Out of those people that exercise, how many choose to study a martial art or a fighting art?
Not many.
Sport is far more popular than martial arts training.
Running, football, the gym, yoga... these more widely practiced.
Not many people study the martial arts these days.
Wednesday
Self defence challenges
As the syllabus unfolds, the martial student is eventually required to prove their skill against full-speed, full-power attacks from other students and also from the instructor.
We employ relay attacks and melee scenarios.
Sometimes it is one-to-one.
The attacker(s) may be armed or unarmed.
Our aim is to challenge your nervous system, to put you under pressure, to see if you panic, or if you remain composed.
Nobody will be asked to do anything that is beyond their ability.
By facing an increasingly realistic range of attacks, the student becomes seasoned to violence and is not flustered.
We employ relay attacks and melee scenarios.
Sometimes it is one-to-one.
The attacker(s) may be armed or unarmed.
Our aim is to challenge your nervous system, to put you under pressure, to see if you panic, or if you remain composed.
Nobody will be asked to do anything that is beyond their ability.
By facing an increasingly realistic range of attacks, the student becomes seasoned to violence and is not flustered.
Thursday
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.
Wednesday
Monday
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.
Sunday
Tao yin
Tao yin refers to a wide selection of stretching exercises designed
to improve circulation and boost the flow of energy within the body.
It is commonly referred to as 'taoist yoga'.
The stretches work the legs, back and psoas in particular.
It is commonly referred to as 'taoist yoga'.
The stretches work the legs, back and psoas in particular.
Thursday
Living the life
If you want to discover the meaning of tao, zen and/or tai chi, it is necessary to remember that these arts were lived.
They were not paraded or preserved.
People lived this way.
They did so unselfconsciously and vibrantly.
It was not a mask or a poise. There was nothing kitsch or contrived.
They were not paraded or preserved.
People lived this way.
They did so unselfconsciously and vibrantly.
It was not a mask or a poise. There was nothing kitsch or contrived.
Wednesday
Feedback
Before I came to Sifu Waller three years ago I had spent six years at four different classes trying to learn tai chi. None of them had a syllabus of any kind. Most were offering tuition of the simplified 24 step Yang style tai chi, with no self defence and no regard for the health of knees or back. The classes were for one hour only and cost about the same as ours.
(John Bell)
(John Bell)
Monday
What are the challenges?
There are many, many challenges facing every student.
Those that stem from the art itself are technical in nature.
Most arise within and represent an internal battle that must take place if a student is ever to penetrate the mysteries of the art.
Not everyone will have determination enough to stay the course.
Those that stem from the art itself are technical in nature.
Most arise within and represent an internal battle that must take place if a student is ever to penetrate the mysteries of the art.
Not everyone will have determination enough to stay the course.
Thursday
Real human
Taoism has a long history of mystics, alchemists and magicians.
There are many colourful accounts of oddball recluses who studied arcane practices in order to gain great skill and wisdom.
At the heart of the teachings is the desire to attain an altered state of consciousness.
To see the world through different eyes.
Taoists aim to become a "real human being"; in-touch with reality is a tangible, earthy way.
They avoid fame, worldliness and repute; remaining in the shadows, in secret and aloof.
There are many colourful accounts of oddball recluses who studied arcane practices in order to gain great skill and wisdom.
At the heart of the teachings is the desire to attain an altered state of consciousness.
To see the world through different eyes.
Taoists aim to become a "real human being"; in-touch with reality is a tangible, earthy way.
They avoid fame, worldliness and repute; remaining in the shadows, in secret and aloof.
Too old to change
Karate and tai chi are worlds apart. If I was a young man, I'd join your class and ditch karate.
Sadly, I'm too old to change and I know it.
(Andrew Clarke)
Patience
Facing up to your age can be a bit hard if you have an ego.
Your body is probably not as coordinated as you might imagine and you may not be as fit as you once were.
You may not be overly motivated.
Accept all this.Fighting against the reality of aging is foolish and pointless.
Just do what you can.
It may take you longer to learn things than you expect... so what?
You are not in competition with anyone.
Your body is probably not as coordinated as you might imagine and you may not be as fit as you once were.
