Journal 6

Number 6 • Fall 2001

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WW ith the arrival of Fall, the YangStyle Tai Chi Chuan Seminars

continues the move in to South America. Thisyear, we anticipate 198 participants inEuropean Seminars; at the USA Seminar therewere 280 participants - the greatest number ofparticipants compared to previous years. Ibelieve that situation with Seminars in SouthAmerica will also be better than the pastyears. The achievement of such success isdue to each Seminar Center's good organizational skills; the Yang Style Tai ChiChuan Centers cooperation with each other;and their support of each of the seminars.

Results show the developing popularity OfTai Chi Chuan. During the Michigan Seminar,the International Association held theInternational Association Rank Test. TheRanking Committee included Master Yang Zhen Duo, Yang Jun, and Han HoongWang. There were not many participants, butallowed for experience and preparation forfuture tests. This was a test for practitionersof the middle level rank.

The year 2002 will be the 20th Anniversary ofthe founding of Shanxi Yang Style Tai ChiAssociation. Shanxi Association will hold aceremony to celebrate the past twenty years.The opening ceremony has been decided tobe held on July 20th. The second InternationalTournament of Traditional Yang Style Tai ChiChuan will be held July 21-23, 2002. The cere-mony will be a great meeting of Yang Style TaiChi Chuan.

The successors to the founders of variousTai Chi Chuan families will be invited to attend.They will deliver excellent performances during the ceremony. I believe the year of2002, Tai Yuan Ceremony will be a grand meeting of all styles of Tai Chi Chuan.

Activities for participants from abroad:

The activity for participants from abroad

will be organized and scheduled by theInternational Association. In theTournament, individual competitors will begrouped according to age and gender(see Tournament Regulation for moreinformation). Simultaneously, the RankTest will also be organized by theInternational Association. I believe eachcompetitor will obtain great improve-ment from the competition. TheInternational Association will organizea team of 100 foreign guests to performto add to the celebration of the ceremony.

I hope the members of theInternational Association are enthusiastic about participating inthese activities. In China, there isan old saying: Up there is Heaven;under the Heaven there is Su hang. After the gathering, thetraveling activities will commence (to be scheduled).Su Zhou and Hang Zhou willbe two of five beautiful citieswe visit.

The 2002 Ceremony willbe an important event forYang Style Family Tai ChiChuan. It will also be themain priority for theInternational Association.On behalf of Shanxi YangStyle Tai Chi ChuanAssociation, InternationalYang Style Tai Chi ChuanAssociation, and myGrandfather, I sincerelyinvite all Tai Chi enthusiasts to gather in Tai Yuan for a trip to China. ❂

Yang JunPresident

Translated by Felix Jih

EDITOR-IN-CHIEFYang Jun

EDITORDave Barrett

CONTRIBUTORSDave Barrett

George FeldmanFelix JihYang Jun

Jerry KarinMichel Tremblay

GRAPHIC DESIGNMarco Gagnon

All Tai Chi Chuan euthusiasts are invited

to submit articles, letters, and pictures for publication.

Both critical and complimentaryletters concerning the form

and content of this newsletter are welcome.

Please send correspondence inelectronic format to:

[email protected] mail to:

International Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan Association

280 Newport Way NW, Suite B14Issaquah, WA

98027 USA

© All rights reserved. Any reproduction without

permission is strictly prohibited.

PRINTED IN CANADA

Printed on Recycled Paper

W W W . Y A N G F A M I L Y T A I C H I . C O M

Fall 2000

Dear member

Welcome toTaiyuan


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I N V I T A T I O N T O T H E

2nd International Invitational Tournamentand the 20th Anniversary Celebration of the

Shanxi Yang Style Tai Chi ChuanAssociation

J U L Y 2 0 T H - 2 3 R D , 2 0 0 2 , T A I Y U A N , S H A N X I P R O V I N C E , P . R . C .

IIInternational Members of the Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan

Association:

Ladies and Gentlemen, Pleaseaccept our warm greetings fromthe Shanxi Yang Style Tai ChiAssociation.

Since it’s founding in 1982, the Shanxi Yang Style Tai ChiAssociation, with the goal of popularizing Tai Chi Chuan andpromoting friendship and cooperation among the various Tai Chi Chuan schools at home andabroad, has held 13 Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan Tournaments. Inaddition, the 10th and 15th

Anniversary Celebrations of theA s s o c i a t i o n a n d t h e 1st International InvitationalTraditional Yang Style Tai ChiChuan Tournament have beenorganized. Tai Chi Chuan practi-tioners and enthusiasts from 27 countries the world over havecome to Shanxi and participated inthese activities, arousing greaterinterest among the lovers of Tai Chi Chuan both at home andabroad. With the number of foreign Tai Chi Chuan enthusiastscoming to the events we haveorganized increasing year by year,the popularity of our Association

and Tai Chi Chuan has grown theworld over.

The Year 2002 will witness the20th Anniversary Day of the founding of the Shanxi Yang StyleTai Chi Association. In order tocelebrate this happy occasion it is decided by the Association that the 2nd InternationalInvitational Tournament and the20th Anniversary CelebrationCeremony of the founding of theShanxi Yang Style Tai ChiAssociation be held between July20th and 23rd 2002, in Taiyuan.

Successors to the various Tai ChiChuan schools i n C h i n a , dignitaries,masters andpractitionersof Tai ChiChuan fromboth homeand abroadare invited toassemble inTaiyuan for thisgrand meeting.At the openingceremony on July20th, a program of entertainment w i l l p r e s e n t

practitioners from all over theworld, demonstrations and performances by outstandingmasters from various Tai ChiChuan traditions. After two days ofcompetitions the prize awardingceremony will be solemnly held toissue prizes to the winners of theTournament. Symposiums, lectures,and trainings will also be organizedduring the meeting period.

