We are delighted that the Shefford Community Hall is to receive a make over during October – as a consequence we will be moving our Tai Chi classes to Southill Village Hall on Sunday evenings and to Campton Village Hall on Monday afternoons for the duration of October.
I look forward to seeing students in Southill and Campton during October – and to returning to a sparkly updated new Shefford hall in November!
Models for training, practice and life
Many intellectual and emotional models all congruent with each other integrated in a body trained in their principles, which demonstrates the sum of those models and physical practice. Physically the ability to propagate waves through the body emanating from the centre by integrated segmental motion. This result could be considered an all-embracing model/demonstration and given a label – a model of models, a meta-model – is this description a Western version of chi?
The chi model is perhaps the external black box view – whereas all the other psychological, mechanical, biological etc. are internal. An ultimate paradox that the eastern model of the internal art is actually an external view.
Meridians
With any large and complex multi-technology system or network, e.g. electro, optical, mechanical, if one puts in a sufficiently large and broadband probe, then a readout will be achieved that represents the sum of the systems at that point and may well enable a link through the network to another probe or to specific parts of the system. It is likely that there will be patterns of such places in the network which appear linked, even though no one specific system goes directly along these pathways.
So chi may be regarded as the sum of all the systems – and in movement then chi = fluidity, grounding, centeredness, suppleness, resilience, etc. etc. If one part of the body is less integrated then power cannot be fully transmitted through it – causing a “block”.
Thus chi = breath = life = sum of all we are, and has varying facets depending on the perspective we use – e.g. physical, emotional, medical.
Thus tai chi – ultimate breath = the way of achieving maximum potential.
Tai Chi Chuan – ultimate boxing – the way of utilising our developed abilities in a fight in the best way.
The paradox is that we have to find the internal via the external.
Inner feeling is the measure we use to judge our body state but we need external help – by demonstration or manipulation to find it – or luck in identifying it and connecting the “right” feeling with powerful actions.
Our teacher can show us postures, movements, exercises with a view to our experiencing “that” feeling. The feeling itself cannot be transmitted directly so we have to go from inside our body to outside, then hope that the feeling experienced in the second body is close to that which the teacher is trying to explain. Since the feeling seems to be different for everyone and different at different stages, this becomes a recurring circle – in effect a spiral of learning. When we have identified the feeling we are looking for, then we can seek it in every movement and work with it to develop ourselves.
Change of state
What we are engaged in is creating a change of state within ourselves – i.e. changing the way our mind/body subconsciously behaves and responds to external and internal stimuli – we seek to change the way we are in the world and thus the way the world finds us in order to improve outcomes. It seems to be the change of state that is important for health, relaxation, long life, balance, speed, power etc. so that whether for health or martial arts we must first change ourselves most profoundly. Only when we have done this can we decide which aspect to focus on, with light training for health and ultimately more strenuous training to build greater strength for martial arts. Interestingly it is not a case of a once and for all change since once the direction has been changed then continuous developmental change seems to be possible almost to the very day we die.
These aspects are particularly difficult to understand from another dis-similar state, since we have great difficulty conceiving of any other way of being than that which we are used to. Especially since the training is often counter-intuitive and contrary to much mainstream thinking. The process is consequently often slow and one of gradually revealing possibilities.
By physical change of state I mean affecting the way the body actions are organised, the sequencing of muscle usage, the structural use of tendons and mechanical alignment, the sensitivity of the nervous system and the way it reacts to stimuli, the way we integrate the neuromuscular systems and the other less obvious sub-conscious internal activities. By mental change of state I mean developing a congruence of thought with external reality and our physical experience of the world, developing intellectual and emotional models on the basis of understood principles likely to lead to more positive outcomes – principles which are common across the mental/physical planes. Ultimately leading to a full integration of one’s being and realisation of self and of personal potential.
Final classes in Luton at Chaul End Community Centre will be on the 17th and the 31st of August 2016 – existing students and anyone interested in Tai Chi are very welcome to come to any of my other classes in Shefford, Hitchin or Letchworth. Please see here for details or contact me for information.