You may not be overly motivated.
Accept all this.Fighting against the reality of aging is foolish and pointless.
Just do what you can.
It may take you longer to learn things than you expect... so what?
You are not in competition with anyone.
Wednesday
Lifestyle
Hardly anyone is truly dedicated.
For the most earnest of students, the art has become part of their life.
It is a vocation, a calling.
For the most earnest of students, the art has become part of their life.
It is a vocation, a calling.
Sunday
Altered state of consciousness
Taoism and zen study are designed to take you beyond the limits of intelligence.
They do this by encouraging the student to unlearn, to set aside what you think you know.
This involves recognising the drawback of words, concepts, ideas, conventions, habits and thought itself.
By dismantling how your mind perceives reality, you begin to see things in a different way.
You attain an altered state of consciousness.
They do this by encouraging the student to unlearn, to set aside what you think you know.
This involves recognising the drawback of words, concepts, ideas, conventions, habits and thought itself.
By dismantling how your mind perceives reality, you begin to see things in a different way.
You attain an altered state of consciousness.
Saturday
Hampering yourself
Do not pollute your mind with questions, comparisons, opinions and speculation.
A student is not capable of assessing the skill of the instructor or the art itself.
They see only what they are exposed to (the beginners syllabus) and draw knowledge from their own minds.
Your values and insights are based on your own education, experience and criteria.
Upon what you can see and what you consider to be important.
Given that you do not possess any real skills yourself and have no experience to speak of... are you equipped to make any worthwhile assessment concerning the art?
A student is not capable of assessing the skill of the instructor or the art itself.
They see only what they are exposed to (the beginners syllabus) and draw knowledge from their own minds.
Your values and insights are based on your own education, experience and criteria.
Upon what you can see and what you consider to be important.
Given that you do not possess any real skills yourself and have no experience to speak of... are you equipped to make any worthwhile assessment concerning the art?
Tuesday
Tai chi master
A master should have 30-40 years martial arts experience
and 30,000 hours of tai chi practice.
They are capable of teaching other instructors.
They are capable of teaching other instructors.
Why bother learning an internal art?
There is more to life than buying goods, eating, sleeping, drinking alcohol and watching TV.
You are more than this.
The martial arts train body and mind to move in a graceful, precise, functional way.
Strength, flexibility, vitality and good humour typically emerge.
Greater harmony and balance is found.
You look at life a little differently.
The internal arts require the student to explore taoism and zen.
Contemplation, meditation, settled emotions and calmness of mind are all wonderful additions to your life.
Instead of becoming the violent brute people often associate with the martial arts, you become relaxed and comfortable with yourself, and with those around you.
You are more than this.
The martial arts train body and mind to move in a graceful, precise, functional way.
Strength, flexibility, vitality and good humour typically emerge.
Greater harmony and balance is found.
You look at life a little differently.
The internal arts require the student to explore taoism and zen.
Contemplation, meditation, settled emotions and calmness of mind are all wonderful additions to your life.
Instead of becoming the violent brute people often associate with the martial arts, you become relaxed and comfortable with yourself, and with those around you.
How many people are committed?
Out of the internal martial artists who are adhering to the key precepts of their art, and faithfully perpetuating the essence, how many people are training it fully?
It is not enough to be training the right thing.
You must also practice frequently enough for the skills to emerge, grow and reach fruition.
To do any internal art justice, daily training is necessary.
The amount of time each day required depends upon your own individual skill level.
Essentially, you need to practice what you know.
And the more you know, the more you must practice.
Yang Lu-chun trained his sons so hard that they ran away from home.
It is not enough to be training the right thing.
You must also practice frequently enough for the skills to emerge, grow and reach fruition.
To do any internal art justice, daily training is necessary.
The amount of time each day required depends upon your own individual skill level.
Essentially, you need to practice what you know.
And the more you know, the more you must practice.
Yang Lu-chun trained his sons so hard that they ran away from home.
Beginners mind?
A new starter is hopeful, idealistic and naive.
They have notions about tai chi that have brought them to the class. They are expecting to find confirmation of these ideas.
