An Author Archive

Yang Chen Fu Formed Foundation

Yang Chen Fu Single Whip

In January of ‘08, I wrote that Tai Chi Utah organized its foundation around Yang Chen Fu’s Early Form. That was then; things change. We head into deep waters.

Tai Chi Utah organized around the Yang Chen Fu Long Form, because I had trained that form since 1993. I knew that form better than the Old Yang Form. I taught people Yang Chen Fu’s Form, so we had a small network here that practiced it regularly. Many people here know the full length of it: it’s quite a bit longer, breath for breath, than 108 movements.

We practiced it in-depth and in-detail. We worked applications, martial and healing, for all the motions, and we covered the nuances that finesse fa-jing from this form. I know how it works, and I have received corrections that brought me deeper into the Supreme Ultimate Fist.

With the help of many students, I built a small skilled Tai Chi Chuan School here, in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. Everyone grew talented and strong. We thank Yang Chen Fu and the World Taiji Boxing Association’s Erle and Eli Montaigue for passing to us a fantastic, fluid, fun form. Thanks.

Eli taught here twice now. In each Tai Chi Chuan Workshop, he’s demonstrated the beginnings of the Old Yang Lu-chan Style. It’s better. It’s more slow (in parts), more explosive (other parts), more fluid, more dynamic, and more fun.

It goes deeper.

Read Organizing A Tai Chi Reformation »

World Taiji Boxing 2008 Event

Eli Montaigue, Head Instructor of the World Taiji Boxing Association, returned to Utah. He brought us more advanced Taijiquan. In September 2008, Saturday 27th - Sunday 28th, each day’s training went 10 am - 5 pm! 18 folks worked hard to become elastic and powerful.

Eli on the Rocks

It was at Steven Smith’s condo-complex, on the big lawn.

130 South 1300 East #210

Salt Lake City, UT 84102

For Eli’s second journey to Utah, we took it a step further.

Eli demonstrated and taught us:

Plus, everyone worked directly with Eli, receiving corrections and tips on Pushing Hands at the workshop. A number of folks signed up for private instruction before or after the workshop. And Steven Smith hosted dinner on Saturday night—that’s becoming a tradition.

Mother Applications in Taiji Small San-Sau

Mother Applications do not appear much in writing or on DVD. This is exclusive. From Eli’s site: “The mother applications from the small San-Sau are some of the best multiple strike kill methods out there, teaching you all about body movement, Fa-jing, and Dim-Mak. These method were banned in the US for a time due to being too violent! There is one Mother Application for every move in the Small San-Sau, the postures in the form are your first reaction, your defence, even though some of them alone can kill, the mother applications are your follow ups, never giving a sucker an even break as we like to call it!”

Read World Taiji Boxing 2008 Event »

Old Yang Lu ChanI feel safe in the presence of stress and aggression. I speak bravely and hold a confident attitude because I can kill with my bare hands. What silly rules of etiquette, scary social norms, or sadistic corporate policies stand in my way? What deviant criminal or sadistic fool can harm my good will? None. I can remain calm and watchful in the midst of aggression and chaos.

I won’t need to compromise my principles. I can protect folks close to me (including myself), my family, my friends, and anyone who stands nearby. And I cannot be provoked, with pushing or screaming, into chaotic scenarios. T’ai Chi Chuan — the system of martial-art training methods including martial pushing hands and death point strike training — lets me live so well.

Read Death Point Striking For Peace »

Virginia Dare StampI dare you. I don’t think you’re willing. Your dependence on crabbiness and moodiness gets you what you want, and acting bitchy and aggressive serves you just right. Maybe. Maybe not.

So I dare you, because it’s difficult to mash mean moods and sever silly sufferings. It’s tough to create compassion, kindness, and kick-ass, cool-heartedness. Our world needs it now. You can do it. You are The One. So take this Dare-Pill and see how far this Post-Hole goes.

I dare you.

Read Six Daring Acts to Lighten Up »

Stratocumulus CloudsRelax. You know how. You do it everyday. You sleep for example. And you, nevertheless, crave more of it! You desire more methods, more skills, more prowess to let go, let up, and let loose.

Relax. Stop pouring effort and emotions and energy and reasons and time and money into machines and lessons and language and schools and therapy and workshops. Stop trying, real hard, to relax.

Relax. No pressure, no need to worry. Relaxing is easy — go deeper with the following five free methods.

Read Five Little Known Ways to Relax »

Hostels are inexpensively priced; they’re run by friendly folks with promising visions. Check out all they offer.

Read Three Salt Lake City Hostels »