I was talking one day with a student about the behaviours that might be considered advantageous in a physical conflict – and gave him a homework project to think of a list of 5 or 6 – then to write about them – and of how they might also have positive aspects in constructive relationships.
In thinking about it later I gave myself the same task and came up with the following list. It then occurred to me that actually they are all facets of the same thing – each related to the others – labels with the same content seen from a different angle – each compliments the others – and indeed each has its positive aspect that would be a valuable behaviour in a caring/loving relationship. They are not good or bad – we get to choose the end to which we put our skills and seeing both aspects we get to make that very human choice of who we wish to be. Tai Chi simply provides a means of developing those skills and exploring their value.
They are in no particular order although I have in some cases grouped more closely related items together – the whole exercise is really about provoking thought.
In looking at the value of these behaviours in positive, caring and loving relationships we can usually look at the way the behaviour works in a negative way and do the opposite and so this is the format I have adopted in the following notes – first the behaviour – then the way it works in a destructive relationship like a fight – then the way it works in a creative relationship in italics. Both represent harmony in their own way – as so often in life – it is all about the intention – how the energy is directed.
Read the whole piece HERE
I came across this recently – it seems quite a credible piece so I thought I’d share it:
In a study recently published by the Journal of Alzheimer s Disease, it shows that in a clinical trial, Tai Chi/Taiji was proven that it actually helped seniors to grow their brain size. Improvements also were observed in several neuropsychological measures, which are indicative that the onset of the Alzheimer s disease may be delayed with Tai Chi practice.
As a child in a post war western society of the 50’s feedback was a very hit and miss affair – sometimes literally – but rarely was there useful guidance.
It is only in recent times that the growth and popularisation of western psychology has led to study of human behaviour in anything like scientific observational terms and availability of that knowledge on a widespread basis. Perhaps it was this lack of constructive feedback that led me and many like me in the 60’s and 70’s looking to the eastern Buddhists and Taoists – early “scientific” students of the natural world – for a knowledge based approach to the human experience.
What was previously a random series of experiences and poorly understood lessons was termed the “school of life” – in fact this was a complete misnomer – there was/is very little teaching and very little learning in life skills – in fact often simply a series of falling into and negotiating traps and tests set by others followed by a struggle to recover from them. Fortunately the knowledge we have now has the potential to greatly enhance the life learning process both externally in our social behaviours and in our internal experiences.
Read the rest of the article HERE
We are getting really close now to our Tai Chi residential weekend which runs from Friday afternoon through to Sunday afternoon over the weekend of 9th to 11th September – this is a lovely opportunity to learn, explore and develop your Tai Chi in the quiet relaxed atmosphere of the CCT Centre just outside Bungay in Suffolk.
There will be classes in Chen Laojia form, Broadsword form, Chi Kung, Tai Chi exercises – silk reeling, Partner work and Push Hands. It is open to existing students plus anyone with previous experience of Tai Chi. Class size is restricted to 12 people.
Venue: Belsey Bridge, Ditchingham, Bungay, Suffolk, NR35 2DZ
Cost: £290 (en-suite). Payment in advance
Late booking fee of £30 after 1st August
Includes tuition with full board.
For further details and pictures please see here.
To book call Ian Deavin on 01462 621970
A piece containing thought provoking ideas and observations linking martial arts and life with a view to learning what goes on in life and why – and how we can develop to deal with it. For example:
Conflict and co-operation in social groups – social rules limiting combat and aiding working together. A superior survival strategy was found.
As intellect developed humans began seeking models, explanations and better ways of doing things – better traps, better tools etc. to survive better.
Natural events were considered to be animated – “aboriginal dreamtime”, paganism – Shinto, Wyker
Seeking to manipulate events – natural and other people – magic, ritual, spells and para-psychology.
Anthropomorphism – ascribing what we know (from ourselves and our family structures) onto outside events and beings – linking animals and humans – animism, totems – seeking to take on the power of others. Hinduism, Greek/Norse mythology, Druids, American Indian beliefs etc. etc,
Religion – development of fantasy “what if?” models – seeking explanations using intellectual creativity based on developments of previous beliefs. E.g. now one god rather than many. Fantasy based social structures creating power based opportunities – believe my fantasy or I’ll kill you, believe my fantasy and you must do as I say – “we play my game ‘cos it’s my ball”
Read the rest of the piece HERE
This is an early piece written in a time of my transition from Karate to Tai Chi and before I started Chen Style – or met my current teacher Karel Koskuba or his teacher Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang – so probably about 15 years ago or possibly more.