Instead of an open mind, the student is searching for something familiar.
The problem with being a new starter is that you know nothing about the art. Nor could you.
The values you attribute to things stem from your own experiences and opinions, not from an understanding of the art itself.
What you see as being skill has no bearing whatsoever upon the reality of the system.
And, if you understand the art... why seek lessons?
They have notions about tai chi that have brought them to the class. They are expecting to find confirmation of these ideas.
Instead of an open mind, the student is searching for something familiar.
The problem with being a new starter is that you know nothing about the art. Nor could you.
The values you attribute to things stem from your own experiences and opinions, not from an understanding of the art itself.
What you see as being skill has no bearing whatsoever upon the reality of the system.
And, if you understand the art... why seek lessons?
Monday
Never fight
It is a common mistake for new students to regard taijiquan as 'fighting'. This is a misconception that reflects a conflict-based, competitive mentality. Our training is designed to cure people of their aggression.
In self defence, we have no desire whatsoever to fight. Fighting is when you stand in front of someone and trade blows with them. It is a struggle. Struggling occurs when you try to impose your will and encounter resistance.
In taijiquan, we wish to evade and depart - not struggle.
A taijiquan student merges with the incoming attack and does not fight the assailant. Our skill lies with allowing the assailant to move as he pleases, without blocking the line of force. We redirect that force, and borrow its power for our counter.
There is no fight. A fighter tires himself by contesting the incoming force. This is not the way.
In self defence, we have no desire whatsoever to fight. Fighting is when you stand in front of someone and trade blows with them. It is a struggle. Struggling occurs when you try to impose your will and encounter resistance.
In taijiquan, we wish to evade and depart - not struggle.
A taijiquan student merges with the incoming attack and does not fight the assailant. Our skill lies with allowing the assailant to move as he pleases, without blocking the line of force. We redirect that force, and borrow its power for our counter.
There is no fight. A fighter tires himself by contesting the incoming force. This is not the way.
Sunday
Saturday
Losing your temper
Losing your temper entails a loss of control.
The emotional reaction to a situation overrides reason and you act in an irrational, hostile, perhaps even violent manner.
Rash, ill-considered action can lead to undesirable consequences.
The emotional reaction to a situation overrides reason and you act in an irrational, hostile, perhaps even violent manner.
Rash, ill-considered action can lead to undesirable consequences.
Commerce
Businesses seek to make money. They accomplish this in many ways.
One method is 'abstraction'.
Instead of handling money with your hands, you are encouraged to use 'electronic' methods of payment:
One method is 'abstraction'.
Instead of handling money with your hands, you are encouraged to use 'electronic' methods of payment:
- Credit card
- Debit card
- Store card
- Standing order
- Direct debit
- Mobile phone contract
These all serve to distance you from the transaction itself.
Thursday
Charity & judgement
You often say, "I would give, but only to the deserving."
And who are you that men should rend their bosom and unveil their pride, that you should see their worth naked and their pride unabashed?
And who are you that men should rend their bosom and unveil their pride, that you should see their worth naked and their pride unabashed?
(Kahlil Gibran)
Wednesday
Saturday
Christmas - the media spectacle
Christmas is a marketing triumph.
The inane catchy jingles played constantly, the lights and the decorations, the kitsch, the sentimentality and nostalgia, the peer pressure, the overindulgence...
People willingly spend money they do not have on things they do not need.
They do this for no reason whatsoever.
The inane catchy jingles played constantly, the lights and the decorations, the kitsch, the sentimentality and nostalgia, the peer pressure, the overindulgence...
People willingly spend money they do not have on things they do not need.
They do this for no reason whatsoever.
Thursday
Tuesday
Numbers
Your wage is represented as a number. You deduct various other numbers from your wage and the figure diminishes.
It is quite easy to look at your bank statement and see £40 deducted here and £300 deducted there.
If you were to actually hand over the money physically, you may see the situation differently.
Counting out £300 in cash is altogether different from seeing a figure on a credit card bill.
It is quite easy to look at your bank statement and see £40 deducted here and £300 deducted there.
If you were to actually hand over the money physically, you may see the situation differently.