Tai Chi Chuan enthusiasts fromboth home and abroad are mostheartily welcome to this grandmeeting.

Respectfully,The Shanxi Yang Style Tai ChiAssociation. ❂

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1. TIME AND PLACE

July 20 to 23, 2002Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, P.R.C.

2.ITEMS:

1. GROUP COMPETITION:

A.Traditional Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan(49 Competition Form)

B.Traditional Yang Style Tai Chi SwordForm

2. INDIVIDUAL COMPETITION:

International Competitors:



C. Traditional Yang Style Tai Chi SaberForm

D.Individual all around skills

Domestic Competitors:



C. Traditional Yang Style Tai Chi SaberForm

D.Individual all around skills

3. RULES FOR PARTICIPATION

1. Members of the International Yang StyleTai Chi Chuan Association, Members ofthe Shanxi Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan

Associations, and enthusiasts ofTraditional Yang Style Tai Chi Chuanare all entitled to participate in thetournament either as a group orindividual. Contestants will beorganized according to their different conditions.

2. Individual competitors will begrouped according to age andsex. Those who are 35 andunder will be in the YouthGroup, those who are 36 to 54will be in the middle agegroup, and those who are 55 and older will be in thesenior group

3. Those Shanxi practitionerswho have been chosen in the 2001 QualifyingCompetition will partici-pate in the InternationalCompetition. The OtherShanxi players will participate in theDomestic Competition.All foreign playersand Chinese playersfrom other provinceswill participate in the InternationalCompetition.

4. The number of teammembers must not beless than six to qualifyfor group competition.

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BOARD OF DIRECTORSYang Zhen Duo

Chairman

Yang JunPresident

ADVISORY BOARDJerry Karin

V.P.

Mei Mei TeoV.P.

Pat RiceAdviser

Fang HongSecretary

Marco Gagnon Department of Outreach

and [email protected]

Jerry KarinWebmaster

[email protected]

Dave BarrettNewsletter Editor

[email protected]

Horacio LopezDepartment of Training Standards

[email protected]

Han Hoong WangDepartment of Membership Services

[email protected]

Bill WalshDepartment of Public Relations

[email protected]

Mei Mei TeoDepartment of European [email protected]

INTERNATIONAL YANG STYLE TAI CHI CHUAN ASSOCIATIONThe International Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan

Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of Traditional

Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan.

USA280 Newport Way NW B14

Issaquah, WA 98027USA

Tel.: (425) 369-8841

CHINANo. 10 Wu Cheng West StreetTaiyuan, Shanxi P.R.C. 030006

Tel.: 86-351-7042713

EUROPEOrnstigen 1, 18350 Taby,

Sweden Tel.: +46-8-201800


THE

TournamentRegulations

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Ni HaoHello

Xie XieThank you

NanMan

NuWoman

Ce SuoRestroom

Chu ze CheTaxi

Fan DianRestaurant

Bing GuanHotel

Wo Bu Dong Zhong WenI don’t speak Chinese

Ni Jiang Ying Wen MaDo you speak English?

CHINESE

PHRASES


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5. All participants must have validID cards to facilitate groupingand identification.

4. RULES OF COMPETITION:

1. Competitors must use the 49movement Form for competition.

2. Time limits for competition:

• 49 Form Tai Chi Chuan: 7 to 8 minutes

• Sword Form: 3 to 4 minutes• Saber Form: 1 to 2 minutes

3. The order of entering the arenawill be decided by drawing lotsand arranged by the organizingcommittee

5. AWARDS AND PRIZES:

1. Group Competition: Honor Cup and Certificate for thetop team, Certificates for Teamsplacing 2nd through 6th.

2. Individual Competitors: The first six winners in each of their respective age and sex groups will be awarded as follows:

• Gold medal and Certificate forfirst place

• Silver medal and Certificatefor second place

• Brass medal and Certificatefor third place

• Certificates for places fourthrough six.

3. The winners of the individual allaround skills competition will bedetermined by their combinedscore in hand, sword and saberforms.

6. GARMENTS AND WEAPONS:

1. Tai Chi Chuan Competition garments are required for each player.

2. Players are responsible for providing their own weapons

3. Arenas and equipments should allaccord with tournament rules

7. JUDGING:

1. Competition will strictly followrules established by The ChineseAcademy of Martial Arts in 1996.

2. Judging will be organized by thecompetition department of theorganizing committee

3. There will be a Chief Judge,deputy chief judge and headjudges positioned for each event.

8. TOURNAMENT FEES:

1. Management fee will be $50 foreach participant.

2. A $5 fee for each event enteredwill also apply

9. APPLICATIONS:

1. All participating teams and individuals are required to file thewritten application forms

2. International Players send theirapplications to The InternationalYang Style Tai Chi ChuanAssociation, 280 Newport WayNW # B14, Issaquah, Wa, 98027U.S.A.

3. Applications should be receivedby May 31st, 2002 ❂

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UsefulChinesePhrases

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Shift your weight back slightly. Lead the motion with your waist. Useyour left heel as a pivot to turn yourleft toe inwards.

Shift your weight to your left side.At the same time flatten out yourhook hand and sit your right wrist.

As you turn your body tothe left, use your waistto rotate your hands.

Shift your weight back, at thesame time circle your armsdownward.

Continue your circles until your armsare closed in front of your body. Theweight is all in your left leg.

