Ken Gullette's Internal Fighting Arts Blog

Don't Rise to the Occasion -- Sink to the Occasion

chen taiji tai chi tai chi training Dec 14, 2019

I have been thinking about something all wrong.

When I prepare for something special, like a demonstration or especially a workshop like I attended a few weeks ago with Chen Huixian, I have approached it with the wrong mental attitude.

I often think that I need to prepare myself, get my body stronger and be able to "rise to the occasion."

But what I need to do is "sink to the occasion."

Let me explain.

I practiced Laojia Yilu two nights ago. Actually, I practiced three movements from Laojia Yilu. And then I isolated my practice to just one move.

I spent a lot of time on Hidden Hand Punch, and the sinking and spiraling -- not in the punch itself, but in the movements leading up to the punch, when your hands sweep low and outward, then spiral inwards as you close into the right kua, one hand flat and one in a fist.

Practicing the internal arts is like practicing the piano, or any musical instrument. My body is my instrument, and...

Join Me in Madison This Weekend to Study Taijiquan with Chen Huixian Nov 1-3

chen family taijiquan chen tai chi tai chi taijiquan Oct 27, 2019

I will be in Madison, Wisconsin starting this Friday, Nov. 1 through Sunday, Nov. 3 to study with Chen Huixian. If you live within driving distance, I hope you'll join me and train with one of the best.

Chen Huixian is an in-door disciple of her uncle, Grandmaster Chen Zhenglei. Other uncles include Chen Xiaowang and Chen Xiaoxing.

She grew up in the Chen Village and is highly skilled. Each time I train with her, I come away with deeper insights because of the personal corrections and coaching that she gives me.

She is teaching a workshop that will include the following:

Friday Night 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.

** Zhan Zhuang (Standing Stake)

** Silk-Reeling

Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (with a 2-hour lunch break)

** Chen Straight Sword Form (1st half)

Sunday 9:00 a.m. to Noon

** Chen Straight Sword Form (1st half)

Sunday 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Laojia Erlu ("Cannon Fist") Review and Corrections

Chen Huixian's workshops are punctuated with laughter. It is very refreshing to have an...

Translations of Ancient Tai Chi Classics Can Point You the Wrong Way

body mechanics tai chi May 15, 2019

I was reading a book by well-known martial artist and teacher, and he wrote something that could send people down the wrong path.

I like Dr. Yang Jwing-Ming. He has done some good things for the arts. He has tried to save some of the older texts and Chinese "songs" and "poems" related to martial arts.

He is a dedicated martial artist and scholar, and apparently a very nice guy. This is not about his skill.

But in his book, "Advanced Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan," he should have gone one step further when he translated and interpreted some old Tai Chi classics.

The first of the classics he presents in the book is supposed to be by Chang San Feng (also spelled Zhang San Feng), but we all know that there is absolutely no evidence that Chang San Feng was a real person. He is a "legend," which means he probably didn't exist. A lot of people who refuse to say the Chen family created the art insist that Chang created it centuries earlier.

Dr. Yang should have mentioned this in the...

Ken Gullette Interviewed by David Roth-Lindberg for Thoughts on Tai Chi Blog

interviews tai chi taijiquan Dec 21, 2018

David Roth-Lindberg interviewed me for his blog, "Thoughts on Tai Chi."

The Q&A was published today. Here is a link.

https://taichithoughts.wordpress.com/2018/12/21/qa-with-ken-gullette/

Ken Gullette's Internal Fighting Arts

Don't Rise to the Occasion -- Sink to the Occasion

Join Me in Madison This Weekend to Study Taijiquan with Chen Huixian Nov 1-3

Translations of Ancient Tai Chi Classics Can Point You the Wrong Way

Ken Gullette Interviewed by David Roth-Lindberg for Thoughts on Tai Chi Blog

Author - Instructor

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