Counting out £300 in cash is altogether different from seeing a figure on a credit card bill.
Monday
Re-discover Christmas #2
In the 1970's Peter McNally (the local Scout leader) used to take large gangs of children and adults around the village on Christmas morning.
He'd found out which old people were alone and had no family. He'd filled shoe boxes with presents and asked people to sign cards.
Then he took everyone to visit each and every lonely old person. We would all stand and sing outside their houses.
The expressions on the faces of the old people said it all.
He'd found out which old people were alone and had no family. He'd filled shoe boxes with presents and asked people to sign cards.
Then he took everyone to visit each and every lonely old person. We would all stand and sing outside their houses.
The expressions on the faces of the old people said it all.
Friday
Treatment
Treat someone well. Really help them out. Make them have hope again.
But do not stick around for thanks. Leave the person wondering why you did it but grateful that you did.
Smile and walk away.
But do not stick around for thanks. Leave the person wondering why you did it but grateful that you did.
Smile and walk away.
Tuesday
Promoting unwanted tension
If you bring a horizontal wrist in front of the chest, whether facing out, up or down... you will feel immediate tension in the shoulders, chest and back.
The arm muscles will also tighten.
Students who lack good body awareness and physical sensitivity seldom realise that their faulty hand position is making their upper body tense.
Look at the human skeleton: the arms hang at the sides of the body.
Bringing your hand to the front occurs by bending the elbow joint and rotating using the radius bone.
The wrist is vertical/diagonal and the action is linked to the waist, taking place on the horizontal plane.
The horizontal wrist position must be explored thoroughly in order to find and maintain peng, and avoid tension.
The arm muscles will also tighten.
Students who lack good body awareness and physical sensitivity seldom realise that their faulty hand position is making their upper body tense.
Look at the human skeleton: the arms hang at the sides of the body.
Bringing your hand to the front occurs by bending the elbow joint and rotating using the radius bone.
The wrist is vertical/diagonal and the action is linked to the waist, taking place on the horizontal plane.
The horizontal wrist position must be explored thoroughly in order to find and maintain peng, and avoid tension.
Carelessness
The danger with abstraction is that it blinds you to the dangers of over-spending.
You are seduced into spending money you do not have.
This process is not an accident.
It has been cynically planned and implemented by financiers of various kinds.
Everyone wants a piece of the action.
You are the 'mark'.
These massive companies want a piece of your money.
Through your carelessness, and the process of abstraction, you have been distanced from the reality of your finances.
When your house is re-possessed, you realise that numerical abstraction may have hidden the reality from you - but reality cannot be ignored.
Crippling debt is the outcome of confusing the menu with the food.
You are seduced into spending money you do not have.
This process is not an accident.
It has been cynically planned and implemented by financiers of various kinds.
Everyone wants a piece of the action.
You are the 'mark'.
These massive companies want a piece of your money.
Through your carelessness, and the process of abstraction, you have been distanced from the reality of your finances.
When your house is re-possessed, you realise that numerical abstraction may have hidden the reality from you - but reality cannot be ignored.
Crippling debt is the outcome of confusing the menu with the food.
Saturday
Magician?
Advanced level taijiquan self defence skills are not remotely showy. They are impossibly understated.
The attacker is felled without any real sense of what happened.
They may not even recall being touched at all. But they were touched. They simply did not notice.
This is not magic. But it looks like it.
The attacker is felled without any real sense of what happened.
They may not even recall being touched at all. But they were touched. They simply did not notice.
This is not magic. But it looks like it.
Fun
Make sure that you have fun.
Be inspired by what you encounter in class, surprised by the physics and the applications.
But do not take yourself too seriously.
If you can have fun, learning is easy.
Play with the art but do not struggle with it.
You are where you are and you are as good as you are.
If your ambitions demand more of you, then practice more often, but keep it relaxed.
Be inspired by what you encounter in class, surprised by the physics and the applications.
But do not take yourself too seriously.
If you can have fun, learning is easy.
Play with the art but do not struggle with it.
You are where you are and you are as good as you are.
If your ambitions demand more of you, then practice more often, but keep it relaxed.
