Taiji Silk Reeling Exercise ( Chansigong )

Taiji Silk Reeling Exercise ( Chansigong )

Is It The Ultimate Basic Exercise For All Martial Artists As Well As Chen Taiji’s Best Kept Secret?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chen Style Taiji has a unique method of teaching basics to beginners by using a drill known as silk reeling. The drill named for its resemblance to the smooth, circular and spiraling movements of the silk worm larva wrapping itself up in to its cocoon as well as the equally smooth method often associated with an individual unraveling the cocoon for the extraction of the silk thread (used in the production of silk). However the continued practice of this basic drill evolves into a much more sophisticated exercise. It evolves into a means for uncovering deeper and more refined layers of understanding pertaining to advanced body movement and breath control. Even the most accomplished practitioner will benefit from this silk reeling.  

 

 

Over the past 45 years or so I have spent  more than a substantial amount of time dedicating myself to a few specific arts (a decade plus for most and over two decades with Taiji ). I have also invested shorter, but equally intense durations in a multitude of other arts searching for additional points of view and bare essentials. I am a firm believer in building from the ground up and never under estimate the value of what I first learn at the early stages of training (and how I can build on that solid platform).  I have applied this philosophy in other pieces of my personal wellness program such as meditation, nutrition, strength and endurance training as well as life itself.  As much as I do love the traditions associated with martial arts, I have made that a secondary aspect of my practice. I have tried not to become blinded by those traditions at the cost of practicality. I do remain aware of the fact that they do hold their place and are essential in fully understanding any particular martial discipline regarding where the art came from, how and why it evolved the way in which it did.  Two important things to remember: All martial arts evolve over time and for good reasons. One being the need to adapt to new environments secondly no two individuals are exactly the same.  Once the practitioner comprehends these points through diligent practice they too can evolve as a martial artist. Harmoniously blending principles together when possible (even if from different arts) to attain a higher level of proficiency has been done throughout martial art history and continues to do so. 

Martial arts are not about cloning forms from master to student. Success is based on the proper transmission of principles and how they apply to each individual.

Keep in mind my most comfortable shoes will never fit anyone else exactly the way they fit me and some people won’t even be able to get their feet inside to see what they feel like. It would be useless to spend time trying to make them fit if they were either too small or too large. That does not mean every movement or technique the individual learns in conjunction with a specific martial art should be avoided at the first sign of a challenge.  But do remember, for many reasons not every aspect of every art is one-hundred percent suitable for everyone and must sometimes be modified to suit the individual’s needs. The needs for modifications may be based on many factors. To name a few such as environment, age, previous injuries and realistically speaking genetics related to size and strength as well as skeletal structure, muscles, tendons and ligament insertion regarding the skeletal system etc…. That being said many martial art principles do remain universal, but the applications of those principles may require some adjustments.

 

What does this have to do with the title of this article and “Silk Reeling”?  Simply put, silk reeling is by far the most basic yet important training method I have ever engaged in. It is applicable to every martial art I have ever practiced as well as any movement your body performs (or breath you take) under both ordinary and extraordinary circumstances. It also possesses equal significance associated to an individual’s health and longevity.  I have already mentioned the importance of basics, but one must realize that even previously reliable basics may become counterproductive or even corrosive to our body and our health if not adjusted properly to conditions such as aging, injuries etc…. What was correct and natural for me yesterday, may not be correct and natural for me tomorrow or today for that matter. From the highly athletic to the extreme elderly silk reeling requires but a minor modification if any and can be done in a standing or seated position.   If any exercise can stand (or sit) the test of time both through the history of a martial art and the history of an individual’s life, Silk Reeling is it.

 

What is silk reeling?

It is Chen Taji’s method of tempering the body for the most efficient and productive movement possible. This exercise ordinarily follows standing pole  (zhang zhaung) practice.  Based on Yin and Yang it uses spiraling and circular body motion, related to ligament, tendons, muscle, skeletal structure as well as all joints of the body (in a simultaneous or sequential fashion). Proper alignment and center awareness with minimal amount of tension throughout the body and mind are essential.

Secondly but equally important is the breath coordinated with all movement as related to the Traditional Chinese Medicine theory of Jingluo (qi circulating  throughout the body ).  

Thirdly it prepares the student on movements easily transferable to the Taiji forms. Forms which consist of both slow and fast as well as empty hand, weapons and two man push hands practice. All the above which lead to self defense applications and free style fighting such as Sanda.

 

However silk reeling can also be practiced as a standalone exercise for any martial artist (not only Taiji players) or individual of any age and any condition seeking to improve overall health.  Therein lies the beauty and uniqueness of silk reeling.    

 

The end results from the martial perspective is the development of an extreme sensitivity in reading an opponent as well as a keen sense of awareness as to where the bodies boundaries are.  Additional skills learnt from silk reeling, defensively allows the Taiji player to lead the opponent in to being off centered and in the wrong place while you remain centered in right place. That set of circumstances lends to allowing the Taiji player to capitalize on the opponent’s weaknesses before they can readjust and regain their center of balance and consider defending. In other words the trained opponent is temporarily unable to use their honed skills and becomes vulnerable while the Taiji player possesses the superior position to counterattack.  These counters are a versatile arsenal of strikes with a variety of body parts,  joint-locks, sweeps, take-downs as well as submissions  (all of which are based on the mechanics of silk reeling) to control the attacker.