Pick up your right foot, rotateyour waist and hip, and turnyour right toe in 45'. This is astep, not a rotation of the foot.

by Yang JunEnglish editing by George Feldman


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Continue moving your weight to your leftside. Pick up your right leg,and keep yourarms open. Keep your right arm in front ofyou and slightly higher than your left arm.Remember to sink your chest.

Raise hands and step up: After closing your arms, your palms

are facing slightly downward. Keep your armpits open, and your

hands are in the center of your body.

Your arms should followthe turning of your waist

and close in front ofyour body. Remember

that the front leg in theempty step still hassome weight in it

(aprox. 30%) and thatyour body is open to the

left with your palmsopen facing the center

line.

Step straight forwardwith your right foot

and touch with your heel.

In the empty step yourfeet are on the center

line. About 30% of yourweight will be one the

empty leg. Aproximately70 % of your weight will

be in your full leg.

At the same time as you shift yourweight to your right foot and bring inyour left foot, use your right arm toward off up and your left arm to push down.

Step straight forward with your left foot and touchwith the ball of the foot. Keep your shoulder downand your elbow down, while you ward off upwardswith your right arm. Make sure it is rounded andextended.

Push downward with your left palm.Make sure the palm is down, the fingersare extended, and your elbow staysback. Square your torso to the front.

This is thefront view ofWhite CraneSpreads ItsWings.

☛next page

30%

70%

If your opponent is pushing in with boththeir arms, you use White Crane Spreads Its

Wings by circling your hands around soone of your hands is below one arm and the

other hand is above their other arm.


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With the turning your waist, rotate your rightarm palm in and make a downward circle.Start an upward circle with your left hand atthe same time.

Follow you waist's turning by rotatingyour left hand in an upward circle andyour right hand in a downward circle.Move your weight back at the sametime.

Shift your weight forwardand pick up your right leg.

When you change from the bow step (feet shoulder withapart) to the empty step (feet on either side of the centerline), bring your right foot in. Keep your right toe facing thecorner. Prepare your right hand for a grabbing motion.

Shift your weightback and turnyour body to theright.

Follow the turning of yourwaist with your right armand pull it towards yourbody. Sit the palm of yourleft arm and bend it slightly.

Continue your circles until your leftpalm is extended and flat in front ofyour body and your right palm isextended to the back right. Step for-ward at the same time.


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Start shifting your weight forward while youmake a large circle across you body with yourleft arm. The arm descends slightly during thiscircle. Meanwhile, bring your right arm into aready position with your palm facing forward.

Continue to shift your weight forward,pull down with your left arm, andstrike forward with your right palm.

Simultaneously lift your left arm up and push downwith your right arm. Your palms are sitting slightlyand facing inwards. They are on the center line.Point at the middle of your left forearm with yourright fingers.

Circle downward with you right arm andupward with your left arm. Continuethrough the end of the brush knee step.

Keep turning yourbody and moveyour weight toyour right leg.

Turn your body tothe right, rotate your

right arm and sityour left arm.

Make and empty stepwith your left heeltouching.

Finish shifting weight to the left leg.Your body will be squared to the front,Your left arm finishes beside your leftknee with the palm down and the fin-gers facing forward.

Your right arm is directly in front of yourbody and the palm is facing slightlyinwards. Your back leg is naturally straight,and you should lean forward slightly withyou upper body.

I would like to thank Michel Tremblay from the Montreal center for his help in the demonstration photos.


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Building a StrongFoundationStance Work in Tai Chi Chuan Practice

TThis July when the Masterswere in Portland, Oregon for

the Seminar, they were kind enoughto agree to an interview after a busyday of teaching. We ended up talking for over two hours. The firstpart of the conversation concernedthe ethical values of the ChineseMartial Traditions in general and Tai Chi Chuan in particular. This discussion will be featured in ournext issue.

The second topic of our conversationwas more technical in nature, dealing specifically with foot work,leg training and stance work. As astarting point for this discussion Imentioned that Yang Laoshi hadwritten at length concerning thistopic in his most recent book. Hereis an excerpt from his book to setthe stage and then our conversationfollows.

“When you make a bow step, asthe weight shifts from one foot tothe other, you should pay attentionto the symmetrical arrangement ofthe two opposing forces - one legpushing and the other pushing backor resisting. Whether the front legis pushing backward and the backleg resisting, or the back leg is

pushing forward and the front legresisting, the forces must be coordi-nated, so as to avoid pushing outtoo hard or resisting too hard, orpushing out emptily without anycompensating resistance. I hopeyou will work hard to incorporatethis point in your form.

If you can achieve just the rightbalance in this, it will create favorable conditions for upper and

lower body to work in concert during transitional moves. Whenextending the weighted leg to itsultimate position in a bow step, justas in the extension of an arm,extend until it is almost fullyextended but not quite. If you over-extend then it becomes forcedand looks stiff. If the back leg isbent too much, the pushing forcecannot come out, and it will seem asif you have a lot of power but can'tuse it.

The resistance of the empty leggoes through a process of gradualengagement. First touch the floorwith the heel, continue by allowingthe flat of the foot to touch, then thetoes grab the floor, and then let theknee bend forward, letting thebending knee and shin slightlyincline forward and increasing theresistance from the front leg so asnot to allow the knee to pass the toe.

