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Posted by Marky on 10/30/2002, 7:19 am I've been practicing Fong's wing chun for about three and a half years now, and just recently started learning Yang taiji. I enjoy the taiji classes, and I thought they would help me with sensitivity/chi sao, but that certainly hasn't been the case. Within 10 seconds of learning push-hands I felt like I had been practicing it for years, and the taiji instructor thought that I had been, too! The techniques were similar to some wing chun techniques, but it was pretty easy because one person is always "yang" while the other is "yin", if you follow me. So the taiji instructor wanted to learn chi sao (thinking he would figure it out instantly as well), and everything went to hell from there. I showed him the basic techniques for rolling, and he was pushing every which way. Drilling straight in seemed to be an impossibility, as was the concept of equalizing force. The guy happens to be a great taiji instructor, he's certified under a very excellent teacher (who I don't name because I don't want to inadvertently hurt anyone's feelings), and he's also practiced bagua and xingyi.
24.128.120.230
Hi everybody,
Also, when executing a basic push in taiji, the hands start at the lower abdomen/dan tian, and one leg extends backward. His explanation for the power in the push was, "the jin generated from the ground travels up the leg in a straight line, and the hands are energized by the dan tian, and continue along the same line as the leg until they hit their target, at your chest height." Everyone in the class believed him, except me, because I've been doing "wing chun" punches with my hands in almost the same fashion, but my legs have always been shoulder-width apart and slightly bent, nothing like he was doing, and I like to think my punches have SOME power!
However, I'm still convinced that Taiji can add a new facet to my martial art/sparring ability, and I know Fong teaches Taiji in Tucson. I've asked my wing chun teacher for advice but he's not too helpful in that respect, probably because he doesn't want to insult any person or style. Does anyone here have any similar experiences? Can you let me in on what I should focus on in Taiji to improve in martial arts in general? I intend to learn the forms, but I would like to get a little more out of it than that, if possible!
P.S.-- All metaphysical, transcendental, and esoteric discussions are welcomed, also. I realize that can be a big part of Taiji, so I certainly don't want to rule it out!
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