———————————————————————-
To put my position clearly I should start by explaining that my own background is of about 15 years Shotokan practice and almost 10 years of Yang style Tai Chi, bringing them both together in the same body has become a continuing process. What follows then is as much an account of a personal journey as an intellectual/physical study.
At first glance most Karate student’s comment on Tai Chi is something along the lines of “what has it to do with fighting?” and yet there is (even now) a mystique attached to it in Karate literature and discussion. Sensei Nakayama I believe when asked “which is better Sensei, Karate or Tai Chi?” commented “Karate is for humans, Tai Chi is for supermen “. This mystique is added to today as we look, with limited understanding, at masters such as Kanazawa Shihan, who publicise their own practice and manage to maintain extraordinary ability into a stage of life when most people are considering problems doing day to day tasks. The health aspect and that of meditation/stress management for which Tai Chi has become known in the west has sanitised it, hiding the reality that it is a thoroughly practical martial art – it was first codified that way some 400 years ago, and is still regarded as that by teachers I have studied under in Beijing, Hong Kong and the UK. Some of whom do not see it as anything else and are bemused that anyone should consider it apart from its fighting applications.
Madam Yeung for example, daughter of the late Grandmaster Yang Shou-chung certainly considers her family style to be a martial art (and has the sense of humour to prove it!). So too with Madam Sun, daughter of Sun Lu-t’ang who originated Sun style Tai Chi from Xingi-chuan, Baghua and Wu/Hao style Tai Chi. At more than 80 years of age Madam Sun can still impress with her demonstrations, including a throat attack with the “tiger mouth” formed between thumb and forefinger that seems to bring a light to her eyes!
At a simplistic level we can see similarities in many postures, for example there are equivalents to the basic Uchi uke and Gedan barai, although in Tai Chi there are often a range of possible uses rather than the one or two generally taught to Karate students. Other examples of similarity come from various Kihon and Kata, all easier to demonstrate than describe. This is not really surprising, the bodies are the same and the aim of dealing with violence also the same, we should rather be surprised if such similarities did not exist.
Karate has its quota of fighting legends who would take on anybody, or went out onto the street looking for combat – so too has Tai Chi. Probably the best known of these was the founder of Yang style Yang Lu-ch’an who it seems was often challenged to prove his skill. Similarly Yang Ch’ien-hou, an imperial instructor, was once challenged to defend against attack with a spear. In more recent years Sun Lu-t’ang, originator of Sun style Tai Chi, managed to get quite a reputation as an outright fighter. The parallels continue, for example the saying “there is no first strike in Karate “, is matched by the words of Yang Lu-ch’an “when fighting with an opponent, do not move, but wait for the opponent to move, then move first.”
Read the full piece HERE
Covering exercises, spiralling movement, Qigong, mindfulness, meditation,
Tai Chi principles and Alexander principles.
The seminar will be run by Ian Deavin and Judy Hammond and participants will be engaged in a fascinating mix of meditation and movement, creating inner body awareness and developing a practical and spiritual mind/body link of considerable strength.
Qigong is a basic training method of Tai Chi coupled with body spiralling, also found everywhere in the movement of dance and the natural world. Principles of Alexander Technique posture and relaxation aid in achieving good balance and relaxed easy movement – developed by Tai Chi practitioners into a way of creating powerful body centred action.
Venue: The Letchworth Centre for Healthy Living
Rosehill Hospital, Hitchin Road, Letchworth, Hertfordshire, SG6 3NA
17th July 2016, 9.30am – 12.30pm
Cost: £45 per seminar for bookings up to 1 week before the seminar. £55 after
To book contact The Letchworth Centre for Healthy Living on 01462 678804
Please wear suitable loose clothing and flat soled trainers or similar
