Counter-Point Neutralizing In T’ai Chi Sparring
There are points on the body that can be touched, pressed, or hooked to briefly neutralize the power and leverage of such an attack. Counterpoints are unusual because they involve much less effort
Training
Training with Mindfulness
Whenever I practice with students who are just starting their journey into tai chi, they are shocked when I refer to the martial arts history of tai chi.
What Makes Successful Tai Chi Students And Teachers?
As a former educator and a lifelong student and teacher, I have often reflected upon what makes successful teachers and students.
Uniting Yin And Yang In Taijiquan
In Taijiquan (太極拳) the concept of harmonizing yin (阴) and yang (阳) is commonly given in dualistic statements like having neither excess nor deficiency. But avoiding excess (yang) and deficiency (yin) means that one needs to be where yin and yang meet/unite.
Go Slow To Go Fast—And More: A Rationale For Slow T’ai Chi Practice
The popular misconception about t’ai chi is that it is just a slow motion dance, and many people are surprised that it is also a highly skilled martial art.
Grasp the Sparrow’s Tail (And Look At It)
Grasp Bird’s Tail (GBT, lan que wei, 攬雀尾) is the best example of how the Fu Family (傅家) developed their family style and systemized the teachings.
Differentiating Yin From Yang in Taijiquan
Some practitioners view yin and Yang, as two sides of the same coin,
and this can seem like an appropriate analogy for yin and yang united as one whole.
Taijiquan And The Parasympathetic Nervous System
Taijiquan emphasizes calmness, relaxation, reduced anxiety and stress, and other traits that are characteristic of parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS) control
The Tai Chi Journey
Many people have described learning tai chi as ‘a journey’. New students discover that tai chi is far much more than simply ‘waving arms through the air’
Attention Vs. Attenuation in Taijiquan
Taijiquan practitioners know the importance of paying attention, but may not realize that it is natural and normal to attenuate or “tune out” various signals.