I was walking home after taiji class, when it occurred to me why the moves in taiji are so cruel. It takes a long time to be able to correctly apply the principles of taiji, to learn how to listen, understand, neutralise and use force. Once you are able to do so, you are able to control your opponent's and your own force so well that you can choose the exact effect that you want, whether it is to make your opponent lose balance, break his ribs or push him back a few feet. But until then, you are unable to properly use "soft against hard". So if you meet up with trouble and really need to save yourself, you will need to rely on technique rather than skill. That is why the techniques in taiji are designed to be cruel and lethal, so that it is one shot one kill. The underlying rule is that a person learning taiji will be a person of martial morals, and thus will not abuse the cruel techniques, instead using them only in times of dire need.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
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6 comments:
Hi there,
I'm interested in picking up taiji. Din know that there are so many things to learn here in Singapore about taiji.
What are the things i should consider when picking a school/CC to learn from?
A few questions would be:
How long has the teacher been teaching there and elsewhere?
Are there any students who have been with the teacher for long (>5yrs)?
There must be reasons why a teacher is able to sustain teaching at a place for long, and with students continuing to train under him.
And of course, have patience, it takes time to learn taiji, you definitely won't be able to learn anything much within 3 months. Probably need a year to pick up something properly, and a few more years to become reasonably good at it.
I see.
I am kinda looking around. Dun really know what to expect. Hopefully find one instructor and stick to learning from him (not sure if taiji is viewed as exercise or martial arts in Singapore or if switching instructor is considered a big problem).
I keep seeing push hands stuff in your blog. I've never seen anyone do it at CC or the fields. Is that something regularly done in taiji classes?
Andy, if you want, do drop by at one of my teacher's classes.
http://mytaijijournal.blogspot.com/2009/03/taiji-classes-by-mr-kwek-li-hwa.html
http://mytaijijournal.blogspot.com/2008/12/pushing-hands-classes.html
My teacher is likely to be the only one teaching pushing hands at CC. I don't know about other places that teach pushing hands alone, but some places do teach pushing hands as part of their taiji class. I think the 31 May 09 edition of The Sunday Times will have a small article on his pushing hands class.
Hi Teck,
Which road is Poh Khiu Temple near to? I'm thinking of checking it out but cannot find it after googling.
Poh Khiu Temple is along Da Silva Lane, near Simon Road. Which is in turn near Upper Serangoon Road, nearest MRT is Kovan MRT.
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