Michael wrote that he just lately bought Grasp Hwa’s DVD sequence and has some questions in regards to the Tai Chi Classics saying to not lean the physique, the load distribution of the physique, the Tai Chi Classics, and Yin and Yang:
“As I watched the video extra intently, I am being drawn to the motion of the decrease limbs from the hips down. Can I assume that grasp Hwa advocates the separation of yin-yang footing with 100% weight on one leg and the opposite 0% in all postures (besides the tip of the only whip)? Whereas I perceive the importance of the load shifting from one stance to a different – I am to know the load distribution of the comb knee step on the finish. Is it 100% within the entrance leg, and the again leg is insubstantial? I am learning the classics by zhang sang Feng, and the classics talked about that one shouldn’t lean on any aspect. I might interpret this as leaning ahead, backward, or on the sides – but when there may be 100% weight on one leg, I do assume that there’s a leaning drive contain? “
In Classical Tai Chi, my trainer, Grasp Stephen Hwa, explains the rules of motion (the how and why) when it comes to Yin and Yang. He additionally explains the rules when it comes to “body weight distribution.” When one strikes, they don’t let their weight “distribute” itself in an out-of-control method. Carrying the load in an out-of-control method is a grievous error and may have each well being and martial penalties. This idea is defined intimately: DVD sequence, Yahoo E-mail Group, Classical Tai Chi Discussion board, Classical Tai Chi Web site (Desk of Contents for DVD).
When one takes a step ahead in Classical Tai Chi, the load stays 100% on the again foot till the entrance foot is flat on the bottom 0%. The practitioner will then pull the physique ahead until the body weight of 100% is on the entrance foot, with the again foot turning into 0%. The physique weight distribution is each dynamic, fluid, and steady by means of all postures with no exception. The right motion for weight distribution is illustrated within the Tai Chi Stroll, as seen within the hooked up video hyperlink to Youtube.
An understanding of “leaning” in Classical Tai Chi ought to embody the thought that one ought to take the Tai Chi Classics with the proverbial “grain of salt.” The Classics are, as Grasp Hwa has mentioned and are “attributed to varied authors.” No matter who wrote them, we didn’t hear of them till Wu Yu Xiang “finds them in a Salt Store.” The Classics, for one, don’t specify what they imply by “lean.” Did “don’t lean” by the paranormal Zhang Sanfeng imply don’t lean in any respect, don’t lean an excessive amount of? 倾斜, is outlined as “incline, tip, bias, slope, however I can not discover the phrase “lean” outlined as “incline” in Chinese language. Lean in Chinese language is extra like “skinny” as in a lean piece of meat. occur to love “incline” higher than the phrase “lean” used for Tai Chi phrases and in pinyin one says “Qingxie.”
There’s the time period “incline” within the Wu Household Gold E-book as elucidated by Grandmaster Wu Kung Cho. What he means is don’t “incline” by breaking on the waist. You see loads of “breaking on the waist” in some types of Tai Chi; it’s painful to observe. Grasp Hwa does use the time period “lean.” In his clarification, he makes it work in English the place “incline” wouldn’t. He doesn’t warning towards it, as does Zhang Sanfeng; quite the opposite, he tells us how and why we have to do it. You’ll be able to learn it intimately on web page 56 of his treatise in “Uncovering the Treasure.” I believe there’s a essential level concerning not “breaking on the waist” when he says: “The pinnacle, the physique, and the again leg type a straight line within the lean ahead.” One can readily see that breaking on the waist would break the straight line and any vitality stream.
To sum it up, whereas having some key insights, the Classics are sometimes stuffed with “contrariness” and may be very cryptic. Subsequently, I might not attribute deviation in fundamental rules of Classical Tai Chi to what are sometimes opposite statements within the Tai Chi Classics, therefore “take it with a grain of salt.” No pun on the “Salt Store” of the Classics discovery supposed.