Chen Yu Vid Clip

Chen Yu Vid Clip

I found this video clip of Chen Yu. I really admire his performance. Hope you all enjoy. Please click on the link above, embedding was disabled.

Expressions of Power

Watched this vid clip with great interest. There is no question he expresses fajin very well and very strongly. Different than what we do. I believe he is truly skilled at what he does. I was impressed.

Chen Tai Chi and "Talking"

Many years ago, I studied with William CC Chen, his tai chi form. I chose him as an instructor because I respected his history as a teacher and promoter of Tai Chi as a fighting art. His explanations were based on biomechanics and he could demonstrate power, practicality and application. My current teacher, Master Yu Guo Shun, also is a great teacher and able to demonstrate practical application, and explains things in simple and concise terms. More importantly, he demystifies and demonstrates with ease and in such a way, that the student can apply motion from the form quickly with a minimum of fuss.

In over 30 years of personal study and examination into teaching media going over Tai Chi principles, one thing becomes abundantly clear, some people will just show and do, and other teachers will talk, and talk. In my own opinion, those people that talk and talk do so to confuse and misguide, as opposed to actually passing on anything of practical use. Why the need to say so much and show yet so little?

Shifu will always tell us, that every motion we need to have ward off. Hence, we understand that whatever motion we are doing, we need to be aware of how our elbow is positioned relative to our own bodies. Then Shifu will say something like, in this move, we can circle around an arm, or we are coming under an arm to do "this" or "that." Now the students have an understanding of what we are trying to do with a given motion. Compare that to a vid clip I was just looking at, where a fellow is describing a pivot point about the middle of the forearm, and how if the elbow goes down, the hand comes up... and that as the elbow moves inward, the energy goes out towards the fingertips... uh, okay....are you guys getting the picture?

Shifu is a very humble man and he truly wants all of his students to learn properly. I say, don't be fooled by a big name or someone who just talks a lot. Instead find a teacher that will spend his time TEACHING, instead of passing on some nonsense.

I do believe there are some amazing practitioners out there, but I seriously wonder how many of them really are about passing on the art, or are they dangling something in front of an audience to make them feel they need to pay and pay and pay, and not understand what they are receiving.

I think i'm in love...

This competitor is Fan Yun, unfortunately i'm wayyyy too old for her, but she has me infatuated, lol. On a serious note, it's not Chen but it is tai chi, so you'll all allow me a brief moment of going 'outside' the usual topic here... hope you all enjoy.
This set brought tears to my eyes! I'm a fan!

Jian in Competition

This clip is of my senior and friend, Andres. He is competing here with a sword form modified for exhibition and tournament. IMO, he looks terrific here. Andres is a great example of Shifu's teaching.

Our Thursday and Sunday Training Location

The picture above shows the address and entrance to where we are having class on Sunday morning and Thursday evening. I like the location a lot! The areas we train in are well-lit, it's warm and there is space to move. It was my first class back after several weeks and it was truly wonderful to see my friends and Shifu again.
More later!

Interesting Vid Clip

I enjoyed this clip. I don't agree necessarily with all that was stated here, but I do like the focus on martial application. I also was very curious about the form shown at the end.

Here in NYC, we are so fortunate to have Shifu (Master Yu Guo Shun) teaching us, because of his skill level, his desire to pass onto us skill and ability, and his emphasis on martial application. I personally feel that Shifu makes it unneccesary for me personally, to travel to china in search of Chen Taiji.

Cutting with A Broadsword

This is an example of cutting with a chinese broadsword. I think it is a neat thing that all students who train with weapons should do eventually.

The Many Talents of Shifu - Yu Guo Shun

Here is a new vid clip of Shifu performing Tai Chi praying mantis.
Shifu is available to teach this art as well as Chen Tai Chi.

Wu Jing - Tai Chi Master Movie

Even though I have trained in martial arts for quite a few decades, it is always fun to find a neat kung-fu movie that wakes up the imagination and can inspire us to train harder, whether in class or outside class.

The clip above is from a movie that is difficult to find here in the US. But it is clearly one of my favorite ones that represent Tai Chi in a good way.



The main actor is Wu Jing. Sometimes he is also known as Jacky Wu. If you find this movie, it's a captivating couple of hours in my opinion!

Cloud Water

This is one of my favorite video clips of Shifu. I absolutely love the song that accompanies the clip. It is called, "Cloud Water."

Our Sunday Training Location Has Changed

Our new location for training on Sundays. Same time, different spot.
Same awesome training by Master Yu Guo Shun! Will update after Sunday's sessions with a better pic of the location! Hope to see you all there Sunday! We will be at:
M.S. 131. The address is: 100 Hester Street.