The way
In Japan, martial arts are classified as being either 'jutsu' or 'do'.
Jutsu means 'science' or 'method'. A jutsu class teaches technical skills, techniques and combat.
'Do' means 'the way' and refers to the study of tao. A 'do' class teaches refinement of character.
Chinese internal arts address both 'do' and 'jutsu' as part of the curriculum.
The material is just too dangerous to be taught to students who have not worked to rid themselves of negative emotions, pettiness and hang-ups.
The instructor is responsible for the process of refinement.
Jutsu means 'science' or 'method'. A jutsu class teaches technical skills, techniques and combat.
'Do' means 'the way' and refers to the study of tao. A 'do' class teaches refinement of character.
Chinese internal arts address both 'do' and 'jutsu' as part of the curriculum.
The material is just too dangerous to be taught to students who have not worked to rid themselves of negative emotions, pettiness and hang-ups.
The instructor is responsible for the process of refinement.
Friday
Sage
Taoism is filled with stories featuring wise people who are referred to as a 'sage'.
But what is wisdom?
Wisdom is not the same as knowledge.
It reaches beyond the information to see inner qualities and relationships that are not immediately apparent.
It is synonymous with awareness and care, with insight and consideration.
Knowledge alone is dangerous.
It must be tempered with good sense, morality and prudence.
But what is wisdom?
Wisdom is not the same as knowledge.
It reaches beyond the information to see inner qualities and relationships that are not immediately apparent.
It is synonymous with awareness and care, with insight and consideration.
Knowledge alone is dangerous.
It must be tempered with good sense, morality and prudence.
Thursday
Show me
Baguazhang is not easy to learn.
A student must show aptitude as well as enthusiasm.
If you can demonstrate that you have been training hard and are making progress, then you can study the art.
A student must show aptitude as well as enthusiasm.
If you can demonstrate that you have been training hard and are making progress, then you can study the art.
Sunday
No one
Sifu Waller does not have any lineage students yet.
Nobody has demonstrated the integrity necessary to perpetuate the art.
Nobody has demonstrated the integrity necessary to perpetuate the art.
Tuesday
Gentle
The trick with taijiquan is to keep your training mild.
It is not a gym workout.
You are not meant to be sweating and straining.
Go easy on yourself.
Little and often is the key.
If the training is gentle but works your muscles nicely, then it is easy to sustain and your energy levels will stay high.
Overdo-it and you will suffer from fatigue, aching joints and sore muscles.
It is not a gym workout.
You are not meant to be sweating and straining.
Go easy on yourself.
Little and often is the key.
If the training is gentle but works your muscles nicely, then it is easy to sustain and your energy levels will stay high.
Overdo-it and you will suffer from fatigue, aching joints and sore muscles.
Tuesday
Indications of the external
People often think that they are using internal power but are still tensing their muscles or just moving their arms.
These are the telltale signs:
These are the telltale signs:
- Pushing when delivering force
- Their arms tremble when you push them
- There is no 'give' (folding) in the joints
- They push back into you rather than employing inherent peng to absorb and channel the force (yielding)
- Wardoff/peng is seen as a stiff barrier rather than a springy 'feeler'
Friday
Optimism
Hope is a desire for change combined with a certain expectancy.
It is often considered to be a dreamy quality - a little naive and unrealistic.
Yet, hope has given comfort to many people in despair.
At the heart of hope lies the possibility of improvement, the belief in change.
Is it so naive to be hopeful? To be optimistic? Things do change in the world.
It is often considered to be a dreamy quality - a little naive and unrealistic.
Yet, hope has given comfort to many people in despair.
At the heart of hope lies the possibility of improvement, the belief in change.
Is it so naive to be hopeful? To be optimistic? Things do change in the world.
Thursday
Negative thoughts
Loss of temper is a psychological reaction.
This means that you have a choice concerning your own behaviour.
It is not necessary to lose your temper.
Try meditation, contemplation or reading book about your problem. Find constructive ways to avoid conflict.
This means that you have a choice concerning your own behaviour.
It is not necessary to lose your temper.
Try meditation, contemplation or reading book about your problem. Find constructive ways to avoid conflict.