 

From the health perspective the body’s immune system is enhanced as well as improved balance, coordination, neurological strength from brain to muscle and physical strength. Perhaps most importance is its ability to relieve stress. Silk reeling utilizes the theory of qi circulation mentioned above. It creates an internal flow of qi and helps promotes overall health.  All above being prerequisites for maintaining quality of life for any ages. 

 

The silk reeling routine uses a variety of single and two arm circular motions. These circles engage use of the entire body and all of its joints likened to the moving parts of a well designed Swiss watch. Any movement is a sum of all of the body’s parts without the over extending of any. Arm circle combinations cover almost every imaginable combination of clockwise and counter clockwise circles. They are also done

from a variety of positions such as horse, bow and empty stances.  If the practitioner places an overabundance of attention to either Yin or Yang an imbalance will occur.

 

 

 (Below 19^th Gen Grand Master Zhu Tiancai demonstrating single arm silk reeling)

                                       

  

                         Above - Hand/wrist rotating away from center                      

 

 

 

   Above -  Hand/wrist rotating towards center

 

The hand/wrist rotating outward is referred to as a Ni circle.

The hand/wrist rotating inward towards center is referred to as a Shun circle

Two other important characteristics of the hand/wrist are a rising wrist and sinking wrist. These four movements are combined and form the visible circular path.

Keep in mind that these movements come from a proper rooted, but relaxed position. By pushing off the ground which drives the turning of the waist and rotation of the dantain transfering the energy upward through the upper body, shoulder, elbow and hand. The process continues (without stopping) reversing the energy flow back to the dantian and repeats itself in a circular, spiraling, relaxed fashion (repetitiously).  

 

   

(Above 19^th Gen Grand Master Zhu Tiancai with author demonstrating                         

  various two arm silk reeling combinations)

 

 

 For those interested in primarily the health aspect they need not practice the countless adaptations of these circles.

 For martial artists in the advanced stages the circle can become small in nature. (Sometimes invisible, but still present.)  They should be performed at different speeds while still keeping the body properly aligned and always maintaining a good awareness of one’s center without over extending in any direction. The transitions related to the stances offer training in foot-work that will later become essential for the martial artist in a free style environment. The Taiji martial artist will learn how to defend every angle from any angle. The circles will vary in size training the practitioner in both defense and offense against all attack styles from strikes, grappling and joint-locks.  Circles although resembling blocks from other styles are designed more for deflection and leading an opponent in to a sense of disarray regarding their balance  as opposed to meeting the direct impact of a strike head on.  Silk reeling eventually graduates in to a two man drill (known as push-hands) where timing and position as well as reading an opponent are practiced.  As in many arts timing and position are key, but perhaps Taiji takes them to an even more articulate level. This training enhances those principles.

 The Taiji practitioners gains experience in relaxing the body’s unused muscle, ligaments and tendons and conservative use of those needed to maintain balance or engage in any specific tasks or movements. This creates quite the challenge for an opponent to employ joint-locks, strikes and throws successfully. It is this same relaxed body that allows the Taiji player to release an extraordinary amount of power in any directions when striking out at an opponent. Strikes are usually short and non-telegraphic in nature but none the less quite explosive. As another means of defense the smaller circles are equally effective at both reversal of joint locks when attempted by the opponent as well as joint locking the opponent for submission or inflicting more intense damage to their joints.   More detailed explanations of Taiji principles are explained in my Demystifying Taiji articles. If you dismiss Taiji training as a strictly senior citizen activity you ought to reinvestigate this art at a traditional training facility.

 

Having the ability to move your body is not unique. Having the skill to move your body and perform at peak efficiency the way in which it was intended is.  

And that is a product of Silk Reeling.

 

 ___________________________________________________________________

 

19^th Generation Chen Family Grand Master Zhu Tiancai’s

 FIVE GOLDEN RUES.

 

 

1   Sink (relax the kua)

2   Shift  (substantial and insubstantial )

3   Rotation (turning of the waist)

4   Coordinate Upper Body Movement

5   Coordinate Breath

 

 

If you are interested in learning more about silk reeling and how it can enhance your own martial skills or add better health to your life regardless of your condition contact me.

Steve Contes

 

Email: taijicenter@aol.com

Web Site: taijicenter.com

 

About the author/Steve Contes: A practicing martial artist for over 45 years (presently a full-time Chen Taijiquan  Instructor) and researcher of philosophy and health from around the world, old and new. He also promotes seminars both here in the states as well as in Chen Jiagou (Chen Village) Henan, China with some of the world’s leading authorities on Chen Taijiquan.  Training tours throughout China are also available.

 

They don't make em like they used to

They don't make em like they used to  

 written by Steve Contes

Can we attain the extraordinary skills that legends are made of?

Huang Fei Hung - Museum, Foshan, China         Chen Fake - Chen Jiagou, China

             

 

Yip Man aka Ip Man  Wing Chun (Ving Tsun) Master  - Photo below taken at     Yip Man Museum in Foshan China

 

 

 

Where are all the great Masters of yesteryears? The heroes in which we draw are inspirations from. The heroes that have influenced filmmakers from Hollywood to Hong Kong. Heroes that have been portrayed by modern day kung fu stars such Bruce Lee, Jet Li, Jackie Chan, Donnie Yen and so on goes the prestigious list.