This way, with one leg pushingand one leg resisting, neither forcesubsiding or becoming too strong,the lower body will become a greatdeal stronger and more stable. Notethat if the knee and shin of the forward leg are standing perpendicularto the ground then it is hard to

An Interview with Masters Yang Zhenduo and Yang Jun

CONDUCTED BY DAVE BARRETT, TRANSLATED BY JERRY KARIN

« If the foundation is good

the upper body will be fine »

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utilize the resisting force and theback leg won't be able developpower in its push forward. If theknee goes past the toe, you'll loseyour balance and the back leg againwon't be able to develop muchpower. Only when you make theknee and shin slightly incline forward, with the knee not goingpast the toe, can you thoroughly getthe full strength of two forces, pushing out and resisting, to comeinto play…. The key to achievingwhole-body coordination lies in thepushing and resisting of the two legs.Try to become aware of this in yourpractice”.

DB: I’d like to ask you about the correct method for balancing thestrength expressed in the lowerbody. In your recent book you mentioned that the balance of oppositional forces of pushing andresisting in the stance work is animportant factor in creating a stablebody frame. Could you explain howthis is done?

YZD: This is a good question. In ourtheory we have the requirement thatthe root is in the foot. This is thebasis for the foundation. If the foundation is good the upper bodywill be fine. If the foundation is nogood, the upper body cannot be stable. Just like building a house: ifthe foundation work is not right, theupper structures will be unstable.

It is necessary to focus on the stability of the lower body when wepractice Tai Chi Chuan

For example: If you don’t have yourfeet shoulder width in the bow step,there’s no way to be stable and it’shard to perform the motions correctly.I really think that the lower body isextremely important and the require-ments should really begin withorganizing the stance work. If thereis something wrong with the upperbody, most probably you need toexamine the lower body for thecause. If the bottom is correct, thetorso and the arms will be better.Like anything, you proceed step bystep: if you can’t get the basics

correct and then you require something of the upper body, nothingcan be done if the bottom is no good,you can’t coordinate. So it all startsfrom the foundation, this is important.Just like the way we develop as people: our personality should havefundamental qualities of fairness andcompassion; these are real basicsthat provide for the development ofthe individual.

The most basic aspect of stancework is the relationship betweendeng and cheng (pushing and resisting). If you don’t have this relationship of pushing and resisting,it’s very easy for the body to go offleaning one way or another. One’sequilibrium is affected and can beeasily led or taken advantage of.When you practice incorrectly, youwill feel it is kind of empty, it seemslike the root is not solid. There is asaying, " Rooted in the feet, devel-oped in the legs, controlled by thewaist, and manifested through thelimbs." So it starts from the feet, thereis an order of precedence, if youdon’t do it this way it’s all mixed up.

DB: Talking specifically about thefeet: When the heel goes down andthe weight begins to shift, do thetoes need to grab the ground andcreate the oppositional force?

YZD: When you engage your toes it’sjust like anything: you can’t over doit. If you have no contact from thetoes it’s no good, and if the toes areused too much it’s not right either.Many things are like this, you have touse an appropriate amount of force.Maybe if I try too hard, there’s noneed for that. It’s always like this: notto have is incorrect, and to be excessive is not right either. So youshould use the 10 Essentials: relaxand extend, not too soft or too stiff,one needs to find the balance inbetween.

In general you should make theessential refinements appropriatelyand not to an extreme. Our predecessors have formulated theseprinciple requirements. These have

helped us to avoid so many deadends in our practice. They require usto put a great deal of effort into ourstudy, to use practical experiencesto integrate the theory into our form.Even though they are general refinements, they are very, very richin content.

For example: the requirements forthe hand. It says extend the palmand curve the fingers. This reallyrequires an integration of stancework, torso positioning, and correctextension of the arms. This questionreally contains so much practicalexperience: when I stand the palmup, how should I do it correctly?Over the past few days I’ve noticed agood deal of variation in the palmpositions of the students. Everybodysays they are standing the palm, butthere are not too many who aredoing it correctly. So we are goingthrough a learning process. Whenyou study the form you can’t just stopand say, " I’ve got it now." We need tolearn, become aware, gain practicalexperience, and then practice moreand a little more. Through all theserepetitions gradually one becomesmore skillful. It’s not sufficient tolook at the Essentials and say, " Itsays to do this, now I’ve got it, I canread it and that’s enough." Eventhough these Essentials have helpedus enormously, it’s not enough. Theindividual needs to practice andsearch for them, to perfect themotions.

DB: I’d like to focus on just one morepoint. The formula states, " Rooted inthe feet, developed in the legs."Many students understand theimportance of turning the waist butperhaps not so many are aware ofdeveloping the motion in the legs.Specifically the action of the knee: itseems that the knee needs to trans-fer body weight but many peoplehold body weight in the knee andend up injuring this area. So howcan we develop the motion in the legand protect the knee at the sametime?

YZD: The knee has the function of

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connecting the upper and lower leg.Of course this joint is very essential.The formula mentions the entire leg,but just like when the arm is dis-cussed it is actually several pieces.In the same way the knee is theessential part of the lower bodystructure. Its function is to connectthe bottom and upper parts of theframe. If you use the knee correctlyyou can connect the upper andlower parts of the leg. If it is not cor-rect, for example in the bow stance ifthe forward knee extends beyond thetoes, the knee can’t perform it’s func-tion properly. You lose the function.So as with everything, there is a def-inite degree that is appropriate. Notonly the knees, for example if we saythe waist is the commander, if youdon’t connect the legs correctly eventhough you have this commandingfeature of the waist, without theproper arrangement of the structureabove and below, it won’t work. Itcan’t do it by itself. Very few peoplepay close attention to the bodyarrangement principles, some don’teven know that the motions requiresthese essential refinements, and ifyou don’t make these changes howcan the waist operate correctly?The same goes for the knees.Although they have a type of control-ling force, without coordinating theupper and lower portions of thestance they can’t work

Throughout the course of ourtraining there is a kind of realizationthat comes with practice. For example: if you are a leader or bossat work, it’s not just you. If it was justyou that would be fine but the problem is there is always someoneabove or below you. So Tai Chi practice can give you some inspiration:I have to have managed coordinationbut without the bottom below meoperating efficiently to help me, itwon’t work out. Throughout thistraining I need to understand that Ineed to be very diligent, if I do some-thing I have to do it carefully. Weemphasize that there must be endingpositions for each motion sequence.Every form has a final position, so toocan this be applied to our work life,the idea is the same.

