Monday

Stand or move?

Once the student is adept with taijiquan form, they can choose whether or not to continue with standing qigong.
Expert form practice essentially replaces standing qigong in terms of the health benefits.

Wednesday

Tai chi is not comprised of postures

When tai chi is shown in books or photographs, the conclusion of the movement is shown.
This is regarded as being a static 'posture' akin to a yoga posture e.g. warrior.

To see tai chi in this way is erroneous and will lead to a great misunderstanding of the art.
The only static posture encountered in a tai chi class is standing qigong (and this is not tai chi).

Tuesday

Qi is not some sort of 'fairy dust'...

Some tai chi instructors talk about qi all the time.
Qi is made to sound like 'fairy dust' - it can magically cure all ailments and impart amazing powers.
This is clearly not true.
In our experience, people who spend a lot of time talking about qi seldom have anything else to offer.
They struggle when asked to produce more concrete proof of ability.
No syllabus. No methodology. No depth of skill.

Saturday

Confusing tai chi and yoga

Tai chi first came to the widespread attention of Western students in the 1960's.
A popular Eastern discipline at that time was yoga.
People saw tai chi as being 'moving yoga' - an erroneous and woefully simplistic comparison.
To quote Bruce Frantzis:

How do yoga and tai chi compare?

Here is a very simple way to explain the difference: in tai chi, you relax to stretch; in yoga, you stretch to relax. Tai chi emphasizes stretching through sophisticated dynamic fluid motions rather than by holding static postures. Yoga tends to use more extreme stretches than tai chi and some postures lock the joints and arch the back, which never happens in tai chi. These poses can be difficult for those with back or joint problems.
(Bruce Frantzis)

Tuesday

You will begin to feel that your taijiquan practice goes beyond simple form training, and you will be able to perceive things as energetic combinations, rather than as static physical objects. Your training partners will appear to your senses as dynamic patterns of energy, rather than as clumsy physical bodies. When this happens, you can skilfully switch strategy and tactics in any situation.
 

 (Yang Jwing-Ming)

Monday

Tai chi and chi kung

People believe that the 'chi' in tai chi is the same chi as chi kung (qigong).
This is incorrect.
Tai chi refers to the yin/yang principle whereas the chi (qi) in chi kung is about qi energy.

Thursday

The quest for answers

The 'external' personality seeks answers outside of themselves. 
They go to exotic lengths in search of their idea of truth; visiting remote monasteries, undergoing retreats or travelling to far away lands. 

Yet, the Tao Te Ching says that you can find the truth without even leaving your room. 
This is 'internal'. 
Find the answers within
Perhaps you may even discover that their are no answers.
Questions are projections of the self and seeing the truth requires the individual to be rid of self.

Chinese New Year meal 2016