Master Waller actively dissuades any student from becoming a lineage student.
The obligation is not for the half-hearted.
Walking in your instructor's shoes may prove to be vastly more demanding than a student has anticipated.
Thursday
Wednesday
Chinese New Year meal 2013 @ Wagamama
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| Andy, Matthew |
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| Michael, Paul, Aaron |
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| Rachel |
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| Joel |
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| Richard, Tishy, Martin |
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| Michael, Paul, Aaron |
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| Joel, Andy |
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| Andy |
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| Michael, Paul, Aaron, Dave, John, Brian |
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| Richard, Tishy, Martin |
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| Master Waller & Rachel Waller |
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| Richard, Tishy, Martin |
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Broadsword form
The sabre form is about large sweeping, circular movements.
This may be considered a moderately short form.
It has a limited variety of postures and a number of repeated patterns.
The stepping is quite straightforward.
Coordinating the hands and feet, and not reaching represent the first challenge.
Any broadsword is suitable for this form, but the Yang-style sabre is the weapon of choice.
This may be considered a moderately short form.
It has a limited variety of postures and a number of repeated patterns.
The stepping is quite straightforward.
Coordinating the hands and feet, and not reaching represent the first challenge.
Any broadsword is suitable for this form, but the Yang-style sabre is the weapon of choice.
Monday
2-person cane form/drill
This is a short 2-person set of high intensity.
The furious vigour of the drill will tax the nervous system.
It requires a significant degree of composure and a sharp, clear mind; focussed on the here and now.
The cane must be navel height.
The drill must be trained A and B side, and mirrored.
The furious vigour of the drill will tax the nervous system.
It requires a significant degree of composure and a sharp, clear mind; focussed on the here and now.
The cane must be navel height.
The drill must be trained A and B side, and mirrored.
Sunday
Taijiquan students study
• Supreme ultimate fist (taijiquan, tai chi chuan,
tai chi as a martial art)
• 8 trigrams palm (baguazhang)
• Form
• Weaponry
• Stretching
• Self defence
• Partner work
• Seizing (chin na)
• Philosophy
• Internal power (jing)
• Energy work (qigong)
• Strength-building exercises
• Whole-body strength (neigong)
• Grappling (shuai jiao & pushing hands)
• 8 trigrams palm (baguazhang)
• Form
• Weaponry
• Stretching
• Self defence
• Partner work
• Seizing (chin na)
• Philosophy
• Internal power (jing)
• Energy work (qigong)
• Strength-building exercises
• Whole-body strength (neigong)
• Grappling (shuai jiao & pushing hands)
Everyday life
Half-heartedness and holding-back from things will perpetuate
self-consciousness.
Instead of diving-in, a person may often remain a spectator.
Instead of diving-in, a person may often remain a spectator.
A monk asked Master Haryo, "What is the
way?"
Haryo said, "An open-eyed man falling into the well."
Haryo said, "An open-eyed man falling into the well."
(Koan)
This moment is happening - right here and now - whether we surrender to it or
not.
Seeking to remain on the periphery is an illusion; it is not achievable in reality.
You cannot be a bystander in your own life.
Tai chi chuan and baguazhang teach the student to become aware of the moment, to yield to its flow... and to lose their stubborn, conflictive self.
This process is difficult (for there are many obstacles) and may take quite a while to achieve.
But it is worth it, and will dramatically affect your quality of life.
Seeking to remain on the periphery is an illusion; it is not achievable in reality.
You cannot be a bystander in your own life.
Tai chi chuan and baguazhang teach the student to become aware of the moment, to yield to its flow... and to lose their stubborn, conflictive self.
This process is difficult (for there are many obstacles) and may take quite a while to achieve.
But it is worth it, and will dramatically affect your quality of life.
Saturday
Tai chi exercise attendance
Classes focus upon
flexibility, suppleness, relaxation, mobility,
strength building and boosting energy.
Students are taught a physically and mentally challenging curriculum, but no self defence at all.
Partner work is limited.
Lessons cost £7.50 per class.
Students are taught a physically and mentally challenging curriculum, but no self defence at all.
Partner work is limited.
Lessons cost £7.50 per class.
How many people train their internal art correctly?
Although tai chi is widely practiced and popular, not many students are learning
tai chi chuan: the martial art.
Most students are training tai chi for health, or as a performance art.
Very few people are engaged in learning the internal arts properly.
Some combat tai chi people externalise the art in order to make it easier to learn.
But this does not succeed.
Instead, it creates a new art: an external hybrid based upon the idea of tai chi.
Training an internal art correctly - using the principles of the art fully and faithfully - is relatively rare these days.
It requires a lot of hard work, exploration, study, patience and practice.
Most students are training tai chi for health, or as a performance art.
Very few people are engaged in learning the internal arts properly.
Some combat tai chi people externalise the art in order to make it easier to learn.
But this does not succeed.
Instead, it creates a new art: an external hybrid based upon the idea of tai chi.
Training an internal art correctly - using the principles of the art fully and faithfully - is relatively rare these days.
It requires a lot of hard work, exploration, study, patience and practice.
Friday
Design aesthetic for Newcastle Tai Chi website
http://www.newcastletaichi.co.uk/
The black home page switching to the white (or cream) internal pages reflects the yin/yang aesthetic.
Black to white.
Darkness to light.
Ignorance to knowledge.
Yin is black, mysterious, hidden, secret, arcane, esoteric.
Yang is white, revealed, explained.
The new student - on approaching our class/website - is approaching the mystery from a position of ignorance and confusion.
Entering the site begins the journey to understanding.
How many people exercise?
Consider all
the people you know.
