Tai chi is an ideal form of exercise for people of all ages. Emphasis is placed upon mobile joints, relaxed muscles and natural movement.
The training encourages a calm mind and composed emotions.
Monday
Sunday
Teaching experience
Sifu Waller has considerable experience teaching tai chi chuan:
- Bradford Yang Style Tai Chi Association (1995 - 1999)
- Dynamic Balancing Boxing (1999 -2004)
- Age Concern North Tyneside (2004 - 2008)
- Age Concern Newcastle (2004 - present day)
- Newcastle Tai Chi (2004 - present day)
Tuesday
Tuesday
Business address
Newcastle Tai Chi
St Andrew's Church
Station Road
Benton
NE12 8AW
0750 3604568
http://www.newcastletaichi.co.uk
newcastletaichi@hotmail.com
St Andrew's Church
Station Road
Benton
NE12 8AW
0750 3604568
http://www.newcastletaichi.co.uk
newcastletaichi@hotmail.com
Thursday
The role of qigong in the internal martial arts
Taijiquan, baguazhang and xingyiquan use forms to practice combat movements, build strength and gain agility.
The forms are highly intricate, with many different levels of skill.
Yiquan (mind fist)/dachengquan (the great accomplishment) - an offshoot of xingyiquan - does not use forms.
Instead, it uses static standing qigong postures in lieu of form.
Xingyiquan uses form(s) for power development.Dachengquan uses standing qigong.
See the difference?
What should a tai chi school do?The answer is somewhat self evident, isn't it?
Taijiquan is not dachengquan.
It uses forms, not standing qigong postures.
Read The Tai Chi Classics... There is no mention of standing qigong but a whole lot of information about movement.
The forms are highly intricate, with many different levels of skill.
Yiquan (mind fist)/dachengquan (the great accomplishment) - an offshoot of xingyiquan - does not use forms.
Instead, it uses static standing qigong postures in lieu of form.
Xingyiquan uses form(s) for power development.Dachengquan uses standing qigong.
See the difference?
What should a tai chi school do?The answer is somewhat self evident, isn't it?
Taijiquan is not dachengquan.
It uses forms, not standing qigong postures.
Read The Tai Chi Classics... There is no mention of standing qigong but a whole lot of information about movement.
Tuesday
5 stages
There are 5 stages to learning any form:
(i) The pattern
The outline, the sequence of movements.
This stage of learning is often called 'the square form' because it is crude and largely inaccurate.
The form is practiced slowly.
Unfortunately, most tai chi people only learn the first stage, and remain a perpetual beginner.
Neglecting the remaining stages leaves the form meaningless and empty.
(ii) Internal strength
Internal biomechanical concerns are incorporated.
The way in which the body is used is now the concern.
Every single movement is imbued with internal strength.
An understanding of The Way and Its Power, the tai chi classics and taoism is necessary.
(iii) Application
Traditionally, it is said that there are at least seven applications for every form posture.
There are three types of martial application within form: chin na, jing and shuai jiao.
Competence in all three areas of skill is required.
A student must be capable of skilfully applying the form in a thorough and convincing way against an earnest attacker.
Applications must adhere to the tai chi principles (4 ounces of pressure, softness, stickiness, yielding, peng etc).
(iv) Shen
Shen is a vitality that can be seen shining through a person; it enlivens the body and refreshes the mind.
The eyes look expressive and alert.
For 'shen' to manifest, a person must lose all self-consciousness.
There is no more self or other, just movement, just sensation/feeling.
Instead of feeling apart from what is happening, we feel the physics of the movement, the kinetic flow.
(v) Natural
Instead of glossy, flamboyant, outward show, the attention turns inward.
The tai chi is not ornate.
It is simple, direct, flowing and natural.
Within the slow spirals, curves and gentle steps can be found a grace that is difficult to articulate.
(i) The pattern
The outline, the sequence of movements.
This stage of learning is often called 'the square form' because it is crude and largely inaccurate.
The form is practiced slowly.
Unfortunately, most tai chi people only learn the first stage, and remain a perpetual beginner.
Neglecting the remaining stages leaves the form meaningless and empty.
(ii) Internal strength
Internal biomechanical concerns are incorporated.
The way in which the body is used is now the concern.
Every single movement is imbued with internal strength.
An understanding of The Way and Its Power, the tai chi classics and taoism is necessary.
(iii) Application
Traditionally, it is said that there are at least seven applications for every form posture.
There are three types of martial application within form: chin na, jing and shuai jiao.
Competence in all three areas of skill is required.
A student must be capable of skilfully applying the form in a thorough and convincing way against an earnest attacker.
Applications must adhere to the tai chi principles (4 ounces of pressure, softness, stickiness, yielding, peng etc).
