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steelandcotton · 7 months

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"Never give a sword to a man who cannot dance.” Or at least Confucius is reportedly said so, though this quote is more likely apocryphal than genuine. If he had did indeed written this, Confucius would have no doubt have been using it as a metaphor for not placing someone in a position they are not qualified to fill. If we take this idea literally, then Confucius probably would have actually meant dancing when asked whether or not to trust someone with a Jiàn. Though probably not the sort of dancing you are thinking of. Confucius lived during the later Zhou dynasty (ca. 551–479 BC). During his life, and in many dynasties to come, “Sword Dances” were performed as ritual. The term Jiànwǔ (劍舞, literally, sword dance) was also used to describe the forms used to train soldiers. Minority peoples also practiced war dances to prepare for combat. These ritual court and religious dances required a high degree of precision, flow, and intent. Which is to say nothing of good body mechanics. As do forms practiced by large numbers of men at arms at close quarters when drilling. It then follows that if one is unable to “dance” well with a sword in hand, then it is also unlikely that he’ll flow well in swordplay. Consider if one cannot flow deftly, without hesitation, from one movement to the next in sword forms, or hesitates, rather than moving seamlessly from deflection to cut as one intent, then how can one expect to “dance” smoothly, like a swimming dragon, following and fluidly countering when one’s duifang’s sends blows are raining down?

Lack of preparation in the form of forms (“dances”), training in the Basic Cuts, partner drills, and a methodical progression from fixed step to moving swordplay practice, often results in the sort of slapping together of blades during swordplay derided by past sword teachers. One example from the manual, Zǐwǔ Jiàn by Huáng Hànxūn, advises, “Don’t mutually strike (swords) together at the same time…” And the Yang Family Taijiquan Skill and Essential Points by Huang Yuanxiu records, “The sword is never easy to pass down. Straight forward and back is incomprehensible. If you fake it, cutting like a saber, the old immortal Sanfeng will laugh to death.”

From a modern point of view, if you can’t “dance,” you should at least be cautious about jumping right into swordplay. Dancers move with the rhythm and flow of the music, and with their partners. They intuit the flow and use movements they’ve practiced to follow that pattern. Sounds a good deal like swordplay. If one hasn’t yet learned to “dance” beautifully through the sword form with the same sort of focus and intent of the ancient sword dances, don’t expect to flow with the duifang’s cuts as they rain down, it could be fairly easy to fall into the error

The fix is easy- Practice sword forms as if there’s a duifang there doing his best to cut you. Visual his movements and move with them. Train with a historically accurate sword to avoid misconceptions that arise from light weight, improperly balanced “weapons.” Practice your form mindfully to perfection and you’ll see a difference in your swordplay.

~Scott M. Rodell

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upfromtheskies8 · 1 year

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

#taichisword #yangstyletaichi #onitsukatiger

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thetaichistudio · 2 years

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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.

#yangstyletaichi #chi kung #meditation #beginnertoadvanced #5elementchikung

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chennaitaichi · 2 years

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'Me - Myself - My Taiji' #chennaitaichi #chennai_tai_chi #yangtaiji #yangstyletaichi (at Chennai, India) https://www.instagram.com/p/CdbJvZ9vHwY/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#chennaitaichi #chennai_tai_chi #yangtaiji #yangstyletaichi