YJ: I’d like to add a point about thelegwork, specifically, where one’senergy comes from during the Fajingtechniques. A part of the powercomes from the contracting andexpanding of the leg muscles and theshifting of the body weight. Anotherpart of the strength comes from therotation of the waist. These combinedareas produce the refined energyexpressed as Jing. The root of Fajinghowever is in the footwork. Thereare other requirements, of course,and if you use these principles cor-rectly you can amplify the power. So" rooted in the feet, developed in thelegs" is only a part of this process,how you shift the weight in a coordi-nated fashion is also important. Somany people read, "Upper and lowercombined and coordinated", but theydon’t quite understand how criticalthis requirement is. The intent of thetechnique and the body weight mustarrive at the same time. It’s not thateasy. When you move, the wholebody must be coordinated, only thenwill you be able to focus, deliver, andemit energy through one place. Sothe whole body works together tostrengthen the emission process.

YZD: It is not just an isolated part ofthe body or the coordination of themotion; one must also harmonize themind to be a part of this entireprocess.

YJ: If we isolate the motions andpractice single applications over andover, one can experience even moreclearly the need to coordinate inorder to make the energy developcorrectly. For example: in staff train-ing it’s very easy to see how coordi-nating the body will allow the energyto manifest correctly at the oppositeend of the staff. If the coordinationsare incorrect, the energy will bespread out and unfocused. Thesame applies to the sword form, ifyou know how to do this then theenergy will travel to the tip.

YZD: It’s very clear, whether you or Ior she practices in this way. Eventhough we perform the same motion,there seems to be some difference.Even though we say it should all be

the same, there are so many variables in the personal expressionof the forms.

DB: Many people when they beginstudying Tai Chi are so enchanted bythe handwork they neglect thestances and leg work. Hopefully thisdiscussion will alert students thatthey need to pay attention to thefoundation first.

YZD: The handwork, just look at thehand shape, not even the applicationof techniques, the shape of the handis quite difficult. To get it just right, ifyou do it correctly then all of yourstrength can come out through there,the hand is where it comes out, theultimate display of energy is in thehand. When we look at the studentstheir hand positions are not quiteclear or clean, it’s hard to expressthe Qi correctly.

DB: This is a topic for another interview! Thank you both for takingthe time to talk with us.

YZD: One more thing about thehands: It’s not only the energy that isexpressed, but ultimately Spirit thatcomes out. If you get it right, Energy,Spirit and Essence are present in thehandwork. (As he was making theseremarks Yang Laoshi suddenly satupright with his eyes blazing andpresented the crispest and cleaneststanding palm I’ve ever seen himmake, the transformation was startling and the energy expressed inthis instant was electric.)

DB: I would love to talk with you atlength about this topic but we haveimposed too much on your time thisevening.

YZD: I’m very happy to be able to sithere and explore these basic ideas.This is very, very good; anytime wecan do it again I look forward to it.So that we can raise the level of thegeneral group, whether concreteaspects or general theory, let’s dothis again. We can’t just practice theform, we need to use theory toenable and enrich our practice. ❂

by MichelTremblayCenter Director in St-Jean, Canada

6. UTILISER L’INTENTIONET NON LA FORCE.

On peut lire dans les Classiques du taiji : «C’est une affaire d’intention et non deforce». Lorsque vous pratiquez le Taijiquan,favoriser la détente et l’expansion de toutle corps. N’utilisez pas la moindre parcellede force brute qui engendre-rait une obtu-ration au niveau musculo-squelettique oucirculatoire qui vous restreindra ou vousinhibera vous-mêmes. Alors seulementvous serez en mesure d’effectuer deschangements et des transformations aveclégèreté et agilité et des rotations de façonnaturelle. Certains s’interrogent : si on n’utilise pas de force, comment peut-ongénérer de la force? Le réseau de méridiensd’acupuncture qui parcourent le corps sontcomme des cours d’eau à la surface de laterre. Si ces cours d’eau ne sont pas bloqués, l’eau circule; si les méridiens nesont pas obstrués, le Chi circule. Si vousbougez avec force et raideur, l’énergiedans les méridiens est stagnante, le chi etle sang sont obstrués, les mouvements nepeuvent être agiles; tout ce qu’on a à faire,c’est de vous montrer le chemin et toutvotre corps suivra. Si vous utiliser l’inten-tion et non la force, là où votre intention va,le chi va. Ainsi -- parce que le chi et le sangcoulent, circulant quotidiennement au traverstout le corps, sans jamais stagner – avecbeaucoup de pratique, vous développerezla véritable force interne. Un réel adeptedu taiji semble avoir des bras de fer recou-verts de soie, immensément lourds. Celuiqui pratique les arts externes semble trèspuissant lorsqu’il utilise la force. Maislorsqu’il n’utilise pas la force, il est trèsléger et flotte. C’est ainsi que nous pouvonsnous rendre compte que sa force est effec-tivement externe, ou superficielle. La forced’un pratiquant d’arts martiaux externesest particulièrement facile à contrôler et àdévier, elle n’a donc pas grande valeur.

