Yang Family Tai Chi Discussion Board

DP: I suppose the Lotus Kick at the end of the Yang Cheng Fu form could be described as 'explosive'and then there is of course the Yang style fast form, I believe, though I've never seen it done and I don't think it is part of the direct legacy of Yang Cheng Fu, though I'm not sure on that point. Th...

Thanks, Louis for your reply. Indeed, it must be the case that what I have heard is Yunshou, as the Master calls out the names in Mandarin. Also, I did read 'waist' for 'wrist', even though this is the second time I have read your book and (believe it or not)I'm trying to read it more closely this t...

Thanks a lot for these comments, Louis. As the Master speaks Mandarin and calls out the names of the movements in Mandarin, I am obviously confused and thank you for pointing out what I have undoubtedly heard and for disabusing me of the putative linguistic connection! Also I misread 'waist' instead...

Louis: I've been reading your translation and commentary to Yang Cheng Fu's 'The Essence and Applications of Taijiquan'. I was particularly interested in the last paragraph of your Translator's Comments on Section Six: Single Whip. Here you say: 'A more literal translation of the final phrase would ...

Louis: many thanks for this explanation. I've always been sceptical about the term 'explosive' and even more sceptical about those who criticise some Tai Chi forms for lacking sudden 'explosive' movements and therefore lacking in fajin training, but I have never able to put my finger on why I was sc...

I agree. Why should you try? Are you dissatisfied with the long form, and if so why? Are you just trying to save time by doing a shorter form, and if so, how much? Five minutes a day, ten, fifteen? How much is that, and is the saving worth it? The Yang Cheng Fu long form is the culmination and argua...

Bob: thanks for this note. Though whether the Vikings were feared for their martial skills or just for their extreme, murderous savagery, I don't know. They certainly employed terror tactics in their invasions of Britain, such as the 'blood eagle' which involved cutting the hapless victim's chest an...

Bob, thanks for all this information. It sounds like carbon steel could be really useful. I'm also fascinated that the Viking sword proved to be the strongest. I wonder if the Vikings had martial arts skills to match? Or did they just rely on 'going berserk'? Kind regards, Simon.

Louis: thanks for these observations. Certainly, from what you say, it does seem as if there was a common source, and I agree of course that the passage is anti-violence rather than anti-sword as such. Fortunately, all the postings here demonstrate a sensible concern for maintenance within varying d...

Bob, thanks for your reply. I'm sorry to sound ignorant, but I'm completely unfamiliar with these carbon steel blades that you mention - it's the first time I've even heard of them. As well as being very hard, obviously, do they have other advantages? For instance, do they require less maintenance t...

Louis: sorry, in my last reply, I forgot to mention the translation of the Book of Chuang Tzu. It's actually from the web, and I don't know who the translation is by. Here is the link to it: http://nothingistic.org/library/chuangtzu/toc.html I used to own the Elisabeth Breuilly translation in Pengui...

Dear Bob and Louis, Thanks for your replies. I hope I can answer both your points in one reply to your both, but I'm not guaranteeing anything! The main problem is, I'm not even sure myself what I meant by those two quotations, so will only offer a few random thoughts. When I first bought a metal Ta...

MCKWU: 'Weapons are instruments of bad omen: All beings, I believe, loathe them. Therefore, whosoever has the true DAO Does not want to know about them. The noble man, in his ordinary life, considers the left the place of honour. In the art of warfare, The right is the place of honour. Weapons are i...

Frankly, I just use an ordinary metal cleaner such as Brasso, followed by wiping the blade with 3-in-one oil. It's the cheapest method and is completely effective. The Japanese kits are expensive. For really stubborn, pitted corrosion, rub the metal cleaner into the affected area with a toothbrush. ...

Roh Mih: a tip for an exercise on practising Snake Creeps Down as an isolated movement. First, with your arms loose at your sides, step forward into a bow stance and make the bow stance as long as you can without strain. Keep your back straight, arms still down by your sides. Then turn your waist th...