 With all the advancement and greater understanding with in the sciences of training, technology, kinesiology and nutrition you’d think we could produce super-human Martial Artists.

Nutrition alone has made us bigger, faster and stronger than before. Just watch the Olympics and see how all other areas of athleticism continue to advance and ask yourself, why not Kung Fu or other traditional martial arts. As a matter of fact why does it appear that the newer generations of Masters are lacking some of the legendary skills now only spoken about. Could it be that they are just that, legends that may have been born out of mere remnants of the truth, but have grown larger than life over time and strayed away from accurate assessments of martial skills.

Perhaps it is also perception and the desire of each individual to believe that their teachers are the best around and their teacher’s teachers were the stuff of legends. Will our perception of our own teachers become embellished regarding the legitimate skills they possess?   

Has our life so full of conveniences and so called advantages turned against us, making us softer and weaker (physically, mentally, and spiritually)?

Have we lost contact with the spiritual and mental side of training?

Are we not in need of some of the martial skills that were once necessary for our personal survival?

How does discipline fit in to the formula and why is it often lacking?

 

I will examine this issue from these different angles.

Perhaps the answer to our topic lies in a combination of our Perception, Lifestyle, Necessity, the potentially missing aspect of our Spirituality and conceivably the most neglected ingredient discipline. 

Perception

Here is but a brief look at perception. To cover the subject in depth would provide enough material to fill volumes

 

With the utmost respect I refer to the explanation below.

Perception as explained by Dr. Francis Colavita  (Emeritus Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Pittsburgh, where he taught for more than 40 years) extracted from The Great Courses Web Site : Click Here for site

Though the physical world we occupy may be identical, the reality we experience—the perceptions created when our brains combine the input from our senses with past encounters with those same inputs—is very different. And this is true not only from one person to another, but within the same individual, as well. For our various sensory systems can be altered over time, their acuity changing in response to aging or injury, life experiences, evolving personalities, and other factors.

Through my professional experience as a private detective I have had the opportunity to investigate hundreds of cases which have included taking statements from witnesses that witnessed the same incident. It is more often than not that statements differ from slightly to totally.  I have also gone back and updated statements from original witnesses (after a year to sometimes even five or ten) that are quite different from what they thought and definitively stated when their memory was fresher. From one of my earlier careers as a  bouncer in my hometown I had witnessed this same phenomenon.  It has affected stories about altercations (personally involving me) at the clubs that I worked.  (Certainly stories that in reality I could never live up to) So we can consider the valid point expressed above as a possible answer to not intentionally exaggerating or explaining what someone may have seen or even more indirectly heard. We can also consider the fact that our memories and perception of events in our own life change over time.  Sit down with a sibling or old friend and discuss in detail an event that you both shared, you will likely have many differences.

Even events that two or more people observe at the same time may appear to be quite different from each other and more importantly so than the reality and surrounding facts of the event itself. Ask two sports fans watching the same game that favor opposing teams to describe a possible foul or penalty during the game or if there were any reasons why their team won or lost. (Keep in mind they both just witnessed the same event on the same screen and then cautiously step back.) You may have just fueled a great debate or worse. What we actually see, hear, smell, taste, or touch and remember have many influences often leading to many inaccuracies. People also blur the boundaries of what is subjective and what is objective. That is why most people believe they have the cutest kid, know the best mechanic, and have the smartest friends or the dumbest, and that no other mom can cook like their own.  What student of the Martial Arts has not at least mildly inflated stories or experiences related to what they have witnessed regarding their teachers or training?

This is certainly a contributing factor to the topic of trying to discover why I believe they don’t make them like they used to.  However this does not alter the fact that I personally believe that some great masters did indeed exist and a smaller subset even possessed extraordinary skills.                    

  Lifestyle   

 

It would be hard to argue that the conveniences we experience today and perhaps take for granted were not part of the lifestyle of our grandparents nor are they part of the lives of many living under third world or less modern conditions. Unfortunately we have also picked up many negative elements related to such conveniences including stress and often an overall decline in personal health from this so called “good life”.  

 

I believe a challenging lifestyle with less stress can be conducive to a strong body and mind. I have personally witnessed this phenomenon living and working in a small city in China for three years. I observed many people and their daily routines (minus some of the so called advantages of modern living) enjoying success in most of their endeavors large or small.

This also included their martial skills.  A very basic example: It stands to reason that an individual who walks at least few miles to and from work daily (often carrying the needed tools) regardless of sub zero or extremely hot temperatures will not only be physically healthier but develop a more disciplined mind to complete what needs to be done. A few more examples would be the person who rides their bicycle to work under the same conditions but even a greater distance. Or the laborers commonly observed on road or construction crews using simple tools to accomplish great physical feats from digging to moving heavy objects. (Tasks that one would think should never be attempted without the assistance of modern machinery.)

I am not implying that individuals here in the States are not capable of the same, but what I am stating is that here it is a rarity while in China it is considered ordinary. 