Saturday
Leave no footprints
Taoism is unique in that it is probably the only major religion in the world whose practitioners as a rule have not sought great secular power. In the past, taoists took on such power only out of necessity to correct specific abuses. After these excesses had been corrected, they were always ready to relinquish the power and fade away, or "leave no footprints" as they put it.
(Bruce Frantzis)
Friday
Struggling
If a beginner is struggling to come to terms with baguazhang palm changes (form), then they should focus on learning the tai chi chuan form instead.
It is far easier to learn and requires a lesser degree of balance and coordination.
We will not allow a beginner to struggle for too long.
You will have a chance to see for yourself that your ambitions exceed your ability.
If you fail to see this, we will ask you to focus on the tai chi chuan instead.
It is far easier to learn and requires a lesser degree of balance and coordination.
We will not allow a beginner to struggle for too long.
You will have a chance to see for yourself that your ambitions exceed your ability.
If you fail to see this, we will ask you to focus on the tai chi chuan instead.
Paring away
Sifu has practiced and then dropped more forms, exercises and drills than I've even learned. He's got no problem casting aside many years of work, never to pick it up again.
I don't get it personally, but he's unsentimental. He just walks away from things and never returns. His training is constantly being re-evaluated. Sifu changes his personal routine frequently; depending upon his current emphasis. His only interests are martial pragmatism and health.
I don't get it personally, but he's unsentimental. He just walks away from things and never returns. His training is constantly being re-evaluated. Sifu changes his personal routine frequently; depending upon his current emphasis. His only interests are martial pragmatism and health.
(Shaun Ullah)
Thursday
Weapons work in our curriculum
Tai chi chuan practice involves training with weapons:
· Knife drills
· Countering a knife
· Escapes/knife
· Chin na against a knife
· Broadsword drills
· Broadsword form
· Staff drills
· Staff form
· 2 person staff form/drill
· Small stick drills
· Improvised weaponry/knife
Some of this training is suitable for tai chi for health & fitness students.
· Knife drills
· Countering a knife
· Escapes/knife
· Chin na against a knife
· Broadsword drills
· Broadsword form
· Staff drills
· Staff form
· 2 person staff form/drill
· Small stick drills
· Improvised weaponry/knife
Some of this training is suitable for tai chi for health & fitness students.
Wednesday
Friday
Palm-in or palm-out
Peng can be either palm-in or palm-out.
When it is palm-in, the hand is closer to the body. The palm rotates up and away from the body. The arm spirals outward.
When it is palm-out, the hand is further away from the body. The palm rotates down and away from the body. The arm spirals outward.
Be careful not to lift the elbows or affect the shoulder joint.
Note that in order to maintain open elbow kwa, palm-out is further away from the body than palm-in.
When it is palm-in, the hand is closer to the body. The palm rotates up and away from the body. The arm spirals outward.
When it is palm-out, the hand is further away from the body. The palm rotates down and away from the body. The arm spirals outward.
Be careful not to lift the elbows or affect the shoulder joint.
Note that in order to maintain open elbow kwa, palm-out is further away from the body than palm-in.
Wednesday
Why is baguazhang difficult to learn?
A beginner lacks coordination and they are usually extremely tense.
Their body is yet to do what they want it to do.
Tension prohibits free movement.
The solution to this is to focus on learning simpler movements.
This is why white belt and yellow belt focus upon qigong, and orange belt is mainly about section 1 of the tai chi chuan form.
When your body lacks the basic skills, there is a danger of injury.
You may hurt yourself.
You may harm somebody else.
Their body is yet to do what they want it to do.
Tension prohibits free movement.
The solution to this is to focus on learning simpler movements.
This is why white belt and yellow belt focus upon qigong, and orange belt is mainly about section 1 of the tai chi chuan form.
When your body lacks the basic skills, there is a danger of injury.
You may hurt yourself.
You may harm somebody else.
What would you contemplate?
That is entirely up to you.
The purpose of contemplation is to increase your perception, to use the focussed thought as a means of seeing how you think.
By looking deeply into any subject or problem, you can observe your own mind.
