Q: OK, I’m intrigued—what makes Tai Chi the fastest martial art. A: Of course, we have to first admit that speed is relative, but let’s come back to that. There are some very simple reasons that Tai Chi is so fast and, really, being the “fastest martial art” isn’t all that big a deal. But […]
Nov
26
2020
26
2020
Jul
29
2020
29
2020
Better With Age
After class the other day my student Harvey, who has studied with me for more than 15 years, asked me a pointed question: “How and why does a longtime practitioner maintain his or her interest in studying Tai Chi?” This caught my attention immediately, because he asked me to consider it from the advanced study […]
Jun
19
2020
19
2020
Three Clean Quarters
We have three new books for you, all in Chinese and well presented. The first book, Wu Jin, starts us off with an historical and cultural text so old we have no knowledge of its author. Among unnumbered pages is presented authentic military strategy, along with close hand combat. This is a general’s text with […]
Apr
2
2020
2
2020
From Principle to Practice
Hello out there. We hope this finds you all safe and healthy. Today’s offerings range from theory to practice: two DVD lectures from the George Xu group on 10 Animal and 12 Animal Xing Yi, presented by Qian Zhao Hong and Jiang Bao Kang, respectively; two instructional […]
Mar
27
2020
27
2020
Inner Circle Tai Chi Daily Neigong
Our illustrious and accomplished colleague and friend in Sacramento, Sifu Robert Nakashima, has generously created and shared his daily Neigong routine. Running about 20 minutes, even just watching this video provides calm and comfort, although getting up and trying it yourself is highly recommended. The setting, the presentation, even the light chirping of birds in […]
Dec
27
2019
27
2019
Everything Old Is New Again
“A guy who can stand for two hours is a guy you don’t want to fight.” -Sifu Ted Mancuso Traditional Tai Chi training, back in the day, was markedly different from what is practiced today. There was considerable emphasis on stance training. Before students were taught a form, they spent countless hours perfecting/holding postures. It […]
Dec
25
2019
25
2019
Useful
Today we offer just a single DVD, but one that is packed with interest and—even more useful—Usage. Although this DVD, Original Striking Taiji Sanshou, claims legitimate membership in the Tai Chi camp, it comes from Master Wan Lei Sheng’s lineage, and his specific approach adds techniques that fall outside of the Tai Chi curriculum. Instructor […]
Sep
28
2019
28
2019
Tai Chi: Loss and Gain
It’s true. The older you get, the more people want to force feed you a philosophy of loss. Everything appears to dwindle, leaving whatever you were gripping to stabilize yourself, a phantom in a shadow. Sometimes the effect of this “negative advancement” is itself positive and salubrious. But even in positive circumstances this proper […]
Jun
27
2019
27
2019
4th Annual Gathering of the Masters
Heading down to LA this weekend to attend Sifu Donald Hamby’s 4th Annual Gathering of the Masters, hosted by the Traditional Chinese Martial Arts Federation. For those in the area, we highly recommend stopping by; we attended last year’s event and were pleased and delighted, not only by the great performances, but even more so […]
May
1
2019
1
2019
Mar
27
2019
27
2019
Framed!
What is “frame?” If the answer doesn’t come immediately, don’t worry—this is a concept that confuses a good segment of the martial student body. At first glance, it simply consists of standing a certain way and holding your limbs in an agreed upon configuration. Of course, people assume different shapes—but sometimes what they think of […]
Mar
12
2019
12
2019
Peasant Master
As promised last week, we are happy to announce the addition of a new biography of Chen style Tai Chi Chuan master Chen Zhenglei. This book has something for everybody interested in the topic of Tai Chi Chuan—this includes the martial artist seeking Tai Chi’s principles; the person interested in Tai chi as a health […]
Mar
3
2019
3
2019
A Chen Routine by Chen Zheng Lei
Master Chen Zheng Lei was in our area, co-sponsored by our favorite Chinese martial arts magazine, and they generously posted this 5 1/2 minute piece of performance—a beautiful and meaningful demonstration. This comes just in time (almost) for our announcement of a new recommendable biography of Chen that will come in next week to Plum. […]
Jan
19
2019
19
2019
Speed and…uh…Timing
I tell my students over and over to “go fast, but don’t hurry.” In the martial world, too early can be as bad as too late. After all, how long do you want to wait for the plane to land? On the other hand, who wants it to arrive maddeningly early? Timing is a necessity. […]
Dec
14
2018
14
2018
How Legends Grow
After 5000 years, an ocean of rumor and a mountain range of myth still proscribe the land of Kung Fu. And the stories that most attach themselves are often related to the origins of weapons. Not every weapon has a backstory and a legend. But the folk stories that accompany weapons—believable or not—range from the […]
Nov
27
2018
27
2018
The Sophistication of Simplicity
Earlier today, I had the opportunity to work with a group of beginning Tai Chi students. A few hours later, I met with another group of students in my advanced Tai Chi class. Now, relaxing at the dusty end of the day, I realize that what I had taught to these two classes was essentially […]
Oct
24
2018
24
2018
Oct
21
2018
21
2018
Bak Sil Lum Sash Event
Today there are nine new Black sashes in the martial art of Bak Sil Lum (Northern Shaolin) style. At an event hosted by Sifu Scott Jensen a contingent of his senior students were awarded black sashes, a solid rank requiring years of training. Each candidate demonstrated skills, starting with a set from the empty-handed division […]
Aug
28
2018
28
2018
Listening to the Wind: On Internal Practice
About a week ago I asked my Tai Chi class if they ever get bored doing the form. They unanimously answered “No,” their explanation being that the form always provides new material to concentrate on, things to master. This suggests that the act of repetition can be either boring or freeing, and leads me to […]
Jul
20
2018
20
2018
Tai Chi’s Long Bow
Addressing its reputed character, we get the impression that every earnest instructor tries a different approach to proclaim Tai Chi as a martial art. Considering those instructors who do try and make the point feasible, the spectrum of possible arguments is endless. For instance, one common example has the instructor picking a bystander on whom […]