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doslopez · 1 year

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Story Time...in 2020-2021 I Studied Wu Style Tai Chi...I Learned the 12 Form & 108 Form (Memoriezed It & Was Able to do Without Looking at Anything)...Was Learning Through Zoom, but the signal was blurry then Asked If I Could Return to School..But They Only Allowed Vaccinated People in Studio...Wasn't Going to Get Vaccinated After Many People Have Been Injured by Vaccine... Soo in 2022 I began my Search for a New School, A School or Dojo Where they accepted Everybody! I Still wanted to Learn Tai Chi, but if the Wu Family Wasn't Going to Accept Everybody then I Went with the Yang Family! Started the Yang Family Tai Chi in Nov, Yes the Yang is a bit more difficult (Always Up for a Challenge), Yes they Actually Work with the Energy (Which is why I Started Tai Chi in 1st Place) They Also Teach Qigong & Many Other Styles in the Dojo. Went to The Anshinkan Dojo Holiday Party, They had food, games & movies. They Started to Give Out Certificates (Honestly I didn't think I would get one, because I've missed a few classes...) Then They Gave Me One (Was Surprised) & That Previous Day Also Received One at Work! So Even When You Think You Are Not Making Progress, You Secretly Are! When 1 Door Closes, There's Others Out There Willing to Give You Opportunities to Flourish 🌟🎉 ☯️ ☯️ ☯️ ☯️ ☯️ ☯️ ☯️ ☯️ ☯️ ☯️ #CosplayDJ #taichichuan #yangstyle #AnimeGirl #SpreadYourMusictotheWorld #DosLopez #Otaku #Detroitdj #ReikiMaster #shaman #cosplayer #Halloween #reptilianshapeshifters #energyhealer #AlienFromSpace #yangfamily #multidimensional #martialarts #foodservice #yinyang #taichi #qigong #breathingexercises #certificate #anshinkan #spiritualhealer #SuccessStartsWithYOU #shamanism #taichiqigong #yangstyletaichi https://www.instagram.com/p/Cmo0hC_L5D4/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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martialarts4life-blog1 · 5 years

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#Repost @ye_yongxiang ・・・《太极•分脚》Taichi kicking #taichi #chi #太极 #太極拳 #武術 #中國 #art #kongfu #chinese #china #greatwall #stone #sea #performanceart #culture #peace #movies #yangstyletaichi #power #innerpeace #inner #blackandwhite https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs9sKyWlTdq/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1lk2sm24mqmah

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davissickmon · 5 years

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#selfie a day #297: post #workout frustration. I started from scratch again when I got the new cardio equipment in. That was three weeks ago. I started ‘lite’ and worked my way up quickly. Since I can monitor my heart, I keep it in the target range for my age (120 -145, I like to keep it floating about 140. Not easy.) last week I pulled out the sword, and start each session with Yang Style Tai Chi, then more into cardio. I end with a 5 minute meditation to cool off (well... mindfulness. I close the internal narrator, turn off my internal visualization for as long as I can, and focus on my breathing, the sweat rolling down my skin, my heart beating, etc.) 5 days a week, l three weeks so far. Next week I’ll start the optional morning workout (weights on the Bow Flex.). Results so far? Well, I feel pretty much great, but I gained weight back - I’m now 250lbs. That’s definitely discouraging, and outside the norm for me. I’ll get a week of the optional workout in, then start tracking my calorie intake. #taichi #yangstyletaichi #cardio #beingfatsucks #highbloodpressure https://www.instagram.com/p/B4BwMNqAZFm/?igshid=fwhf1m7b577k

#selfie #297 #workout #taichi #yangstyletaichi #cardio #beingfatsucks #highbloodpressure

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artinovo · 5 years

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Thought it was time for an old selfie🤔 Me doing some TaiChi. This is from about 100yrs ago before colour existed and when Mandurah was just a sleepy little coastal town🙂🙏 #photo #designer #portrait #painter #contemporaryartist #taichi #digitalartist #australianart #exhibition #yangstyletaichi #graphicart #uniquestateprints #creative #abstractpop #artyportraits #artfordecoration #decoration #interiors #interiordesign #contemporaryabstractart #digitalart #lux #style #pixelism #creative #awardwinningartist https://www.instagram.com/p/B3pIgLanoa6/?igshid=1rfmxfaz6btqh

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qicherie · 5 years

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Learn to balance you Chi (energy) @crenshawyogaanddance this Saturday from 8:30am-9:30am. Learn qigong techniques to open up your meridians and blocked chakras with slow meditative movements. I will then introduce you a few yang style tai chi forms to help improve your balance and memory! 5426 Crenshaw Blvd, Los Angeles 90043!#taichi #qigong #slowmeditativemovements #yangstyletaichi #energy #chi #increaseyourenergy #crenshawyogaanddance #forallages (at Crenshaw Yoga & Dance Studio) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bu9C1J-HSFb/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1035int4spwvb