I personally used my bike (while living in China for three years) as my main mode of transportation which included riding my two children one in the back and one seated in front of me to and from school daily. A second round trip was made daily with my niece on the back seat to a different school several miles from our home. This had to be done on a Mon-Fri schedule, rain, snow or shine, freezing or extremely hot. Prior to this daily ritual which started about 7:00am was my own daily trip to the park for a 90 min Taiji/exercise workout and my stop on the way back home to pick up fresh milk for our family breakfast. Of course each day I also transported myself to work and did the food shopping with the help of my wife and her bicycle.  (Two bikes were needed to carry back the groceries daily because we only had a very small refrigerator)

 

 

 Bike for Transportation is not limited to times of favorable weather.

 

 

 triple baskets carry more groceries

 

 

What was born of these new found necessities was a healthier/stronger body with a more disciplined approach to the chores at hand fueled by freshly picked vegetables and fruits and a better appreciation of everything we ate or drank.  This is but a fraction of what others did and still must do daily.  For me personally, I grew to prefer this method of living to any other I have experienced before or since. Consider the levels of both physical and mental challenges to the people of this particular small city and you can understand why they might excel in all their other endeavors such as Kung Fu or for that matter anything else. Back this scenario up another hundred years and consider the discipline needed to face the extreme challenges daily just to put food on the table and you can begin to consider lifestyle as a major player in the life of a Kung Fu master. 

 

Necessity / Survival

Now let’s dig a little deeper to another aspect of lifestyle that is part of our primordial instinct, survival. Kung Fu was born of necessity in order to protect oneself, family or a skill needed for occupations dealing with protecting others and their belongings. Many Masters were employed as bodyguards and escorts in an era where their lives were on the line or challenged on a regular basis. Others were great military men or royal guards for emperors and their families. It was also realized by these individuals that while death was always near their skills were the only armor keeping them alive.  Kung Fu was not practiced as a method for an individual to get in to shape on par with today’s other activities such as jogging or swimming, tennis or racquet ball. Classes were not scheduled two to three times a week as an after work / after school activity. Kung Fu was a necessity of life and the closer they came to perfection the increased chances for survival. Life was often dedicated to training. You can’t find much more incentive for developing Mastery of your Martial Art than that.

I will mildly compare and contrast the life of a professional fighter. During their career they are dedicated to perfecting the physical and mental skills of their craft. No other priority in life can dominate if he or she is to achieve that goal. However the most important factor removed from the equation is they are not fighting for their lives nor are they defending their families or any other individuals. 

Secondly I will relate the above to the modern elite soldier. Although the soldier trains their skills to survive as did many of the Martial arts Legends before him,  they rely on modern technology and advanced weapon systems as opposed to focusing on hand to hand combat,  wielding swords or other hand held (self-powered) weapons.

 

Spiritual/Mental

Perhaps the deepest desire was beyond the physical attributes attained by the ordinary Martial Artist. It may well be the never ending search for spiritual enlightenment. For many Masters the physical paths followed were only a prelude to the environment necessary to begin the journey to true Spiritual Enlightenment. This being the most difficult objective of all was far beyond just the extraordinary physical skills some had already come to possess be it from training, lifestyle, necessity or a combination of. However when spiritual enlightenment was achieved the elements of clarity and sensitivity were also realized. This may be why the Master appears to know his opponents’ attacks before they are launched or physically visible enhancing the ability to defend and counter. Another key element to the consummate master is the removal of fear. Now enlightened and no longer living in trepidation of death the Martial artist was transformed in to true master. His physical skills were elevated to an extremely high level; perhaps the stuff legends are made of and his exploits will continue to echo through the generations.

 

Discipline

Of course none of the above mentioned needed to reach mastery as a Martial Artist could be attained without extreme discipline. The greater the degree of personal discipline is directly related to the degree of personal proficiency in anything we aspire to do or be. Could Masters today reach the same level of skills as those that came before them? I answer with an emphatic YES! Will they or for that matter will you?  That I cannot answer, only you know if you will. 

 

Hopefully better understanding of the above can lead us to some of the extraordinary skills we as martial artists only dream about.

Please send me your comments or opinions regarding this article.

 

Guest Author: Still as a Mountain Flowing Like a Great River

                 Managing Type II Diabetes with Tai Chi Chuan

                Robert W. Mann Empty Circle Tai Chi Chuan Fa

I began my martial arts practice during my service in the US Marine Corps in the early 1970s in both traditional and innovative Chinese and Filipino martial arts. Coming full circle I began training in authentic Tai Chi Chuan in 2005 and was fortunate to find masters in both the Chen Family and Yang Family arts. Over the years my practice had become intermittent. It wasn’t until I woke up night and found my heart racing and was short of breath due to my life style at that time of excessive alcohol abuse, extensive travel over work and lousy food.

The next morning I went out to my back yard and began to go through my Chen Family Chan Si Gong (Silk Reeling Chi Kung) and Four Sided Tai Chi. I stopped drinking, gave up junk food and started making better dietary choices. As time progressed I began to work with my other Tai Chi forms to include the Chen 13 Postures and Yang Ben Hou and Yang Lu Chan forms. I eventually integrated my combat conditioning program using Russian Kettle Bells and Body Weight training while continuing my acupuncture and herbal treatments that I receive from Dr. Patrick Sullivan, A.P. at the White Crane Clinic in Tarpon Springs, FL. I began losing weight and was feeling great but I was very thirsty and my weight loss was at a rate of 3 to 5 pounds a week. At first I thought it was a good thing but had some concern as diabetes runs in my family. So after a couple of months I thought it was time for a checkup to include blood work to be done at my local VA clinic. After my blood work I was notified that my A1C was 11 and my sugar was 326. I immediately arranged to meet with Dr. Sullivan who informed that I had what in Traditional Chinese Medicine is referred to as Jiao Gar “thirsting and wasting” essentially my body was eating itself. The VA classified my condition a Type II Diabetes.