7. SYNCHRONISEZ LAPARTIE SUPÉRIEUREET INFÉRIEURE DUCORPS.

Dans les Classiques du taiji « Synchronisezla partie supérieure et inférieure du corps »est exprimez de la façon suivante : « Avecles racines dans les pieds, lancé par lesjambes, dirigé par la taille, se manifestantdans les mains et les doigts – des pieds,aux jambes, à la taille - complétez chaquemouvement en une seule impulsion** ».Lorsque les mains bougent, la taille bougeet les jambes bougent, et le regard lesaccompagne. Alors seulement peut-on direque le haut et le bas du corps sont synchronisés. Si une partie ne bouge pas,elle n’est donc pas synchronisée avec lereste.

8. HARMONISEZ L’INTÉRIEUR ET L’EXTÉRIEUR.

Ce que l’on pratique en taiji dépend de l’esprit, d’où le dicton «L’esprit est legénéral, et le corps constitue ses troupes».Si vous pouvez mobiliser votre esprit, vosmouvements seront naturellement légerset agiles, la forme ne sera rien de plusqu’une alternance de vide et de plein, d’ouverture et de fermeture. « Ouvert » nesignifie pas seulement ouvrir les bras oules jambes; l’intention mentale doit s’ouvrirparallèlement aux membres. « Fermer » nesignifie pas seulement fermer les bras etles jambes; l’intention mentale doit se fermer parallèlement aux membres. Si l’intérieur et l’extérieur s’unissent en uneseule impulsion**, ils deviennent un toutindissociable.

9. CONTINUELLE ETSANS INTERRUPTION(LA PRATIQUE).

La force, dans les arts martiaux externes,est une sorte de force acquise, brute, doncelle a un début et une fin, un temps où ellese déroule et un temps où elle s’interrompt,de sorte que lorsque la vieille force estépuisée, la nouvelle force ne s’est pasencore amorcée, ce qui constitue unmoment où il est extrêmement facile d’êtresubjugué par un adversaire. En taiji, on préconise l’intention et non la force et, dudébut à la fin, de façon douce et continue,on complète un cycle en revenant au pointde départ, les mouvements circulairess’enchaînent de façon ininterrompue. C’estce à quoi les Classiques du taiji fontréférence dans : « Comme le fleuveYangtse ou le fleuve Jaune, qui coulentcontinuellement et sans cesse ». Ouencore : « Déployer la force, c’est commetirer le fil de soie du cocon ». Ces deux citations se réfèrent à la nécessité de toutrelier en une seule impulsion*.

10.CHERCHER LA QUIÉTUDE DANS LE MOUVEMENT.

Les pratiquants d’arts externes valorisentl’habileté de bondir et de s’immobiliser etils recommencent jusqu’à ce que leur souffle(chi) et leur force soient épuisés et ils terminentleur pratique à bout de souffle. En taiji, onfavorise la quiétude pour vaincre le mouve-ment, et même dans le mouvement, il y a dela quiétude. Ainsi, lorsque vous pratiquez laforme, plus c’est lent, mieux c’est ! Lorsquevous pratiquez lentement votre respirationdevient profonde et longue, le chi descendau champ du cinabre (dan tien) et,naturellement, il n’y a pas de contractionou de expansion nuisibles des vaisseauxsanguins. Si l’étudiant s’appliquesoigneusement, il peut espérer percer lesens de ces mots.

DEUXIÈME PARTIE (suite)37. Séparer le pied droit.38. Séparer le pied gauche.39. Tourner et coup de talon gauche.40. Brosser le genou gauche et pousser.41. Brosser le genou droit et pousser.42. Avancer et coup de poing vers le bas.43. Tourner et frapper avec le dos du poing.44. Avancer, dévier vers le bas,

parer et coup de poing.45. (Parer à gauche) Coup de talon droit. 46. Frapper le tigre à gauche.47. Frapper le tigre à droite.48. Tourner et coup de talon droit.49. Double coup de poing aux oreilles.50. Coup de talon gauche.51. Tourner de 360o et coup de talon droit.52. Avancer, dévier vers le bas,

parer et coup de poing.53. Fermeture apparente.54. Croiser les mains.

TROISIÈME PARTIE

55. Étreindre le tigre et le reporter à la montagne.

56. Simple fouet en diagonal.57. Séparer la crinière du cheval (droit).58. Séparer la crinière du cheval (gauche).59. Séparer la crinière du cheval (droit).60. (Parer à gauche) Saisir la queue de l'oiseau.61. Simple fouet.62. La fille de jade lance la navette aux quatre

coins.63. (Parer à gauche) Saisir la queue de l'oiseau.64. Simple fouet.65. Mouvoir les mains comme

les nuages des deux côtés.66. Mouvoir les mains comme


les nuages des deux côtés.68. Simple fouet.69. Pousser vers le bas.70.Le coq d'or se tient sur une patte (droit).71. Le coq d'or se tient sur une patte (gauche).72. Reculer et repousser le singe (droit).73. Reculer et repousser le singe (gauche).74. Reculer et repousser le singe (droit).75. Vol en diagonal.76. Élever les mains.77. La grue blanche déploie ses ailes.78. Brosser le genou gauche et pousser.79. L'aiguille au fond de la mer.80. Bras en éventail.81. Tourner, le serpent blanc darde sa langue.82. Avancer, dévier vers le bas,

parer et coup de poing.83. (Parer à gauche) Avancer et saisir la queue

de l'oiseau.84. Simple fouet.85. Mouvoir les mains comme



les nuages des deux côtés.88. Simple fouet.89. Caresser l'encolure du cheval et

la main qui perse.90. Croiser les jambes

(tourner et coup de talon droit).91. Avancer et coup de poing au bas ventre.92. (Parer à gauche) Avancer et tirer la queue

de l'oiseau.93. Simple fouet.94. Pousser vers le bas.95. Avancer et former les sept étoiles.96. Reculer et chevaucher le tigre.97. Tourner et coup de pied lotus.98. Tendre l'arc et tirer le tigre.99. Avancer, dévier vers le bas,

parer et coup de poing.100. Fermeture apparente.101. Croiser les mains.102. Position de fermeture.103.Terminer la forme

LES DIX PRINCIPES ESSENTIELS DU TAI CHI CHUANÉnoncés par Yang Chengfu, écrits par Chen Weiming

L’ENCHAÎNEMENT DES 103 MOUVEMENTS -- (suite)

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** Littéralement : « un chi ». On pourraitégalement le traduire par un seul « souffle ».


