Tai Chi Workshop Series in Los AngelesOn a regular basis the TC Society in Los Angeles California offers a multi-part workshop covering the fundamental principals of Tai Chi. The Los Angeles Tai Chi Workshop home page can be found at http://tcsociety.com/workshops. Please read below for a summary of the topics covered in each workshop.
Tai Chi Essential Workshops: 1
History, Principles, and the Evolution of the Tao
You may study or hear Wu-Wei, Yin Yan, Tai Chi for a long time. But how are them relate to our practice of Tai Chi Chuan?Reading these philosophical principles always help us to comprehend the theories behind Tai Chi Chuan. When it comes to how to apply these principals, many are confused and lost. Our workshops will lead practitioners to cross this gap and to enter the enjoyment of Tai Chi Chuan.
There are plenty of information about the principles because Tai Chi Chuan classics has been written, read, and deliberated in many ways in the past thousand of years. The following are some of them I found on the internet. I list them for your easy reference and encourage you to do further research on these topics before coming to the workshop.
Here are the reference of the topics we are going to discuss. We will use the stances called 'Set Up and Open With a Blow' to illustrate the application of the concepts we learned. The application includes steps in Wu-Xing, hand motions in BaGua, breathing pattern in Taoist practice, and energy circulation in Du Mai and Ren Mai.
Our hands-on practice will emphasize on both health, and martial applications.
Tai Chi Theory - we will discuss Wu-Wei, Yin Yan, Tai Chi, Tai Chi symbol, Wu Xing, Ba Gua, and how to relate them to Tai Chi Chuan.
Wu Wei - a state of eternity
To see the world in a grain of sand,
and to see heaven in a wild flower,
hold infinity in the palm of your
hands, and eternity in an hour.
-William Blake
"My crown is in my heart, not on my head, Nor decked with diamonds and Indian stones, Nor to be seen: My crown is called content: A crown it is, that seldom kings enjoy."
- William Shakespeare
"Be happy while you're living, for you're a long time dead."
- Scottish Proverb
Tai Chi Essential Workshops: 2
The Taoist Method of Breathing
How does it work with Tai Chi Chuan? Why Tai Chi practitioners choose this breathing pattern ?Taoists distribute their energy to the whole body first then cultivate it by leading the energy to their Dan Tien (the center of body). When the method is used in self defense, the energy is directed to the point of effort to produce massive force. In Tai Chi Chuan practice, the energy is usually distributed well proportionally to produce force and to nourish Dan Tien.
There is plenty of information about the breathing methods because Tai Chi Chuan classics has been written, read, and deliberated in many ways in the past thousand of years. The following are some articles and videos on the internet. I list them for your easy reference and encourage you to do further research on these topics before coming to the workshop.
Here are the topics we are going to discuss. We will use the stances called 'Punch the Tiger' to illustrate the application of the concepts we learned. The application includes steps in Wu-Xing, hand motions in BaGua, breathing pattern in Taoist practice, and energy circulation to produce force.
Our hands-on practice will emphasize on both health, and martial applications.
The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek. - Joseph Campbell
Tai Chi Theory - Punch the Tiger. Respect and alert of the opponent is emphasized when 'Tiger' is used. Avoiding the front and narrowing in then punching from the side or back is commonly applied.
This popular proverb is spoken: bu ru hu xue, yan de hu zi which actually means: you cannot catch a tiger cub, without dare to enter the tiger's cave, meaning in English 'nothing ventured, nothing gained',
Tai Chi Essential Workshops: 3
Tai Chi Hand Movements
With the understanding of Ba Gua, it becomes easy to perfect our stances. Each stance may use several techniques and forces to produce an efficient result. To put hands on the right contact points is the starting, lead power to the points makes it possible, then manipulate the forces to achieve the goal.Xuin, wind in Ba Gua, is used to describe Tai Chi technique of Cai, catch - get hands to the points and gain control. There is plenty of information about the Cai, usually under the name of Tai Chi Chin Na.
Tui, lake in Ba Gua, is used to describe Tai Chi technique of Zhou, elbow strike - deliver explosive force by elbow. Zhou is left out on purpose in most Tai Chi Chuan forms, regardless of the style, but practiced in Push Hands and San Shou.
Ken, mountain in Ba Gua, is used to describe Tai Chi
We will emphasize on the form (external structure of our body) and also Qi flow (internal power delivery) to accomplish the efficiency.
Tai Chi Chuan classics has been written, read, and deliberated in many ways in the past thousand of years. The following are some articles and videos on the internet. I list them for your easy reference and en courage you to do further research on these topics before coming to th e workshop.
Here are the topics we are going to discuss.
We will use the stances called 'Zhou' and 'Kao" to illustrate the application of the concepts we learned.
The application includes steps in Wu-Xing, hand motions in BaGua, breathing pattern in Taoist practice, and energy circulation to produce force.
Our hands-on practice will emphasize on bot h health, and martial applications.
* Chinese says (pinyin: zhì zhe, shì jìng chéng)
o Literally: If a person has ambition, things will be accomplished.
o Moral: Where there is a will, there is a way (English equivalent).
Eight Basic Energies of Tai Chi Theory
Power of Peng, Wardoff, can be describe by Quin, Heaven, in Ba Qua.
Lu, Empty or Roll Back, can be described by K'un, Earth, in Ba Qua.
Ji, Squeeze, a sudden explosion in a narrow space, can be described by Ken, Water in Ba Qua.
An, Push or Press, can be described by Li, Fire, in Ba Qua.
Lie, Splitting, can be described by Chen, Thunder, in Ba Qua,
The techniques used with these powers are also called Peng Lu, Ji, An, and Lie.
