A fresh start
We have had a good start to the year with many new students starting at HQ and various branches. Thankfully, we have navigated through the last few months without too many interruptions, unlike last year. We had several regional seminars & gradings as well as Tai Chi Student Camp in Christchurch and Tai Chi seminar in Auckland last weekend. We are now readying for our annual seminars and tournament in two weeks.
Focus in Training
At the regional seminars, we worked on the fundamentals such as: controlling the centre axis, lines, angles & curves; balancing; relaxing & timing every move. The Black Belts worked on the Labyrinth & Circle Forms, wave action and internal energy.
As for Tai Chi, we concentrated on feeling, timing and using Yi. We continued to work on sticking, listening, following and changing.
It is good to see everyone, particularly the Black Belts and Tai Chi instructors, making real breakthroughs.
Sing Ong Tai Chi
The Christchurch Student Camp was huge as usual but it was also zoomed to those who could not attend in the North Island and overseas.
Professor Yek (Tai Shi) taught us more about internal energy training, in introducing the “The Passes and Nine Orifices” and linking them to the Conception, Governor and Penetrating Vessels. He also elaborated on the Ten Characteristics of Tai Chi Chuan and how it combines art, science, philosophy & strategy.
We also had a huge number enjoying a wonderful dinner at the North & South Cuisine Restaurant to celebrate Tai Shi’s 80th birthday. The Yek family is very happy to have so many students celebrate the event with them.
At the Auckland Seminar, Tai Shi explained how slow or fast should we practice Tai Chi Chuan forms. It is fascinating to learn about the real meaning of “Hands become no hands, the whole body is hands.” As usual, Tai Shi demonstrated this amazing skill in pushing hands with the senior instructors.
Annual Seminars & Tournament
Our annual seminars & tournament weekend is the closest thing to our annual camp. It is a special experience to train with people from all over NZ and sometimes overseas. The total energy generated by the participants often creates a fertile environment for learning and enjoyment. It is always great to catch up with old friends and make new ones.
In Tai Chi Chuan, we will work on using Yi in everything we do. We will also work on pushing hands drills. The instructors will work on sword & fixed pushing hands.
At the Kung Fu session we will work on, “How to refine techniques and mental focus.” In the Black Belt seminar, we will work on Nei Jing & the Circle Form.
The tournament is an opportunity to test our discipline, moral values as well as our techniques whether it is in pattern competition or infighting. In our tournaments, honourable conduct and learning from the experience is more important than just winning.
Our rules for fighting are designed to reduce the chance of bad injuries. However, competitors must control their power and techniques to be sure that the possibility of injuries is minimal.
We have made a short video to explain the rules of the fighting competition: https://youtu.be/wTKGDyxf0qo
The programme will be:
Saturday 5th June
9:00am to 11:00am Tai Chi Seminar
11:00am to 12:30pm Tai Chi Instructor Seminar
2:30pm to 4:30pm Kung Fu Seminar
4:30pm to 6:00pm Kung Fu Black Belt Seminar
Sunday 6th June
9:00am Start of Tournament
Entries:
Students: Must apply through your instructors.
Instructors: Please check the weights, height, rank and age of contestants and send in the entries by the due date for draws & schedule to be planned.
New classes & branches
We are starting Tai Chi Chuan classes to join the thriving Kung Fu classes in West Melton just after Queens Birthday weekend, it will be taken by Sonya McCleary Laoshi. Brent Davidson Laoshi is also starting a new Tai Chi Chuan class at Winton where we also have a strong Kung Fu branch. Mr Kirk Maxwell has finally found a good location for the Whangaparoa branch. Mrs Averil Drake is also starting Kung Fu classes up in Westport. I am sure the new classes will be very successful with the very good instructors.
Enjoy your training and we look forward to seeing you Queens Birthday Weekend.
May Qi be with you,
Grandmaster SC Chan