Repulse Like Monkey

working drawing

looking for the bigger shapes

always practicing

quiet moment

With everything in it ~

Song of Press

“How can we explain the energy of Press?

Sometimes we use two sides to directly receive a single intention.

Meeting and combining in one movement, we indirectly receive the force of the reaction.

This is like a ball bouncing off a wall, or a coin dropped on a drum, which bounces up with metallic sound.”

Squeeze

~ be like water ~

Yang Family Secret Transmissions

compiled and translated by Douglas Wile

energy lines

All these lines are paths of energy

potential places to fill with energy

places to allow energy to ebb and flow

vortex lines

lines of vortex to engage in, deflect or disappear from

The Joy of the Staff

The spear in the Tai Chi Yang Style Curriculum is as challenging as it is fun! It is often called the Spear but since I don’t have an inclination to spear or stab something or someone I prefer to call it my Staff. A staff  is for going on a long walk or it is a group of people who helps you work on something, the 5 staff lines (between spaces..) support and give meaning to musical notes and it’s also a weapon so the name Staff has a lot going for it. This long staff is crafted from the waxwood tree. It is very smooth and like the name, it’s got a sensual waxy natural finish and has little branch knobs on it like little landmarks. The staff is a really great teacher but a really tough teacher. If I hold it using my just arm strength, I’ll be done with practice in a few minutes, too tired to carry on. No, this beast demands I use my centre, my core, my legs and feet. This way practice can cruise along for a long time because the staff is supported by my whole body. I always enjoy it’s lessons.

~ I feel strong when I am playing with it right ~

The Song of Roll Back

“How can we explain the energy of Roll-Back?

We draw the opponent towards us by allowing him to advance while we follow his incoming force.

Continue drawing him in until he overexceeds,

we remain light and comfortable, without loosing our vertical posture.

When his force is spent he will naturally be empty while we maintain our center of gravity,

And can never be bested by the opponent.”

Yang Family Secret Transmissions

compiled and translated by Douglas Wile

The Song of Ward Off

“How can we explain the energy of Ward-Off?

It is like water which supports a moving boat.

First make the ch’i in the tain-t’ien substantial, then hold the head as if suspended from above.

The whole body has the power of a spring.

Opening and closeing should beclearly defined.

Even if the opponent uses a thousand pounds of force, We will float lightly and without difficulty.”

Yang Family Secret Transmissions

compiled and translated by Douglas Wile