Thank you for your straightforward and focused videos. I had a very good teacher, who emphasized taiji principles and explained the martial significance of everything. (He just retired). It was an impediment, however, that he relied heavily on Qi and mythological meridians etc in many explanations. I am very happy to hear ypu referring explicitly to physics and anatomy. Will follow your channel with great interest.
Qi and their meridians are at the basis of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and they are also important in Taiji. But more is needed to explain the movement of a human body. In my view, it is of primary importance that practitioners reap the amazing benefits of Taiji as early on as possible. I find that physics, anatomy, physiology, and psychology are natural tools (for those who can relate to them) for promoting understanding and, thus, faster progress in this art.
Thanks very much for your insights. This answers a question I have had about whether equilibrium is possible or to what extent. Your videos really contribute alot to myself and the community!
In a practical sense, Since in taiji we train for elasticity and connection of the internal body, could we say that “moving towards central equilibrium “ is our internal body (start) then external body “ reorganizing “ itself as a result of any type of pressure. That could be either self applied (ie: the form) pressure from another (ie: push hands) Your thoughts
Thank you for this excellent comment. In analyzing questions about Taiji, I always think of its martial origins (Taijiquan), in which knowing your limits of skill, strength, and safety are essential for self-protection. So knowing how far you are straying from central equilibrium in a situation-appropriately so or not-is essential. An analogy can be made to driving an automobile safely. You need to know the car’s intrinsic limitations and features such as braking distance and horsepower, how fast you are going, when to signal, where you are in your lane or how much to adjust relative to what other cars are doing, your “car language” (how your driving affects others’ reactions that could be dangerous), etc. Taiji form and push-hands are beautiful ways for developing a central-equilibrium conceptual framework that then carries over to everyday human relations and actions that affect our heath well-being, and longevity. Doing so also helps others around us.
I do truly appreciate your insights. And, at 63, I was today years old when I learned that “lb” is an abbreviation for “libra”. Thanks.
Thanks for your appreciative comment.
Thank you for your straightforward and focused videos. I had a very good teacher, who emphasized taiji principles and explained the martial significance of everything. (He just retired). It was an impediment, however, that he relied heavily on Qi and mythological meridians etc in many explanations. I am very happy to hear ypu referring explicitly to physics and anatomy. Will follow your channel with great interest.
Qi and their meridians are at the basis of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and they are also important in Taiji. But more is needed to explain the movement of a human body. In my view, it is of primary importance that practitioners reap the amazing benefits of Taiji as early on as possible. I find that physics, anatomy, physiology, and psychology are natural tools (for those who can relate to them) for promoting understanding and, thus, faster progress in this art.
Thanks very much for your insights. This answers a question I have had about whether equilibrium is possible or to what extent. Your videos really contribute alot to myself and the community!
Thank you for expressing your appreciation.
In a practical sense, Since in taiji we train for elasticity and connection of the internal body, could we say that “moving towards central equilibrium “ is our internal body (start) then external body “ reorganizing “ itself as a result of any type of pressure. That could be either self applied (ie: the form) pressure from another (ie: push hands)
Your thoughts
Thank you for this excellent comment. In analyzing questions about Taiji, I always think of its martial origins (Taijiquan), in which knowing your limits of skill, strength, and safety are essential for self-protection. So knowing how far you are straying from central equilibrium in a situation-appropriately so or not-is essential. An analogy can be made to driving an automobile safely. You need to know the car’s intrinsic limitations and features such as braking distance and horsepower, how fast you are going, when to signal, where you are in your lane or how much to adjust relative to what other cars are doing, your “car language” (how your driving affects others’ reactions that could be dangerous), etc. Taiji form and push-hands are beautiful ways for developing a central-equilibrium conceptual framework that then carries over to everyday human relations and actions that affect our heath well-being, and longevity. Doing so also helps others around us.