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by Dave Barrett

TAI CHI Adventure in

China J U L Y 2 0 0 2

TTThe Association has puttogether an exciting program

of activities for the July 2002Celebration and Tournament inTaiyuan. We hope you will makeyour plans early to join us for thesespecial events. This will be a trulyunique opportunity to participate ina grand exchange of Tai Chi Chuanplayers from all over the World.

The Anniversary Celebrationevents in Taiyuan will include international demonstrations andexhibitions. Leading exponents ofthe major Tai Chi Chuan traditionswill perform at the openingCeremony, this will be a fascinatingdisplay of the highest levels ofexpertise. Groups from theInternational Association will beinvited to present displays of culturalactivities from their respectiveregions and above all, Tai Chi enthusiasts will enjoy sharing theirlove of the art with friends from theworld over.

The Invitational Tournament isopen to all who wish to test theirskill levels and receive evaluationsfrom judges trained in theTraditional Yang Family Style.Members may receive ranking levels based on their performancescores. The Tournament providesan important opportunity to improveand develop greater understanding,and those who do not wish to compete are welcome to study and

learn at evening lectures andteaching sessions. During the fourdays of the celebration and competition, trips to local culturalsites will be offered and socialactivities for relaxation and recreation will take place.

After the Tournament concludeson July 23rd, members have achoice of plans. Those who maywish to return to Beijing and thenhome will be departing Taiyuan onJuly 24th. This travel plan is lessexpensive and will appeal to thosewhose time and budget may be limited.

If you would like to stay in Chinafor five more days, you will have awonderful opportunity to travel withMasters Yang Zhenduo and YangJun through some of the mostfamous and scenic locations inChina. This part of the tour is acombination of Tai Chi study andtraining, observing and meetinglocal Tai Chi groups and sight seeing.

Early mornings will be trainingperiods with the Masters; we willalso be meeting Tai Chi groups toexchange forms and friendship.Afternoons will be for touring andevenings will be spent relaxing andenjoying social activities.

Please make your plans to join us forthis great adventure!

Beijing

Taiyuan

Pingyao

Hangzhou

Shanghai


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INTERNATIONAL YANG STYLE TAI CHI CHUAN ASSOCIATION280 Newport Way NW #B14, Issaquah, WA 98027, USA

Yes, I wish to become amember of theInternational Yang StyleTai Chi Chuan Association

Yes, I wish to receivecopies of Tai Chi ChuanNewsletter

Yes, I wish to receive a10% discount on Seminartuition

Yes, I wish to receive a discount on Associationproducts

Yes, I wish to be eligiblefor ranking

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Address: __________________________________________________________________

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P.C.: _______________________________ Country: ______________________________

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Please check method of payment and membership type.

Cheque ❑ Visa ❑ MC ❑Individual: $30❑ Renewal $25 ❑Family: $45 ❑ Renewal: $35 ❑ Senior: $25 ❑ Renewal: $20 ❑Card #: _______________________________

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Exp. Date: _____________________________

Signature:______________________________

✁

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Individual Membership Application

Turn this completed form into your Center Director, or mail to the Association address listed below. "Please allow up to 6 weeks for processing of new memberships."

first year

first year

first year

Traditional Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan 49 Form

Yu bei shi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Prepare1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Qi shi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Opening2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lan que wei. . . . . . . . . . . . . Grasp the Bird’s Tail3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dan bian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Single Whip4 . . . . . . . . . Zuo you yun shou . . . Wave Hands Like Clouds, three5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dan bian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Single Whip6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gao tan ma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . High Pat on Horse7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . You fen jiao . . . . . . . . . . . Right Separation Kick8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Zuo fen jiao . . . . . . . . . . . . Left Separation Kick9. . . Zhuan shen zuo deng jiao . . . . . . . . Turn Body, Left Heel Kick10 . . . . . . . . . Zuo lou xi ao bu . . . . . . . . Left Brush Knee and Push11 . . . . . . . . . . . Shou hui pipa . . . . . . . . . . . Hands Strum the Lute12. . Gao tan ma chuan zhang . . . High Pat on Horse, Thrust Palm13. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shi zi tui . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cross Kick14 . . . . . . . . . . . Zuo da hu shi . . . . . . . . . . . . . Strike the Tiger Left15 . . . . . . . . . . . You da hu shi . . . . . . . . . . . . Strike the Tiger Right16 . . . Hui shen you deng jiao . . . . . Turn Body to Right Heel Kick17 . . . . . Shuang feng guan er . . . Strike opponent with both fists18 . . . . . . . . . . . Zuo deng jiao . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Left Heel Kick19 . Zhuan shen pie shen chui . . . . . Turn Body and Chop with Fist20. . . . . . Jin bu zhi dang chui . . . . . . . . . Step Forward and Punch

to the Groin21 . . . . . . . . . . . . Ru feng si bi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Apparent Close-up22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shi zi shou . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cross Hands23 . . . . . . . . . Bao hu gui shan . . . . . . . . . . Embrace the Tiger and

