Must Read Must Do Archive
The First Complete Energetic Third of the Yang Chen Fu Long Form
The first third is an energetic warm-up. Warming the colon and lungs, energizing the stomach, liver, and heart, and revitalizing the central nervous system, this energetic first third introduces repetitive, refrain-like concepts of Grasp Swallow’s Tail, Single Whip, and Step-Parry-Punch.
This is an early Yang Chen Fu form: it maintains martial integrity. For example, Brush Knee Twist Step, in this version, utilizes weighted turning rather than removing weight from the turning leg. In various ways and for many reasons, an unweighted turn invites contortion at the knee joint. This form, by maintaining martial integrity, creates opportunities, unheard of in shorter “easy” forms, for fitness and joint health and mobility.
This early version also contains many motions unknown to many Yang Stylists: like Fishes in Eight! It’s a great form. After learning it, you’ll know why a long form is superior to a short form in many, many ways. Plus —learn this one and your transition into learning Grandpa Lu-chen’s form will be smooth and explosive.
A Real Taiji Workshop — Friday 15 August 2008, 6 pm - 9 pm
Immerse in the fundamentals of internal work. The emphasis in this workshop is self-awareness and healing potential. You will have a chance to dismantle belief systems and disrupt thought processes by exploring feeling-awareness.
- natural breathing
- reverse breathe
- tense
- relax
- find subtle waves
- examine cranial fluid waves in particular
We’ll use specific bits from World Taiji Boxing Association’s Yang Chen Fu’s Long Form; in particular, know Lift Hands and Cloud Hands. Qigong and a bit of ground work will deepen the breathing and the being-breathed sensations.