The funny thing was I was feeling great getting stronger, how could I be sick? I didn’t even get colds or flu and I hadn’t had a flu shot in over 10 years. Over the next several months I continued to lose weight and my sugar continued to sky rocket and my VA M.D. thought I should either be in a Diabetic Coma or dead, as my sugar levels topped out at 650 and my weight bottomed out at 149 pounds. Curiously I continued to feel good and my strength continued to improve. At the time I was taking both allopathic and traditional Chinese medicine and continue to use both treatments with the intent of eventually getting away from the allopathic medicines all together.

At this point with my consistent daily Tai Chi practice along with the other 7 pillars of Traditional Chinese Medicine my A1C and sugar levels are within normal ranges and continue to feel great and have a strong immune system free of colds and flu. I’m living proof that Tai Chi Chuan when used along with Traditional Chinese Medicine is both a remarkable martial and healing art.

Is Your Taiji An Effective Martial Art

Is Your Taijiquan An Effective Martial Art?

                                           By Steve Contes

 

Taiji is a most generous art in which it is willing to share all of its wealth with any willing practitioner.  The more diligent the practice the greater value of the gifts presented. Wealth and gifts in this case implying overall health, physical and spiritual strength and sometimes, but not often martial skills. I place no emphasis on which of the many offerings are most important. That is personal and related to each individual and their priorities at any given stages of their life.  I do acknowledge that there are distinctions between Taiji and Taijiquan. There is a line drawn separating Taiji players from the Taijiquan martial artists. Maybe even a better explanation would be to state that Taijiquan martial artists or a subset in the category of Taiji Players.

 

How can the player become the martial artist is the question I will explore.

 

The issue of what it takes to obtain or perfect any of a variety of skills or crafts will be the first task to address.

When one undertakes any form of comprehensive study there are usually two sides to the training. We have both the theoretical and the practical side. Doctors will undergo years of intensive training in Med school.  But no matter how intelligent they are or diligent they were as med-students, without the practical side of their internship in their chosen field he or she would be incapable of utilizing their newly found knowledge. Even at the early stages of a medical career, doctors are far from being masters of their craft. It takes years of arduous practice to slowly transcend them into (hopefully) competent practitioners of medicine.

Whether you are fresh out of law school or trade school, you are still unseasoned in your field. I would not want to fly with a pilot on his or her maiden voyage, be represented by an attorney without trial experience,  go under the knife of a surgeon the day after graduation nor what I have a novice carpenter build me a home.   

 

Why would one think martial arts could be any different?  Successful Martial Artists from an array of disciplines hone their skills by combining theory, technique, conditioning, drills and finally practical applications of the above with both willing and unwilling partners.  Boxers spend countless hours sparring, wrestlers pay their dues facing off on the mat, judokas playing randori etc…  In the past Taijiquan Masters engaged in rigorous training not often seen here in today’s Taiji world. They had to be confident in their skills, because they were used to protect both the lives of others and themselves.

 

The Chen Family is commonly recognized for being the originators of the martial art, Taijiquan which acted as the parent style for its many offshoots.

It is also clearly documented by many sources that numerous Chen Taiji Family members throughout their family history served as body guards, escorts (not that kind), soldiers and protectors of their villages during the violent and fierce times of China’s turbulent history.  

 

These early accounts go back as far as the1300s  with stories of Chen Bu (skilled martial artist of the Chen Family Clan)  It was Chen Bu after settling in a village then known as Chang Yang Village (modern name, Chen Jiagou) lead a successful attack on bandits that had been terrorizing the area prior to his arrival.

 

 

 

 Above Pictured: 9^th Generation Chen Wanting (1600-1680)

 

Chen Wanting served as a military officer and Commander of the Garrison Force of Wenxian, Henan China prior to the fall of the Ming Dynasty (1644). As the leader of many successful battles he too earned legendary status related to his martial arts prowess. 

 

  It was after this period during the early Qing Dynasty era (which lasted from 1644-1911) where Chen Wanting developed a unique martial art drawing on the principles of  Yin and Yang theory, Daoyin (leading energy) , and Tu-Na (expelling and drawing energy), and Jingluo Theory ( based on the bodies meridians and energy flow). 

 

It is his art that has evolved into to what we now know as Chen Style Taijiquan. It is considered by most historians to have originated with the emphasis on Martial Art skills.   

 

When it became necessary for the Chen family members to employ their martial abilities, there were no judges, mats or rules, just the pure instinct to survive.

 

Fortunately today for most of us, we live in a much different world, but that does not mean that such skills are no longer of value. Obtaining those skills certainly require additional effort beyond the scope of what most Taiji practitioners usually study.