Return to Mountain24 . . . . . . . . . . . . Xie dan bian . . . . . . . . . . . Diagonal Single Whip25 . . . . . . . . . Zhou di kan chui . . . . . . . . . . Punch Under the Elbow26. . . . . . . . . . . . You jin ji du li. . . Rooster Stands on One Leg, one

27 . . . . . . . . . . . Zuo jin ji du li . . Rooster Stands on One Leg, two 28. . . . . . . . . . . . Dao nian hou . . . . . . . . . . Step Back and Repulse

the Monkey, one

29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Xie fei shi. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Diagonal Flying

30 . . . . . . . . Ti shou shang shi . . . . . . . . . . Lift Hands and Step Up

31. . . . . . . . . . Bai he liang chi . . . White Crane Spreads its Wings

32 . . . . . . . . . Zuo lou xi ao bu . . . . . . . . Left Brush Knee and Push

33. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hai di zhen . . . . . . . . Needle at the Sea Bottom

34 . . . . . . . . . . . Shan tong bei . . . . . . . . . . . Fan Through the Back

35 . Zhuan shen bai she tu xin . . . . . . . . . Turn Body, White Snake Spits Out its Tongue

36 . . . . . . . . . . Jin bu zai chui . . . Step Forward and Punch Down

37 . . . . . . . . . . Ye ma fen zong . . . Parting the Wild Horse's Mane

38 . . . . . . . . . Yu nu chuan suo . . . . . . Fair Lady Works at Shuttles

39 . . . . . . . . . . . . Lan que wei. . . . . . . . . . . . . Grasp the Bird’s Tail

40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dan bian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Single Whip

41 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Xia shi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Push Down

42 . . . . . . . . . Shang bu qi xing . . . . . Step Forward to Seven Stars

43. . . . . . . . . . . . Tui bu kau hu . . . . . . Step Back to Ride the Tiger

44 . . . . . . Zhuan shen bai lian . . . . . . . . . . . Turn Body, Lotus Kick

45 . . . . . . . . Wan gong she hu . . Bend the Bow and Shoot the Tiger

46 . . . . . . Jin bu ban lan chui . . . . . . . . . . . . Step Forward, Parry, Block and Punch

47 . . . . . . . . . . . . Ru feng si bi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Apparent Close-up

48 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shi zi shou . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cross Hands

49 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shou shi. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Closing

Huan yuan . . . . . . . Return to Original Position

INTERNATIONAL YANG STYLE TAI CHI CHUAN ASSOCIATION280 Newport Way NW Suite B14Issaquah, WA 98027 U.S.A.

Tour Package #2: July 17 or 18 to July 24

Beijing, Taiyuan, back to Beijing

Tour Package #1: July 17 or 18 to July 29

Bejing, Taiyuan,Shanghai, Wuxi,Hangzhou,back to Beijing

7/17&18: Arrive in China, meet at Beijing Airport or Railway Station7/18: Leaving in the afternoon by Bus for Taiyuan7/19: Meeting together in Taiyuan and practicing collectively7/20: Opening Ceremony:

Masters’ Performances and Team DemonstrationsPrograms for Entertainment19:00p.m. Celebration Banquet

7/21: Tournament for Entire Day20:00p.m. Masters’ Lectures

7/22: Tournament in the Morning14:00 p.m.: Touring Pingyao Ancient Town20:00 p.m.: Masters’ Lectures

7/23: Tournament in the MorningAwards Ceremony in the AfternoonWinners’ PerformancesClosing Ceremonies

7/24: Return to Beijing by BusCosts: $ 582 Includes travel, meals and lodging in China.

Celebration/Tournament event fee of $50 and competition fees of $5 per event are not included. If returning to Beijing by plane add $60

7/17&18: Arrive in China, meet at Beijing Airport or Railway Station7/18: Leaving in the afternoon by Bus for Taiyuan7/19: Meeting together in Taiyuan and practicing collectively7/20: Opening Ceremony:

Masters’ Performances and Team DemonstrationsPrograms for Entertainment19:00p.m. Celebration Banquet

7/21: Tournament for Entire Day20:00p.m. Masters’ Lectures

7/22: Tournament in the Morning14:00 p.m.: Touring Pingyao Ancient Town20:00 p.m.: Masters’ Lectures

7/23: Tournament in the MorningAwards Ceremony in the AfternoonWinners’ PerformancesClosing Ceremonies

7/24: Flying to ShanghaiStaying overnight in Wuxi

7/25: 6 to 7 a.m. Coaching and PracticeExchange activities with local Taiji practitioners in the MorningSight seeing in the AfternoonEvening Social Gathering

7/26: 6 to 7 a.m. Coaching and PracticeMorning sight seeing, afternoon travel to HangzhouOvernight stay in Hangzhou

7/27: 6 to 7 a.m. Coaching and PracticeExchange activities with local Taiji practitioners in the MorningTouring Hangzhou in the AfternoonEvening Social Gathering

7/28: 6 to 7 a.m. Coaching and PracticeSight seeing around Hangzhou20:00 p.m. Flying back to Beijing

7/29: Free day in BeijingFarewell Dinner and Departures

Costs: $1200 : Covers all transportation, meals and lodging in China. This isan estimated total, air fares within China during July 2002 may changethe total amount. Celebration/Tournament event fee of $50 and competition fees of $5 per event are not included

TAIYAN 2002

Journal 6

Documents

Transcript of Journal 6