Do many of them exercise?
Of all the people in the world, how many actually exercise?
Humans are pretty lazy and the invention of cars, televisions and computers have made things far worse.
Do many of them exercise?
Of all the people in the world, how many actually exercise?
Humans are pretty lazy and the invention of cars, televisions and computers have made things far worse.
New starters @ £7.50
If you want to try the class, there is no need to e-mail in advance.
Just come along.
We welcome adults of all ages.
Prior experience is not expected. New starters are treated as beginners.
Just come along.
We welcome adults of all ages.
Prior experience is not expected. New starters are treated as beginners.
Thursday
Peter Southwood's tips #20 Gifts
Chinese culture is very fond of gift-giving.
Show respect by giving small tokens of appreciation.
But not for the sake of it.
Show respect by giving small tokens of appreciation.
But not for the sake of it.
Wednesday
Straight sword form
The last form in the syllabus is a very difficult one to learn and will require an extensive commitment to practice.
This is a long, demanding form.
Performing the set accurately will be challenging enough.
Understanding how to manipulate the sword (jian) in combat is another area of study in its own right.
The main initial difficulty is the sheer weight of the weapon.
Its weight can range between 1-3lbs and will tax anyone who uses even a scrap of tension.
A student should start with a wooden sword (waster), then move onto wushu weight and eventually a real sword.
We do not recommend training with a sharp blade but it is an option if the instructor is seeking authenticity.
This type of sword is known as a 'tai chi' sword and is the trademark weapon of tai chi chuan.
True skill requires a massive foundation of knowledge, physical experience and dedication, so we only teach the straight sword form to indoor students.
This is a long, demanding form.
Performing the set accurately will be challenging enough.
Understanding how to manipulate the sword (jian) in combat is another area of study in its own right.
The main initial difficulty is the sheer weight of the weapon.
Its weight can range between 1-3lbs and will tax anyone who uses even a scrap of tension.
A student should start with a wooden sword (waster), then move onto wushu weight and eventually a real sword.
We do not recommend training with a sharp blade but it is an option if the instructor is seeking authenticity.
This type of sword is known as a 'tai chi' sword and is the trademark weapon of tai chi chuan.
True skill requires a massive foundation of knowledge, physical experience and dedication, so we only teach the straight sword form to indoor students.
Induction course
New students undertake a 4 week induction course with a view to
joining the school
on the 4th lesson:
• £25
• 4 consecutive classes
• Learn new skills every week
• Receive corrections, tips & pointers
• One-to-one assessment throughout the course
Students can undertake the induction course any time throughout the year.
At the end of the course the student is halfway through passing their first belt.
• £25
• 4 consecutive classes
• Learn new skills every week
• Receive corrections, tips & pointers
• One-to-one assessment throughout the course
Students can undertake the induction course any time throughout the year.
At the end of the course the student is halfway through passing their first belt.
Tuesday
Can’t be bothered?
People access the website but can’t be bothered to even read the ‘classes’
page.
They claim to have read the site but ask questions that are already answered. Invariably, they send an e-mail or phone up to ask the questions again...
What do they really want? To sound us out? To be persuaded to do tai chi chuan? Who knows?
Tai chi chuan requires a lot of patience and work. If a person cannot be bothered to read a page of text, this is not an auspicious beginning.
They claim to have read the site but ask questions that are already answered. Invariably, they send an e-mail or phone up to ask the questions again...
What do they really want? To sound us out? To be persuaded to do tai chi chuan? Who knows?
Tai chi chuan requires a lot of patience and work. If a person cannot be bothered to read a page of text, this is not an auspicious beginning.
New starters @ £7.50
If you want to try the class, there is no need to e-mail in advance.
Just come along.
We welcome adults of all ages.
Prior experience is not expected. New starters are treated as beginners.
Just come along.
We welcome adults of all ages.
Prior experience is not expected. New starters are treated as beginners.
Monday
Our classes
We offer a stress-free, friendly learning environment.
Students feel welcome, safe, relaxed and comfortable.
There is no pressure, no expectations, no urgency, no competition, no rivalry, no ill-feeling.
Everyone proceeds at their own pace.
With time and patience, the body and the emotions begin to lose their fear.
People unfold and relax.
Students feel welcome, safe, relaxed and comfortable.
There is no pressure, no expectations, no urgency, no competition, no rivalry, no ill-feeling.
Everyone proceeds at their own pace.
With time and patience, the body and the emotions begin to lose their fear.
People unfold and relax.
Uncommon
If you are studying tai chi properly, then you are not the average member of the
public.
You have chosen to learn one of the more challenging martial arts.
This is not what most people do with their time.
Your curiosity had led you on a journey that is not for everyone.
It requires a steady commitment, patience, enthusiasm, money and time.
In order to make progress you will have to make choices, face doubts and be criticised by your peers.
You have chosen to learn one of the more challenging martial arts.
This is not what most people do with their time.
Your curiosity had led you on a journey that is not for everyone.
It requires a steady commitment, patience, enthusiasm, money and time.
In order to make progress you will have to make choices, face doubts and be criticised by your peers.
Sunday
Joke
Which reminds me of a corny joke about the Buddhist who walked up to the hot
dog vendor and said, "Make me one with everything."
The hot dog vendor gave him his food and requested payment. The Buddhist had only a $5 bill, so after giving it to the vendor he asked for change.
The vendor replied, "Change comes from within."
(Sue Heavenrich)
The hot dog vendor gave him his food and requested payment. The Buddhist had only a $5 bill, so after giving it to the vendor he asked for change.
The vendor replied, "Change comes from within."
(Sue Heavenrich)
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