This series is called
“Incomplete Tai chi” with Ian Sinclair
Much more to come…
An ongoing series, step by step, in short segments, mostly of 5-10 minute lessons.
- key concepts and basic exercises for exploring them
- detailed instruction for a particular movements or sequences
- approaching the the art with a linear and progressive curriculum
If some of these lessons are too detailed for you, you can skip them and come back to them later. Some focus more on health benefits, while others focus on martial concepts. The first lesson in each section is meant to be simple and easy to follow, introducing the basics of the movement. Following lessons will go into more detail than most tai chi student will ever encounter.
Learning to relax should not stress you out. If it is too much for you, don’t worry about it. Just go on to the next section when you feel like it. Later, you might decide to revisit the lessons you skipped.
Lesson 1: Prepared for Anything
Lesson 2: Warmups and Context
Lesson 3: From the Head and Neck to the Chest … and Back.
Lesson 4: The Waist, Legs, and the Dantian.
Lesson 5: The First Movement and its Variations
Lesson 6: Ward off (Peng 掤) – part 1
Lesson 7: Peng 掤 – part 2
Lesson 8: Peng 掤 – Part 3
Lesson 9: Peng 掤 – part 4
Lesson 10: Peng 掤 – part 5
Lesson 11: Peng 掤 – part 6
Lesson 12: Section 3 (preview)
Lesson 13: Hold the ball
Lesson 14: Coil the waist and twist the spine
Lesson 15: Watch that first step
Lesson 16 – Silk Reeling and “Peng”
Lesson 17: peng peng peng peng
Lesson 18: Elliptical peng and Lu
Lesson 19: The ocean becomes the river
Lesson 20: The Whirlpool
Lesson 21 : The complete 3rd section
Lesson 22- Applying Peng (Boing) and Lu (Roll)
These forms are not about literal martial techniques, although they could work out that way. Peng, Lu, Ji, and An are about understanding linear momentum. Peng and Lu are the essence of martial application.
Lesson 23: Cutting the line between up and down.
Lesson 24: 按 àn another thing…
Lesson 25: 4-hands solo practice
Extra: 4-Directions Tai chi Workout.
Lesson 26, Section 4: Single Whip
Single whip introduces the concept of “Split”, including various ways to move the opponent’s force away from your centre while reducing the angle to limit torque.
This movement has many variations and can be used in many martial applications. It is one of the rare tai chi movements that combines overt arm movement with simultaneous hip movement.
Lesson 27: Raise hands and pull down
Lesson 28: White crane spreads wings: zhou and kao…but mostly kao.
Zhou (elbow) and Kao (shoulder) can be seen as techniques. But their deeper meaning is one of mechanical principle. Zhou displaces the opponent’s centripetal tensile geodesic, while kao is a defence against the opponent doing the same.
Lesson 29 : Introducing Zhou 肘 using “Brush Knee and Push”
Lesson 30: Brush Knee Push Practice
Much more to come…