We continue working on Fa-Jing Taiji Stick on Wednesday nights. Through the weeks, we learn and practice
- Short Preliminary Stick Forms
- Long Fa-jing Stick Form
- Dual Person Fighting Stick Form
- Plenty of Dual Drills and Training Devices
The Taiji Fa-Jing Stick Fighting Methods of the WTBA empower our group of Stick Fighters. All told, it goes very well. Stick Training is naturally potent and fun. Students of the Stick quickly gather the inner Taiji attitude—escpecially the principle of—when attacked, attack first!
Not an easy self-defense principle to get, especially in slow-moving forms, when attacked—Attack First! Principle is the most important internal arts training concept. It’s a kin to the energetic concept of Peng: to ward off by lifting upwards. The Attack First Principle quite literally allows for a Warding-Off by beating the attacker to the punch, which (naturally) disrupts the attack’s force.
Because it’s so potent, we hold tight reigns on the inner animal and we take seriously the potential for injuries. So we work Dual Person Fighting Form and Drills in short, accurate bursts to prevent over-animalizing our minds and bodies. Eyes opened wide with sticks clacking and bodies shaking (Fa-jinging), we draw out the inner animal in brief, measurable, exciting ways. But inevitably, with this kind of attitude, laughter pours out. Safe stick fighting rejuvenates the spirit—it’s fun and funny.
Playing with sticks is natural and fun for everyone. Bears do it; you can too.
The Bear Stick Form
Stick training is so awesome. I’ve been doing stick training, with Steven and the other students, since the beginning of the summer. It’s quite the workout to swing a stick around for an hour straight, and there is always something new to learn with all the diversity in the training methods that the W.T.B.A brings to the table. I can’t express in words how beneficial to my over all well-being training with Steven has been, so come to our stick class and you can experience that excitement for yourselves!
Great video and article Steven! Animals are so amazing in how human like they can be! We clearly are all connected! Hopefully I’ll make it to wednesday’s class! Thanks for all you do!
Hahaha! Awsome. The bear form is great! I think I’ve found another teacher =P
Mike, you train hard (and soft), so I can’t get all the credit.
Sierra, good to work with you again yesterday.
Nick, good to read from you, and I look forward to working with you again (think about February).