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.
Monday
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).
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'...
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.
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:
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)
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)
Wednesday
Confusing tai chi and qigong
Taijiquan is a martial art.
Tai chi for health is a non-martial health exercise adapted from taijiquan.
Qigong is a series of standing and moving exercises designed to encourage energy flow.
There are no static postures in tai chi.
Tai chi for health is a non-martial health exercise adapted from taijiquan.
Qigong is a series of standing and moving exercises designed to encourage energy flow.
There are no static postures in tai chi.
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)
(Yang Jwing-Ming)
Monday
Tai chi and chi kung
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.
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.
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