#yangstyletaichi

[steelandcotton]

No matter how challenging the Push Hands, you can always smile.

Tallinn, Estonia Branch GRTC

[steelandcotton]

Song of Split

How can we explain the energy of Split? Revolving like a flywheel, If something is thrown against it, It will be cast off at a great distance. Whirlpools appear in swift flowing streams, And the curling waves are like spirals. If a falling leaf lands on their surface, In no time it will sink from sight.

-Quoted form the Yang Family Manuscripts Collected by Li Ling-ang Trans. Douglas Wile

[steelandcotton]

Training for skill in hands or sword, Zhangzhuan is at the core.

Photo of Wang Yen-nien with Scott M. Rodell at his side, 1993.

[steelandcotton]

Push Hands Yielding & Power Training at Great River Taoist Center- 

In the background student practice yielding and neutralizing during the "Willow Bends" exercise. Here the student being pushed cannot use his arms to neutralize. In the foreground, students throw a medicine all with a push from the legs. Throwing a ball is not a traditional exercise, but differs little from training with a spear of other weapons that employ a thrusting/pushing movement

[upfromtheskies8]

tai chi everyday. #taichisword #yangstyletaichi #onitsukatiger (at Petaluma, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/ClksQtULHwO/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[steelandcotton]

Criticism and Critiques

Many years ago, a classmate said to me, “It must be hard for you, it seems like Master Wang doesn’t like you.” We had just come out of a private meeting with our fellow disciple classmates. Somewhat surprised, I responded, “What do you mean?” He said Laoshi is always correcting you, criticizing you.” I said, that is because he cares about me and wants me to learn and improve. I pointed out that another classmate who had quit practicing, and quite literally achieve nothing, had simply been told, “It’s good you are back. You have your notes to work from.” 

At another International event in Europe, where we were training outdoors, some students took a break, walked away from the group, sat down and smoked cigarettes. Wang Laoshi walked by and chatted friendly with them. He didn’t ask them what the hell was wrong with them? We had few opportunities to all work together and they were wasting time smoking of all things. No, he didn’t bother. I was teaching one group at the time. Master Wang turned saw me, observed the technique I was teaching and came over to critique what I was doing. I guess he liked the smokers better than me. 

In all my years with Wang Yen-nien, he never complemented my technique or achievements in any way. Thankfully, he always told me what I was doing wrong and how to improve. I never needed to know what I was doing right, just what I could do better. And he clearly expected me to do better. He took the time to let me know that by being straight forward in his instructions to me. Thankfully he “didn’t like me” and criticized me all the time. Thanks to him, I am where I am now.

~ Scott M. Rodell

Photo: My teacher Wang Yen-nien writing “Perseverance” calligraphy that hangs at Great River Taoist Center

[thetaichistudio]

When I started Tai Chi and Chi Kung many years ago someone asked if there was a special breathing technique we should be using - bear in mind we had only just began our journey and this was the masters’ reply.

[steelandcotton]

William C.C. Chen makes his point during a Taijiquan Sanshou Seminar at Great River Taoist Center.

https://www.grtc.org/