 

Today’s Taiji Players engage in their art for many purposes from general heath to self defense or anything in between. Training methods include, but are not limited to the following: standing pole, meditation, moving exercises such as different methods of qigong and forms, two man drills, the use of weapons and training tools along with push-hands. These are considered by many as the core aspects of the practice. If self defense is a concern for you this curriculum may need to be adjusted. In this article we will not take time to define the benefits of these so called Taiji fundamentals.   I understand that most of the readers of this publication are likely to be well versed on the subject of these rudimentary exercises. I also agree that they are some of the integral key ingredients for the practitioner to cultivate his or her skills. However those skills must be tested and refined in a practical and realistic environment before they can become reliable for defense.  There appears to be a systematic form of denial among some Taiji Players and teachers, novice to experienced (along with other fellow martial artists) that the latter refinement process is not critical. That could not be further from the truth. For Taijiquan martial artists there is a definitive need to perfect their skills beyond the extremely valuable forms and push hands that they practice. Based on my subjective opinion drawn from my over forty years plus experience in a variety of martial arts, sixteen years as a relatively small NY bouncer  (about 160 lbs at the time) and seventeen years as a private investigator/process server, reality based training for the martial artist is nothing short of a necessity.

   

I would confidently state those who believe push-hands (as seen here in American competitions) can be used in place of free sparring practice would become well educated in three or four minutes on the Sanda Leitai, boxing ring, grappling mat or informally sparring with any competent reality based martial artist. I will also confidentially state that any Taiji player who has developed the skills that precede free sparring practice should be able to smoothly transition to the next phase of reality training and become a complete and effective martial artist.

 

Hypothetically speaking if there are nine levels of training leading an individual to becoming a Taijiquan Martial Artist, achieving seven or eight just does not suffice, just as a staircase missing the top two or three steps would make it difficult for an individual to reach the next floor. 

 

As for me, I personally have succeeded in pushing partners that could easily dominate me in the ring or street and I have also been pushed by some that may not be as successful or effective in the ring or the street.  (I am also very aware of the differences between those two environments, but they also share many commonalities)  To be a truly brilliant Taijiquan  player, one ought to be effective in any environment at any given time.  I’ve had the privilege of having high level Taiji Masters personally illustrate their mastery on me. Although some of the lessons I received may have been brief in duration, they were none the less crucial in leading me to a greater understanding of Taiji principles (and how far I am from utilizing them to their true potential). The experiences were both physically painful, (a small price to pay for the lessons learned) as well as totally fulfilling and enlightening.

 

The example that epitomizes one particular experience took place early one summer morning in Di Tan Park, Beijing 2004.  I was fortunately provided with the unique opportunity to meet and be evaluated by Grand Master 18^th Generation Feng Zhiqiang.  (Thanks to a close friend of mine Coco Zhang)  The results of this encounter led to an invitation to push with this Taiji legend. From the moment the hair on my arm barely made contact with his very being, Master Feng was controlling every aspect of my even slightest intention as well as my breath. To this day I cannot find the words to describe the experience and the level of his skills. The only parallel that I can draw to anyone not present was the outcome would have been identical had I just handed him my empty shirt. This experience was perhaps my most profound relating to the past forty-two years in the Martial arts. The memory is consistently reincarnated every time I push hands, grapple or spar. My sincerest thanks to him, a most generous, humble and extraordinarily skilled master for taking the time to give me an unknown and novice student a valuable lesson.        

 

 

Back to my main, but simple point,: Due to the lack of participation and study in a free style atmosphere  I contend that the majority of the Taiji players have fallen off the wagon regarding successfully becoming martial artist. (There are also many extremely skilled Taijiquan practitioners that have crossed over to the other side.) That is where training with a variety of partners including those from different disciplines is as necessary as the continuation of the aforementioned methods of training. Nothing can replace the valuable lessons earned with free sparring or free style push hands. Once the Taiji player enters into this type of reality practice they may also discover that their level of fitness regarding strength and stamina may have a few flaws.  If this last step of the training is approached with the same diligence as the previous more commonly practiced skills, (deemed essential by most) Taijiquan as a defensive art can truly be realized.

 

 

I advocate that the Taji player seek out places and martial artists to train with from both in and out of the Taiji community.

Whether informal or formal this type of training should be explored.  Where you gain this experience can be anywhere from a backyards to organized competitions.

 

I have spoken to many push hand competitors here in the states. There appears to be a common consensus that a more pragmatic setting to test their skills beyond what is ordinarily offered by the American Push Hands standard is needed. Most players will honestly admit even after successfully outscoring their opponents they too were often violating basic Taiji principles in the process. Had the rules of the competition been less restrictive they would have been vulnerable regarding defending themselves. “Should we be saved by rules or Taiji principles when practicing our art”?

  

 

 

Example Above : Common push hands mistake shown above. The black shirt overextending himself to push an opponent.

Even if the black shirt were to be awarded a point, he is  over extended and has gone beyond his center of balance. (He would be quite vulnerable to defend from that position)

How do I know? The black shirt is me. In Open Style Push Hands no point would be awarded.  

  

Open Style Push-hands and free sparring are a natural progression beyond normal push hands as seen here in the states.

Spending extensive time traveling and living in China I had the opportunity to observe a variety of push hand competitions and training sessions (both formal and informal) and trained with many Taiji players. For those interested I am hoping to bring open style push hands void of the many restrictions being observed here at our domestic tournaments.

