Shifu was explaining in class that obviously when we practice many of the movements in the form are done slowly. This is to learn how to coordinate the motion, with the proper weight shift, body turning, hand and leg positioning and breathing, and coordinating chi and intention.

In application however, we must move quickly and strongly relative to a given attack by an opponent.

The movement pictured above is one that we worked on in class Sunday.

Shifu will often be heard to say, "hips down, then turn the waist and spiral down." He then proceeded to show us about 5 different meanings and possible interpretations of the movement all the while, following his instructions to "make sure the hips are down, then spiral down." The result was very obviously devastating on the students that he was demonstrating on.

Although the movement in the form does not appear particularly dynamic, the application was very much so. I will NOT forget at least one of the movements shown by Shifu.

Shifu is very deliberate and careful in how he presents things to us, and we, his students are the beneficiaries of his teaching and generosity. I truly am grateful that I found Shifu as my teacher of Chen Tai Chi.
J