Lynn Sharp and Donna Lynch Play Push Hands at TCA in Sedona This will be the last post in this series. Having looked at the subject over the last couple of months, I want to wrap up with a few thoughts for you to consider. If you are only concerned with self defense or competition, then disregard all this and just learn techniques to accomplish those goals and practice push hands to hone those techniques. Just make sure that your training partner or teacher knows that this is your goal. However, winning and losing is not the only game… Read More
Scholars’ Garden at Someday Farm — June 16th
May 4, 2013 by Leave a Comment
June 16 at Someday Farm is the next chapter of our annual Scholars Garden seminars that began many years ago at the Chinese Scholars Garden in Staten Island. Stephe and I are excited to also welcome presentations this year from the amazing Maria Barrett. Our theme for this workshop is “Living in the Sweet Spot: Your Body and Wholeness.” “Sweet Spots” are those points of body/mind/spirit integration that replenish our energy, calm our minds, and make our bodies smile. We’ve all had our moments, but what if we could bring them into our daily lives? When not in the Sweet… Read More
Yao, Not Waist, in Taijiquan
March 21, 2013 by Leave a Comment
How do you generate internal power in taijiquan? For years I have emphasized the essential triad of: Energetic coherence. Central equilibrium. Ball-Knee-Kua Energetic coherence brings your body-mind into a state of wholeness by marshaling the organizing power of the liquid crystal matrix, your connective tissue system. The easiest, most reliable way to do this is to point and reach with your index fingers. Central equilibrium is that sweet spot that connects you up to the Big Qi of Heaven and Earth. It is most easily found by centering your body’s mass over the balls of your feet. Instant root.… Read More
What Could Be Better Than This?
February 22, 2013 by Leave a Comment
To create or experience anything we need space. Internal space is the territory we stake out in our consciousness where we can safely go. Fear reduces our willingness to know, create, experience, and relate. A catatonic has a very small internal space. People go into the fetal position when terrified, so as to find a space where they can relax and feel safe. Love opens us up to new experiences and expands the space where we feel safe and comfortable. The Edge exercise creates internal space by allowing us to safely explore our relationship to the body and to… Read More
What’s Going on Inside?
February 1, 2013 by 2 Comments
Taijiquan is an internal martial art. What that actually means can provoke some heated arguments. For my nickel, it means that most of what makes a movement or posture effective is happening on a non-physical level. It still manifests as physical, but initiates in the mind. There’s a lot more going on than we can keep track of in any moment, but we can lead the parade with our conscious attention. That’s what leads the qi, and the body follows. This video shows the sequence I follow when doing any taiji movement. Push is one of the simplest, so it… Read More