 

 

I am personally developing a new venue with a set of rules and conditions where any martial artist can examine and compare their skills in a fair and friendly atmosphere.

 

 I am by no way trying to admonish the validity of American style push hands however I am trying to offer what I consider to be the next natural step in training for Taijiquan Martial Artist. This is certainly is not for everyone. Those who do choose to engage will develop a deeper understanding of the martial side of Taiji (known  as Taijiquan).

 

 

It is a personal choice for every practitioner to decide what they want from this most generous art. Although I have personally benefited from the health and spiritual components of this art, I am intrigued by its martial qualities and will continue to study them in great depth. In the end for Taiji Players, it’s all good.

Whether you are a Taiji player focusing primarily on the many health benefits or a member of the subset crossing over that line towards martial arts, you have invested your time and efforts wisely.  

 

If this type of study is appealing to you or you would like to share your opinions, contact me at Taijicenter@aol.com

 

About the author: A practicing martial artist for over 40 years and researcher of philosophy and health from around the world, old and new.

 

Research: Tai Chi Classes for Seniors

New Research Regarding

Tai Chi / Taiji Classes for Seniors 

Steve Contes

New Port Richey FL.

Once again I refer to some additional research conducted by Fuzhong Li, Ph.D. of the Oregon Research Institute, and colleagues. The research piece can be found below my brief introduction. 

Introduction

I have personally seen my Senior Students greatly improve their strength, balance, energy levels, flexibility, coordination, and overall health (physical and mental) with a steady diet of Tai Chi in their weekly schedules. It also provides a social atmosphere where students can make new friends, share common interests and often develop new ones.  I sincerely hope that the type of research presently available encourages the Senior population to get out there and see for themselves how Taiji can enrich their lives. No matter what you perceive your present physical condition or state of health, you can engage in the practice of Taiji. I also caution potential students to train only with a qualified Taiji Instructor. If you have any questions on how to go about the task of locating one, contact me directly and I will try my best to assist you in your search (where ever you are residing).

 As I said in the last blog (Tai Chi as  Treatment for Parkinson’s) I am extremely appreciative of Fuzhong Li Ph.D.and his colleagues for all their efforts and also willingness to share their findings regarding how Taiji (Tai Chi)   can benefit those addressing issues associated with aging or any other health complications.

Physical Training Jan 2002
 

Tai Chi Good Way

For Elderly People To Return To Exercise

The low-impact Chinese exercise, Tai Chi, can help older people regain some of the physical functioning that they may have lost to inactivity, according to a new study.

Seniors taking Tai Chi classes reported better physical functioning both at the three-month midpoint and the six-month end of the pilot study, says Fuzhong Li, Ph.D., of the Oregon Research Institute, and colleagues.

The study included 72 people between the ages of 65 and 96 who were split into a group that went to an hour-long class twice a week for six months and a control group that was promised a four-week class at the end of the study.

"We found significant improvements within three months on a low-intensity program conducted twice a week. Our results also showed improved benefits from six months of participation, suggesting that additional health gains can be derived from a longer period of participation," the researchers say.

The study is published in the May issue of the Annals of Behavioral Medicine.

They contrast this with previous research on exercise programs that suggests much longer periods are needed to show significant improvements in functioning.

On completion of the study, the Tai Chi students were also twice as likely as the control group to report not being limited in their ability to perform moderate-to-vigorous activities.

In comparison to previous research, which shows that half of sedentary people are unable to maintain a newly adopted exercise program, these findings were also unique in that only 18 percent of participants dropped out of the Tai Chi class. The researchers suggest Tai Chi may offer a particularly attractive form of fitness activity for this population. Members of the classes described the lessons as a positive experience with wide ranging benefits that both energized and relaxed them. They felt it had helped them build better flexibility, balance and strength.

The researchers did note that since the study recruited volunteers for the study, the participants may have been more motivated than other sedentary elderly people to exercise.

The study cost approximately $9,000.

Through grants from the National Institute on Aging, the researchers are continuing their    examination of the effects of Tai Chi on seniors' health outcomes, such as falls, physical ability and long-term health behaviors.

---

Annals of Behavioral Medicine is the official peer-reviewed publication of The Society of Behavioral Medicine. For information about the journal, contact Robert Kaplan, PhD, (858) 534-6058. For copies of the article, contact the Center for the Advancement of Health at 202.387.2829 or e-mail press@cfah.org

Center for the Advancement of Health Contact: Ira R. Allen Director of Public Affairs  202.387.2829 press@cfah.org

Contact: Fuzhong Li, Ph.D. (541) 484-2123 (ext. 2137) fuzhongl@ori.org     or John Fisher (541) 484-2123 (ext. 2228) fisherj@ori.org

Tai Chi (Taiji) as a Treatment for Parkinson’s

Tai Chi (Taiji) as a Treatment for Parkinson’s

Written by Steve Contes / FL based Tai Chi instructor. (I am not a doctor nor am I a professional in any medical field)

The New England Journal of Medicine recently posted some interesting research which prompted me to write this article and share their findings.

 (My personal beliefs are that not only does Taiji aid in the physical aspects of this disease, but it is also a potent tool to ease the mental and emotional states often associated with Parkinson’s and many other diseases. This article and related research focuses on the physical challenges as related to Parkinson’s)

Taiji is no longer shrouded in mystery for those seeking to understand this eastern-based art.

