Internal martial practice is an important step to deepening and improving your kung fu.
In this video, Sifu Ted Mancuso demonstrates and teaches a short exercise learned decades earlier from Sifu Wing Lam, for developing and incorporating intent into movement. Following the instruction is an interview with Ted, where he further elbaorates on these concepts.
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This video strikes me as being a spectacular contribution (Wow, thanks a lot, Ted). It’s unique, ….it’s well -explained to the extent that it strikes me as having great value. BUT, that being said, the description of the exercise is free but actualization of the value is not free, it it will require MINDFUL repetition. What a gift. All WE have to do is practice….. now that’s a bargain.
I really learned something here. especially the exercise for intent. I’m so busy these days I can’t seem to get myself to stand in santi posture for very long, but I get to move and practice this exercise that allows me to move my body.. my attention span has decreased, I have a phone, tv and computer that steals my attention. I also like Laoshi Ted’s explaining to me how we integrate physical with mind intention. “walking through a dark forest” great stuff. I admit I’m just a hobbyist these days, but still thirst for my knowlege to improve my Xing Yi. and btw Sirfu Ted’s desk looks like a true writers desk. books everywhere all around him! LOL thank you for the cool video Plum!
I believe every new Tai Chi student should have access to that sort of exercise that Ted demonstrated in the video you posted yesterday.
The usual “follow the teacher” model is very unfortunate(and if that weren’t enough) the student must become a contortionist to be able to see and attempt to copy teacher’s movements. No possibility to be intentful because the student doesn’t know what will happen next and, very likely, can not feel the continuous energetic thread from feet to fingertips.
The expression “the mind moves the chi and the chi moves the body” meant nothing tangible to me for many years
of dedicated practice.
Now I can stand in “embrace tree” posture appearing motionless to the untrained eye while sending energetic pulses or jolts from my dan tien to whatever physical destination in my body I wish. That’s why we can stand motionless while feeling as if performing any tai chi form we wish.
Oh that beginning tai chi or qigong students could get an inkling of the wondrous things to come with persistent practice.
I thought about this after seeing Ted’s video yesterday.