In tidying up my desk and my old files, I’ve come across many hand-written notes (spanning over 20 years) on my classes and one-on-one social interactions with Rose Li, my original and main Taijiquan teacher, celebrated by many, including famous author and Eastern martial arts expert, Robert Smith. Here are a few comments, among very many. Some are very technical, while others have wider cultural and philosophical implications.
• RL confirmed to me that her formal Taijiquan “uncles” included the famous masters Sun Lu-tang, Liu Feng-shan and Wang Mo-chai.
• RL’s Baguazhang is essentially Sun Lu-tang’s “Modified System”, which includes 8 Changing Palms and 4 Animals walking.
• Taijiquan is the best Quan (martial art), internal or external, since its benefits last the longest.
• When she was growing up – in late 40s and early 50s – Wu style Taijiquan was very popular and influential in Beijing. RL says that the characteristic forward leaning posture comes from Xingyiquan.
• On using Qi to fight. RL says she prefers to save her Qi!
• RL says that the Chinese traditionally don’t believe that you can cure yourself, but that there are things that you can do to help Nature cure you.
• 3 Stages of Taijiquan: 1. Upper body is light, but the lower body firmly rooted. 2 The whole body is rooted, swimming in air and feeling light. 3. You “walk on water”. Alternatively: 1. Taiji does you – the body aches. 2. You do Taiji – every movement is deliberate. 3. Both you and Taiji are in harmony – movements become “silky”.
• Breathing and Qi. In youth, muscle power and brute strength tend to mask Qi or even block it. On the inhalation, the lower stomach is drawn in and the shoulder blades move slightly forward, while the back expands chest and upper abdomen are relaxed so that the breath cdan go into the lower back. On the exhalation, the lower stomach is released outward.
• Breathing and movements are usually coordinated. Inhalation usually corresponds to withdrawing, shrinking and lifting of the foot, while exhalation goes with moving outwards and rooting of the foot. The general aim is to lengthen the breath and slow the movements., although there can be quick, “changing breaths” if you get out of synch.
Andy James