That also includes the western Medical World. Thanks to the efforts of Doctors such as Fuzhong Li, Ph.D, Dr Yang Yang and many others we are now seeing the long awaited marriage of Eastern and Western philosophies regarding health.  Maybe in my optimistic state of mind I’m jumping the gun, so let me rephrase the above statement. “The engagement announcement of Eastern and Western philosophies regarding health”. It seems that we still have a ways to go. You might say that the parents of this couple have more than a few hurtles in front of them and they are not exactly holding their glasses high and toasting one and other (yet).  However, they are beginning to understand each other better and actually agreeing on certain concepts (or sitting in the same room so to speak). One of those being Taiji as a viable tool for treating some of the diseases that continue to challenge western medicine.  The New England Journal of Medicine is no stranger to controversy related to what they will publish. It is certainly not always in accordance with typical western medicine’s way of thinking.  Last week an article was published based on the works of   Fuzhong Li, Ph.D., Peter Harmer, Ph.D., M.P.H., Kathleen Fitzgerald, M.D., Elizabeth Eckstrom, M.D., M.P.H., Ronald Stock, M.D., Johnny Galver, P.T., Gianni Maddalozzo, Ph.D., and Sara S. Batya, M.D.

N England  Journal  Medicine  2012; 366:511-519     February 9, 2012

I commend them and greatly appreciate the efforts of  Fuzhong Li, Ph.D and his colleagues.  Also with his permission I present to you a condensed version of their report including their conclusion as posted on the site of The New England Journal of Medicine. 

Tai Chi and Postural Stability in Patients with Parkinson's Disease

Background

Patients with Parkinson's disease have substantially impaired balance, leading to diminished functional ability and an increased risk of falling. Although exercise is routinely encouraged by health care providers, few programs have been proven effective.

Methods

We conducted a randomized, controlled trial to determine whether a tailored tai chi program could improve postural control in patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease. We randomly assigned 195 patients with stage 1 to 4 disease on the Hoehn and Yahr staging scale (which ranges from 1 to 5, with higher stages indicating more severe disease) to one of three groups: tai chi, resistance training, or stretching. The patients participated in 60-minute exercise sessions twice weekly for 24 weeks. The primary outcomes were changes from baseline in the limits-of-stability test (maximum excursion and directional control; range, 0 to 100%). Secondary outcomes included measures of gait and strength, scores on functional-reach and timed up-and-go tests, motor scores on the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale, and number of falls.

Results

The tai chi group performed consistently better than the resistance-training and stretching groups in maximum excursion (between-group difference in the change from baseline, 5.55 percentage points; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12 to 9.97; and 11.98 percentage points; 95% CI, 7.21 to 16.74, respectively) and in directional control (10.45 percentage points; 95% CI, 3.89 to 17.00; and 11.38 percentage points; 95% CI, 5.50 to 17.27, respectively). The tai chi group also performed better than the stretching group in all secondary outcomes and outperformed the resistance-training group in stride length and functional reach. Tai chi lowered the incidence of falls as compared with stretching but not as compared with resistance training. The effects of tai chi training were maintained at 3 months after the intervention. No serious adverse events were observed.

Conclusions

Tai chi training appears to reduce balance impairments in patients with mild-to-moderate Parkinson's disease, with additional benefits of improved functional capacity and reduced falls. (Funded by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00611481.)
Supported by a grant (NS047130) from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
Disclosure forms provided by the authors are available with the full text of this article at NEJM.org.
No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.
We thank all the study participants (in Eugene, Corvallis, Salem, and Portland) for their support and dedication to this research project; the neurologists for providing medical clearance and Parkinson's disease stage diagnoses for their participating patients; the project instructors (Vicki Anderson, Denise Thomas-Morrow, Don Hildenbrand, Brian McCall, James Lusk, Nancy Nelson, Teena Hall, Machiko Shirai, and Julie Tye); the research assistants (Debbie Blanchard, Kristen Briggs, Ruben Guzman, Daehan Kim, Lisa Marion, Arissa Fitch-Martin, Kimber Mattox, Julia Mazur, Donna McElroy, Jordyn Smith, and Rachel Tsolinas); the physical therapists (Andrea Serdar, Jeff Schlimgen, Jennifer Wilhelm, Ryan Rockwood, and Connie Amos at Oregon Health and Science University); the study data analyst, Shanshan Wang; Kathryn Madden and the members of the institutional review board at the Oregon Research Institute for their careful scrutiny of the study protocol; and Ron Renchler for proofreading earlier drafts of the manuscript.

Source Information

From the Oregon Research Institute (F.L.), the Oregon Medical Group (K.F.), and the PeaceHealth Medical Group–Oregon (R.S.) — all in Eugene; Willamette University (P.H.) and BPM Physical Therapy Center (J.G.) — both in Salem, OR; Oregon Health and Science University, Portland (E.E.); Oregon State University, Corvallis (G.M.); and Oregon Neurology Associates, Springfield (S.S.B.).
Address reprint requests to Dr. Li at the Oregon Research Institute,

1715 Franklin Blvd., Eugene, OR 97403

, or at fuzhongl@ori.org.