Ultimately your scrutiny may well reveal more about your character than the subject you are considering.
The purpose of contemplation is to increase your perception, to use the focussed thought as a means of seeing how you think.
By looking deeply into any subject or problem, you can observe your own mind.
Ultimately your scrutiny may well reveal more about your character than the subject you are considering.
Saturday
Stern
The Art of War lists the qualities expected of a leader.
One of these is the need to be stern.
Definitions of 'stern':
One of these is the need to be stern.
Definitions of 'stern':
- Serious and unrelenting, especially in the assertion of authority and exercise of discipline
- Strict and severe; using extreme measures or terms
- Putting someone or something under pressure
Thursday
What is contemplation?
Contemplation is the intense consideration of a very specific subject.
Rather than gloss over a matter, you commit time to deliberately think it through thoroughly and completely.
It is easy to live a superficial life.
Yet, often something is missing and for all your possessions, it can feel hollow.
Thinking long and hard about something can provide new insights and unexpected outcomes.
Rather than gloss over a matter, you commit time to deliberately think it through thoroughly and completely.
It is easy to live a superficial life.
Yet, often something is missing and for all your possessions, it can feel hollow.
Thinking long and hard about something can provide new insights and unexpected outcomes.
Tuesday
Stop doing
You do not need to look, listen or reach out of yourself to experience the moment.
The information comes to your body unbidden. You see, hear and feel automatically. Involuntarily.
It is not necessary to do anything. Instead you need to stop doing.
Doing is led by the mind, whereas awareness is passive.
This condition of absolute presence will emerge without effort if you allow your mind to stop seeking, forcing and straining.
Just be.
Let your awareness grow. Notice things. Be curious. Be alive. Be alert. Let-go.
Sifu Waller's home training
This has been Sifu Waller's daily
routine since 1992:
-
Strength-building
- balls & grips
- self-massage (100+ exercises)
- 3 circle qigong (15 minutes)
- ba duan jin (8 exercises)
- reeling silk (6 exercises)
- 16 elbows
- moving qigong (15 exercises)
- leg stretches: day 1 or 2
-
Drills
- small san sau
- silk arms
- 5 pre-emptive measures
- pushing peng/double pushing hands/da lu/penetrating defences/reflex drills
- 3-tier wallbag
-
Weapons
- knife drills
- small stick drills
- stick drills (Monday - Saturday)
- broadsword drills (Sunday)
- sabre form (regular & mirrored)
- 2 person cane form/drill (regular & mirrored)
- staff form (regular & mirrored)
- walking stick form (regular & mirrored)
- straight sword form (regular & mirrored)
-
Hard qigong
- full circle qigong (2 postures)/qigong development (2 postures)/form posture qigong (2 postures)/high circle qigong/qigong on one leg
-
Cool down
- stretches & joint work (10 exercises)/psoas exercises (5 exercises)
-
Meditation
- constructive rest position
- guided relaxation -
Reading/study
Wednesday
Be honest with yourself
It is good to be honest with yourself about just how serious you are...
Some people are casual students, whilst for others it is simply a hobby.
A few individuals are committed.
Not many people are serious.
There is nothing wrong with approaching the art in the way that best suits you.
Your own level of interest and commitment are your affair.
What you get out of the art will be directly relative to what you put into it.
Some people are casual students, whilst for others it is simply a hobby.
A few individuals are committed.
Not many people are serious.
There is nothing wrong with approaching the art in the way that best suits you.
Your own level of interest and commitment are your affair.
What you get out of the art will be directly relative to what you put into it.
Tuesday
Taking advantage
It is quite normal for most students to take a class and the teacher for granted.
Sadly, it is a sign of the times.
Our culture has become very selfish and many people genuinely believe that the world revolves around them.
Occasionally, a student chooses to moan/complain/vent their frustration at the teacher.
What can the instructor do about this?
Should they indulge the student?
No.
Sadly, it is a sign of the times.
Our culture has become very selfish and many people genuinely believe that the world revolves around them.
Occasionally, a student chooses to moan/complain/vent their frustration at the teacher.
What can the instructor do about this?
Should they indulge the student?
No.
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