Tai Chi Essential Workshops: 4
Tai Chi Steps & Footwork
How do the basic foot movements relate to 'Wu Xing' - 5 Elements. Learn how to coordi nate the lower body movements to increase mobility and stability.
Also learn the power of expansion and contraction.
Peng - the force all other forces evolved from. It is a power of expansion. Breathing was discussed in our second workshop. When our idea of expansion starts, energy is led to the focus point supported by breathing and Qi flow to generate force. How to lead the force to targ et need techniques we are going to cover in this workshop.
Lu - is the other side of Peng, or the power of contraction.
These two forces are the two extremes can be symbolize by Yin and Yan symbols. The other six forces are somewhere in between.
Tao Te Ching 40
by Lao-tzu
The movement of the Tao
By contraries proceeds;
And weakness marks the course
Of Tao's mighty deeds.
All things under heaven sprang from It as existing (and named);
that existence sprang from It as non-existent (and not named).
Tai Chi Essential Workshops: 5
Tai Chi Power
Applications in 'Push Hands' and 'San Shao' - Sparring
Practice
Gain live strength by practicing sparring in the context of 'Push Hands' and 'San Shao'.
Tai Chi Essential Workshops: 6 
Tai Chi healing essentially comes from a positive attitude, powered by an effective breathing method and energy circul ation techniques, carried out by logical and efficient movements. Each time we practice Tai Chi, we reinforce our ability to live. How to live well? The answer is 'existence in harmony'
There are twelve Qi channels circulate our body relating to our main organs. Additional six Qi channels act as expressway s to interface with the twelve. Two more Qi channels to direct and coordinate all the Qi channels to perform. We will have a view of all this channels and find a way to exercise them to reach high efficiency.
Tai Chi Theory
Tai Chi (the Supreme Ultima te) arises from WU CHI (The formless). It is the origin of movement and quietude they close. There should be no excess, no insufficiency. Yield to your opponents advances and adhere when he retreats. When the other's movement comes quickly, respond quickly; when the other's movement comes slowly, respond slowly. The techniques change but this principle remains constant.
Through the process of long and diligent practice, there comes an understanding of the "internal force". From this understanding, comes a "spiritual illumination". But you will not understand this without much time an d effort.
The top of the head is empty, alert and still. The breath sinks to the "dan tien" The body is not inclined, leaning, or stretching. The opponent can not detect as you become "empty" where he attacks, and you become "solid" and follow him when he reteats. The body becomes so sensitive that when the weight of a fly landing on you sets you in motion-shifting from solid to empty.
Stand as a balanced scale, move like a wheel. Keep one leg heavy, one leg light. If the weight is kept on both legs, you will never get good results. To avoid this you must know Yin and Yang. To "adhere" is also to withdra w, and to withdraw is also to "adhere". Yin does not leave Yang and yang does not leave Yin. Yin and Yang necessarily compliment each other and one does not exist without the other. You will understand the "internal force" if you understand this concept.
The mind directs the breath, and orders it to sink so that it may be gathered by the bones. Then, the breath moves the body freely, following the desire of the mind. When you want to use the "chi", sink the breath deeply, but remain relaxed and quiet, and then concentrate in a single direction toward the opponent.
Tao Te Ching 79
by Lao-tzu
If you blame someone else,
there is no end to the blame.
Therefore the Master
fulfills her own obligations
and corrects her own mistakes.
She does what she needs to do
and demands nothing of others.
Here are videos for Tai Chi:
- Mantak Chia Polsing & Breathing
- Taoist Breathing
- Tai Chi Push Hands Chin Na 2008
- Tai Chi Chin Na
- Martial Arts
- Chin Na Demo
- Chin Na 3 - Sifu Steven Zhao
- Taiji push hand of Ms. Bian Zhiqin
Resources
Here are some resources where you can learn more about Tai Chi, Taoist breathing, and Chin na.
- Los Angeles Tai Chi Workshops
- Are you looking for in depth Tai Chi instruction in the Los Angeles area? The TC Society offers Tai Chi classes and workshops throughout the Los Angeles area.
- Great Lens on Breathing Exercises
- Many kinds of breathing exercises and practices are being offered today through books, CDs, videos, DVDs, magazines, newsletters, teachers, therapists, and so on for health, healing, and self-transformation. Many of these exercises and practices, which involve some kind of breath control, have been
- Tai Chi Classics
- T'AI CHI CH'UAN CLASSICS Most of the following translations were based initially on The
Essence of T'ai Chi Ch'uan: The Literary Tradition by Lo, Inn, Amacker, and
Foe. (I recommend this book as one of the must have volumes in an enthusiast's
library.) By comparing and contrasting with other t - Wikipedia Entry on Tai Chi Classics
- Tai chi classics From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia .
- Great Push Hands Videos on Google Video
- Here are a selection of Tai Chi and Push Hands videos from Google Video Search. Many of these are in Chinese.
- More Great Push Hands Videos - This time from YouKu.com
- Very authentic, detailed selection of videos showing Chen Tai Chi master demonstrate advanced Push Hands techniques.
- Eight Fundemental Energies
- This is a terrific article on the eight basic energies and their application.
- The Healing Power of Tia Chi and Qi Gong (Qigong)
- Just how does Tai Chi produce its healing powers?
- The importance of healing pressure points in the practice of tai chi, dao yin and chi kung
- Good description of Governor Vessel 20.
- Tai chi's healing power Martial art eases arthritis pain
- This news article recounts one lady's experience healing her arthritis pain using Tai Chi.
- Tai Chi Breathing: Qi And Channels, by C. Guan Soo
- An experienced Tai Chi practitioner summarizes the 12 Meridians and Networks.
- A modern Definition of Qi
- A look at Qi from a modern scientific perspective.
- Riding with Chi: Your Pathway to Energy Mastery
- Great video about applying Tai Chi to riding horses.
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