#taichi #qigong #slowmeditativemovements #yangstyletaichi #energy #chi #increaseyourenergy #crenshawyogaanddance #forallages

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johncosma · 5 years

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Oldie but goodie #taijiquan #taiji #taichiquan #taichi #yangfamily #yangstyle #yangstyletaichi #snakecreepsdown #kungfu #gongfu #internalmartialarts #internalkungfu #internalgongfu #sifu #sifujohncosma #taoist #taoism https://www.instagram.com/p/BufC1F0AuvC/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1annxda03e2wg

#taijiquan #taiji #taichiquan #taichi #yangfamily #yangstyle #yangstyletaichi #snakecreepsdown #kungfu #gongfu #internalmartialarts #internalkungfu #internalgongfu #sifu #sifujohncosma #taoist #taoism

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steelandcotton · 8 months

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Three Types of Fearlessness

By Cheng Man-ch’ing

From: New Method of Self Cultivation

三無畏一、無艮喫苦。二、無艮喫虧。三、無畏厲害

(Literally) Three Without Fears: First, without fear of eating bitter Second, without fear of eating loss Third, without fear of ferocity.

Cheng Man-ch’ing wrote-

My discussion on fearlessness is intended only for those willing to exert effort.

First: Do not fear bitter work. If you do, you will never progress.

Second: Do not fear losing. The fundamental principle in taijiquan is to 'yield to follow others.' Yielding up your position to follow others is, most decidedly, losing.

Third: Do not fear ferocity. Laozi described men who have cultivated the life principle saying, 'a rhino finds no place to gore, a tiger feels nothing to claw, a soldier has nowhere to stab.' Why is this? Because they have no fear of death. Rather than praising the ferocity of a rhino, tiger or wean, Laozi exalts the softness which overcomes hardness."

#chengmanching #chengmanchingtaichi #chengmanchingtaijiquan #taijiquan #fearless #fearlessness #chinesemartialarts #chinesemartialart #taichi #taichiclass #taijiclasses #yangstyletaichi #yangstyletaichichuan #yangstylestaijiquan #yangstyle

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chennaitaichi · 2 years

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'Me - Myself - My Taiji' #chennaitaichi #chennai_tai_chi #yangtaiji #yangstyletaichi (at Chennai, India) https://www.instagram.com/p/CdbJvZ9vHwY/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#chennaitaichi #chennai_tai_chi #yangtaiji #yangstyletaichi

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futureancestors · 8 years

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I thought it'd be interesting to share a moment from this morning at The Center of My Being. I do Taiji, sometimes with Japanese Zen Bells ringing and silent Crouching Tiger in the background, under the watchful eye of Krishna. A good morning focus to be jamming all day. #meditation #focus #centerofbeing #yangstyletaichi #taiji #eastwest #krishna #sixthgeneration #realtime #oneworld

#yangstyletaichi #krishna #centerofbeing #realtime #focus #oneworld #sixthgeneration #meditation #taiji #eastwest

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artinovo · 4 years

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Another pattern.... what about TaiChi 😂😉 Started learning TaiChi in 1989 and been teaching it since ‘95 It really helped me with a back injury when I started, and also helped me to feel a lot more relaxed😉 It usually seems like seniors are attracted to it, though not many ever consider the strength or balance needed.... although this will come to those brave souls that actually stick with it😁👍 I teach the Yang Style Long Form here in Mandurah.... So if you’re in Mandurah you may have seen me practicing on the boardwalk😉 Come say hello when I’m finished the sequence.... I don’t bite 🤔 well, usually 😂😉 #artistic #artist #photographer #movementismedicine #aqua #liquid #amazingart #graphic #taichi #design #cosmic #patternofmovements #beautiful #flowing #smoothment #relaxing #mandurahlife #likewater #graphic #decor #xfactor #interior #depth #fluid #yangstyletaichi #sophisticated #style #movingmeditation #meditation #calming https://www.instagram.com/p/CDJaeGYnTAo/?igshid=1xe7ufxirii3c

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