Diǎnxué (點穴, sometimes called Dianmai or even Dim Mak) is known as pressing or sealing the cavity and it is one of the most misunderstood techniques of Chinese martial arts. Most students of Chinese martial arts don’t bother memorizing cavities for striking for innumerable reasons. Knowledgeable teachers are hard to come by, the instruction is … [Read more…]
If you train Tàijíquán (太極拳) as a martial art, you will, at some point, come across Tui Shou (推手). Also known as Pushing Hands, (Pushands, Push Hands), this type of training is an incremental step in the direction of Tàijí sparring. This training usually progresses from fixed-step training drills, to fixed-step pushing, to moving step … [Read more…]
One of the most interesting concepts in Chinese martial arts is the theory of tī dǎ shuāi ná (踢打摔拿). Tàijíquán (太極拳) teachers often overlook this and many times it is only taught by traditional Gōngfu (Kung fu or 功夫) instructors. Few Tàijíquán practitioners have heard this, and fewer still know the true depth of meaning … [Read more…]
In one of his continuing education seminars, Bob Flaws (acupuncturist, Chinese herbalist, author, and expert in Traditional Chinese Medicine) said, “Mastery of anything is simply mastery of the basics.” It is an extremely accurate statement, and very simple. In many ways, this statement is like watching an expert practice Tàijíquán. The movements appear slow and … [Read more…]
I intend to continue in this article to present the Tai Chi Farm exercises which have been explained in a series format in my previous articles. While writing about the exercises, I almost neglected one important aspect. They are not to be practiced as an end, but as a tool. This tool is seen as … [Read more…]
On November 20th 2011, when Master Yang finished his first seminar in Mendoza, Argentina, he told us, “Tai Chi is like a thread that brings us together”. Beyond time and space, without borders, the experience of sharing our love for this martial art with friends from different countries of this South American continent is unique. … [Read more…]
Taijiquan is practiced both as a self-cultivation and health technique, as well as a martial art. Quite often this results in the discussion of its purpose.
Going to China was a dream come true for me. We always use that expression to say that something really great has happened. But I’m not using it that way. I’m really saying it was a dream come true! For two reasons: finally to be able to meet Grandmaster Yang Zhenduo and to share this … [Read more…]
He was an amazing man to say the least. With a calming presence had always started the class by reminding us of the 5 principles that should be remembered.
The eight gates (bamen) are peng, lü, ji, an, cai, lie, zhou and kao. Dealing with them in theory and practice quickly brings up the following question: Are they techniques to overcome an opponent, or are they general principles of movement? These two views seem contradictory, but they can be blended to one, as the … [Read more…]