(iv) Shen
Shen is a vitality that can be seen shining through a person; it enlivens the body and refreshes the mind.
The eyes look expressive and alert.
For 'shen' to manifest, a person must lose all self-consciousness.
There is no more self or other, just movement, just sensation/feeling.
Instead of feeling apart from what is happening, we feel the physics of the movement, the kinetic flow.
(v) Natural
Instead of glossy, flamboyant, outward show, the attention turns inward.
The tai chi is not ornate.
It is simple, direct, flowing and natural.
Within the slow spirals, curves and gentle steps can be found a grace that is difficult to articulate.
Cigarettes & alcohol
Addictive substances are used to prop people up.
A student called Steve once commented that after a few weeks of taijiquan he’d stopped drinking altogether. No effort was involved; he just didn’t feel like it anymore.
He remarked, “Happy people don’t drink.”
A student called Steve once commented that after a few weeks of taijiquan he’d stopped drinking altogether. No effort was involved; he just didn’t feel like it anymore.
He remarked, “Happy people don’t drink.”
Monday
Feedback
I never get the chance to talk to you as we leave in a hurry after class but I would like to say in this email how much we admire and respect you, your clarity and common sense approach to many aspects of the martial arts cuts through so much crap taught by others; we are humbled and honoured for you allowing us to train with you, I do not think some of the other students understand the difference between other classes and yours, believe me we do; I guess because we involved with other stuff we can appreciate just how awesome the art is you teach.
I was talking to Jonothan going home tonight and we remarked on just how deep tai chi penetrates into every aspect of our lives, moving, thinking, interaction with others, it really pervades everything you do when you allow it to.
It must be frustrating to have all this cool stuff and not be able to get it across to the general public.
(Damian)
I was talking to Jonothan going home tonight and we remarked on just how deep tai chi penetrates into every aspect of our lives, moving, thinking, interaction with others, it really pervades everything you do when you allow it to.
It must be frustrating to have all this cool stuff and not be able to get it across to the general public.
(Damian)
Heavier weapons
One day a week Sifu Waller's home training involves the use of oak weapons for the stick and staff forms and
drills.
Sunday
Sabre form
The sabre form looks almost as long as side A of pao chui, but is actually a little bit shorter. There are a number of repeated postures too.
Thursday
Peter Southwood's tips #8 Burn your bridges
Do not allow yourself excuses. Do not spare yourself. Do not lie to yourself. Do not let fear or laziness hold you back.
Take every step deliberately and knowingly.
Without compromise.
Take every step deliberately and knowingly.
Without compromise.
Wednesday
Monday
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Saturday
Unlikely?
If you have studied another martial art, then it is probably quite difficult to appreciate how tai chi can be used effectively in combat.
Tai chi's slow-motion movements lead people to doubt the art.
Tai chi's slow-motion movements lead people to doubt the art.
Thursday
Functionality
In order to become skilled with a weapons form, you must have some sense
of how to use it.
Beginners always train with lightweight sword, and this is necessary. However it can give the wrong impression to the student.
A lightweight sword (strictly speaking) is not a weapon.
If you bashed a wushu sword or a cheap steel sword against a real jian, the blade would bend and be immediately useless.
Flashy twirls and flourishes, and over-extended arms are impossible when the sword has some weight.
Cane and staff forms do not need to be trained with an oak staff.
The rattan stick is the weapon. It is tough, flexible, durable and fast.
Oak is slow, heavy and unwieldy.
If you want to practice sword forms with some sense of realism and work through the 5 stages, then you need to use a heavy weapon at some point.
Beginners always train with lightweight sword, and this is necessary. However it can give the wrong impression to the student.
A lightweight sword (strictly speaking) is not a weapon.
If you bashed a wushu sword or a cheap steel sword against a real jian, the blade would bend and be immediately useless.
Flashy twirls and flourishes, and over-extended arms are impossible when the sword has some weight.
Cane and staff forms do not need to be trained with an oak staff.
The rattan stick is the weapon. It is tough, flexible, durable and fast.
Oak is slow, heavy and unwieldy.
If you want to practice sword forms with some sense of realism and work through the 5 stages, then you need to use a heavy weapon at some point.
Christmas feedback
Greetings Sifu Waller: I like your Xmas views.
Margot & I decided no presents for each other this year.
Well that is not strictly correct. I give Margot $210, she gives me $210.
We then pool the $420 & send it to India where a Tibetan Buddhist Monk's father will have an operation and regain his sight.
I think I am starting to get that Christmas feeling again.
(Ron)
Margot & I decided no presents for each other this year.
Well that is not strictly correct. I give Margot $210, she gives me $210.
We then pool the $420 & send it to India where a Tibetan Buddhist Monk's father will have an operation and regain his sight.
I think I am starting to get that Christmas feeling again.
(Ron)
Tuesday
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