Intro Session this coming Sunday!!

This is the new year, "The Year of the Dragon," and it is a most auspicious time to begin training in a great martial art like Chen Tai Chi. This coming Sunday we will have our regular training session, AND welcome any newbies interested in trying out a session with us.

We will be at our new location:Just click on the link and read about it, and see a picture of the entrance way, so you won't get confused.

Here are the details of the intro class:
100 Hester St
try to be there by 9am sharp!!
please note that parking can be found if you get into the neighborhood by 8:30am, after that, parking can be difficult for those of you that drive.

Hope to see some of you there!!

Understanding What Places the Energy Should Go To

In my last class that I attended Shifu had us practicing some basics. Let me tell you, lol, basics with Shifu are unlike basics I've ever done anywhere else, lol. His basics usually are a combination of footwork, technique and body mechanic all designed to improve both our skill and understanding.

The pic above shows the completion of a given move. What is important is the emphasis that Shifu placed upon where there should be energy driven to. While the natural impulse is just to look at the final positions of the hands; Shifu also emphasized the need to have energy in the posterior aspect of the shoulder as well.

To me, these subtleties of energy and body shift/turning/spiralling, etc, are what truly define Kung Fu as a more sophisticated martial art than anything I have studied previously over a 40 year span of training. Chen Tai Chi is Real Kung Fu, as it is taught by Shifu.

Several students have asked me how I remember so much from the classes. I find it is helpful to write things down after class, and I spend considerable time trying to recall all I see in class.

Chinese New Year Resolutions?

Well, since I made a resolution about the Chen style broadsword training I decided I may as well try another fitness resolution. Last year was good, I achieved some things, and burned out in others. A friend gave me a set of his 10 minute trainer workouts. I found out about this system on Dr. Oz's tv show. I really do like the notion of a 10 minute exercise session, I mean, c'mon we all have at least 10 minutes a day, right?

When I go to class, I always feel a pressure to train as hard as I can. Shifu sets a high standard and demand out of all of us, and I think sometimes he feels I let him down when I fatigue after an hour or hour and a half. In the past, I know if he doesn't see folks practicing the new form, he will make us revert back to focusing on Lao Jia Yi Lu.

Now, don't get me wrong, I love Lao Jia Yi Lu, but it is fun to practice the new forms, too. Shifu worries that the new form maybe too much for us in class. He has stated that several times that I personally am aware of. As a result, I always feel pressure to improve my conditioning, my basics, and do more practice. I absolutely hate missing class, but sometimes, especially as I get older, my body just fails me. Sigh.

Anyway, that is why i'm going to try this 10 minute trainer thing.

Broadsword Practice

I've been sick this past weekend, but despite that I have made sure to practice and lately i've revived my broadsword training. One of the most challenging things I find about the broadsword form is how difficult some of the moves are. What makes a lot of the motions difficult are the stances and the twists and turns of the body used in maneuvering the sword about. Since this is the start of the Chinese New Year, i've decided that i'm going to practice this broadsword form a lot this year. I believe that practicing the broadsword at home will definitely help my strength training and balance for the empty hand Chen forms.

Knives and swords are some of my most favorite weapons, and I really hope that I will get comfortable doing this particular form with a wider variety of weapons and tools. When I tried to practice this form with one of my larger knives with a double edge, it was clear that these techniques do not work as well for two edges, unless the top edge is only sharpened for a few inches near the tip; otherwise, there is a high chance of personal risk to oneself.

LOL, please keep in mind, Shifu always tells me to only practice with my training weapons, but I like to train with real weapons as well as the trainers. I would agree with Shifu that training with a blunt sword/knife is best; but i'm a bit extreme in my own personal training. Your mileage should vary and should you choose to try live blade training, please keep in mind that is your own personal choice.

Really Interesting article...

Really Good and Interesting Article!

This article talks about one master's path to skill and I found it really great reading. Should give us some ideas into our own personal practice! hope you all enjoy.

Just click on the link above, it is an old article in Kung Fu magazine, I believe.

Fine Details

Back in the 90s, it was common to hear people say, "be like Mike..." meaning the great Michael Jordon. Me? I want to be like Shifu! Every class, every practice session he puts forth 110% in trying to make us all better students and practitioners of Chen tai chi. He never slacks off, and every time he demonstrates I am awed by how exact are his movements and his detailed explanations.

As always Shifu always says we are never doing anything for the sake of looking fancy, pretty or beautiful. Every motion and fine detail has a rationale that applies to application and fighting technique.

In the picture above, we stopped at this particular motion and spent time and analysis of why we need to have this motion and these details in our practice. It is way easy to gloss over this detail in the pursuit of spiralling and seeing a larger, grosser action; however, Shifu always wants us to understand as much as possible about what we are doing.

The best way to learn all we can is by dedicated attendance and practice. I remember speaking to one of my seniors, and he kept saying how "i know this, and I know that, Shifu taught it to me before..." I kept my mouth shut, but inside I was thinking..."heck, IF you know the detail and why you should do this or that, why doesn't your practice and performance of the form show it then????"

Keeping a fresh perspective and having a keen desire to absorb and grow will enable you to learn the proper way to practice Chen Tai Chi. Of course, it really helps when your teacher cares and is willing to devote himself to your understanding, too. Thank you, Shifu!

Roll Back to Split

If you are familiar with the Chen forms, it is clear to see that this picture is just a couple of seconds following the previous pic used. Shifu was explaining to us the difference in timing and energy of the given motion and application. At the earlier stages we have roll back which on its own can be effective. Very shortly after the roll back motion, it can translate into the splitting action (Lieh, I believe is the term.) It was very gratifying to see Shifu going over the details so finely. I'm proud of all my classmates as we are all clearly improving and growing steadily in the knowledge and skill that Shifu shares with us.

Back from the holidays!

Hi! My apologies to all! With Christmas and New Year's day falling on the past two Sundays, I unfortunately had little inspiration to write about. Today fortunately, I was able to get up and out early and made it to class.

The picture above is from Shifu doing Xin Jia. In an earlier post, I had mentioned that I was learning a new form. Incorrectly it turned out, I made a mistake and thought I was learning Lao Jia Er Lu, but today found out I was being taught Xin Jia Yi Lu.

One of the big differences in the opening sequence is shown above. In Lao Jia, the pressure we are exerting upon an incoming limb has a downward pressure applied to it. In Xin Jia, we were told today to think of an upward pressure on the limb.

Now obviously we all know and accept that depending upon how we wish to practice a given motion in Lao Jia, we can apply either upward OR downward pressure; however, if we practice in THIS manner thinking of one doing one thing primarily and the other thing application in yet another manner, then we are better able to classify and identify our meaning in our immediate practice.

Of course, lol, Shifu says ideally, we practice Lao Jia AND Xin Jia daily and do it seriously, too... but that is another topic.

Happy New Year everyone!! It's great to be back in class.
J