Yang Family Tai Chi Discussion Board

Hi Louis, “When Shaohou was teaching his students, indiscriminate of who they were, once they crossed hands he would strike (da shou ji da)." Imagine that teaching approach nowadays (laugh). I have to admit, all those stories of Shaohou always crack me up. I'd say that giving your student, indi...

To anyone interested, My name is Erik LaPort. I live on a beautiful little island called Koh Tao in Southern Thailand. Anyone interested in training in Yang style Taijiquan (Form or Fighting) while on vacation in my neck of the woods, feel free to e-mail me or call me at +661.170.5133. Call or e-mai...

Hi Guys, I like to think of the word "lie" as "rend". Mis-aligning the opponent's central axis or in plainer words - making the top half go one way and the bottom go the other. Although it's considered a secondary energy in the Yang style it is the primary energy for most throws....

Very thorough posts. Just for fun how do you think a rough character like Yang Shaohou would define the concept of Yin/Yang as it pertains to his fighting art? Curious.

Good Trainin - Erik

Hi Brandon, It wasn't the Ta Wen. It was a book he wrote in the mid 1920's I believe but I can't remember the name of it unfortunately. Brandon I'm not talking about becoming a thug. I'm talking about becoming a skilled martial artist in my chosen art(s) and a good representative of EVERYTHING the a...

Hi All, Are we talking about pivoting in a one legged stance (after a kick) or in a two legged stance? In a one legged stance I've always understood it like this: Pivot on the heel of the foot if - you will continue to keep the weight on the supporting leg (ie. kick with the left leg - turn - kick w...

Sorry guys, In the "asprin technique" I mentioned above I was not very clear on the footwork. If you begin in a closed stance (each of your centers is closed by the opponent; ie. your right foot forward and his right foot forward) you will need to take an initial step back with your lead (...

Hi Guys, Michael - We're on the same page, so to speak. I would never try to replace the traditional manner of training sensitivity. The practice has lasted this long in all the internal arts because it works. I'm talking about adding to it. It's a shame that many practicioners actually believe that...

Hi Guys, Here's what has worked really well for me. I like to practice push and sticky hands cooperatively such as the formal exercises, non-cooperatively working on root, the same only working on balance and mobility, and sometimes focusing on take-downs and throws. I've found that mixing it up kee...

Double Leg Take-down - The opponent will try to hold behind the knees, step between your legs beyond your base-line and leverage you down either by pulling the knees up, pushing you back with his shoulder or both. Solution - If he has you behind the knees, snap one leg back (similar to a bow stance)...

In a book that Chen Weiming wrote he stated that 'many people know how effective Taijiquan is for fighting but it's a shame no-one knows how beneficial it is to one's health' (paraphrasing 'cause I lost the book). You have to laugh at that because today it's almost the diametric opposite. The inargu...

Hi all, Frankbabyuk - you said "...as long as it works." Please define "works" in the context of a discussion about Yang Shaohou. Yang Shaohou had a reputation for being one of the meanest Taijiquan fighters in any Taiji styles' history. Are you refering to fighting ability when ...