Hope to see you there. 

Dave

Chinese astrology is based on a sixty year cycle made up of five elements and twelve animals.  2013 is the year of the Black Water Snake, a calm, cautious, intuitive, introspective and intelligent creature.

 The Black Water Snake arrived February 4^th.  You may honor the snake with a day of positive thoughts and by placing a pine twig out to represent the Snake.  It will certainly be an exciting year for all of us!

Gong Xi Fa Cai (Mandarin)

Gong Hey Fat Choy (Cantonese)

Wishing You a Prosperous New Year!

208-743-3095

208-750-5216

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Standing meditation brings movement to stillness. 

Right after the warm-up exercises and before we practice the form, I always try to incorporate some standing meditation usually in the form of Zhan Zhuang postures.  This quiets the mind while opening the meridians and jump starting the internal energy.  It allows the student to relax and soften the muscles.  After a while, we can feel the energy move as we stand silently still. 

Yang ChenFu Standing Wuji

Standing meditation helps the Tai Chi practitioner experience Wuji

This piece is specific to the Wuji stance.  Throughout the form, we are manifesting different levels and mixtures of yin and yang.  Even at the beginning of the first movement in the form, we create opposites out of nothingness (wuji).  I have found it best to stand in Wuji for a few minutes to ensure complete absence of yin/yang before starting the movement. During this time we can review the basic tai chi principles like opening the joints and sinking the chi.  Eventually we will experience wuji, allowing us to begin the form with the appropriate levels of energy awareness. 

What is standing meditation? 

There are many ways to meditate while standing and many energy cultivating disciplines that utilize standing postures, such as  Zhan Zhuang, Neigong and Wuji.   While the specific stance might be different, most standing exercises emphasize (1) Posture, (2) Softness, and (4) Breathing.

Posture

Different energies flow with different postures, however, the postures needs to be correct.  Emphasis on the correctness of the posture is key to most standing meditations.  Are your knees appropriately bent or straight?  Knees should never be locked.  Is your head top suspended?  Are your elbows creating a nice soft curve?  Is your head resting evenly on your shoulders? Is the tip of your tongue touching lightly the roof of your mouth?  Think about everything you have learned about your posture, leaving nothing out.

Softness

While exerting just enough energy to maintain the correct posture, all the molecules in your body should rest in a deep state of relaxation.  There should be no signs of tension.  Are your shoulders relaxed?  Are your arms, hands and fingers relaxed?  Are your ankles, feet and toes relaxed?  Is your face relaxed?  Do you have a nice soft gaze with your eyes?  Go through your entire body and feel for signs of tension.  When you find it, allow the tension to flow down through the limbs and out of the body.

Breathing

Breathing should be deep into the lower abdomen and should not create movement in the chest and shoulders.   The breath should be quiet, or as quiet as you can make it.  Usually all the breathing is done through the nose, but sometimes the form calls for an exhale through the mouth.  When exhaling through the mouth try to make the breath as smooth and quiet as possible. 

Thoughts

Some standing meditations include a gentle awareness of the central abdomen, Dantien.  Some say only be aware of your posture and comfort level.  Others say to empty the mind of thoughts.  Don’t take this literally, but rather when a thought comes to your mind, allow it to softly slip away.  

Standing meditation compliments and enhances Tai Chi practice

I am convinced that by incorporating standing meditation in your practice, your progress with Tai Chi will accelerate.  And as many of us are aware, there seems to be no limits when it comes to Tai Chi. 

Dave Pankey

One of the great mysteries for me regarding the history of Tai Chi is how “Yang” style evolved from “Chen” style.  The two forms are far from similar, especially when comparing Yang with other styles.  As an example, from the casual observer’s perspective, the Yang, Wu/Hao, Wu and Sun forms all look very similar.  The Chen style stands out.

Chen style is characterized by Silk reeling (chan si jin) alternating fast/slow motion, abdominal circular waves and bursts of power (fa jin). The Yang style can be described as encompassing slow, steady, expansive and soft movements with a consistent tempo.  So how do we make sense of the gap between Chen and Yang?

I have discovered three major schools of thought on this subject and I would like to share them with you here and now.

(1)  The Gradual Change

The first and most popular explanation assumes a gradual change over time with each Yang family descendant contributing until final changes by Yang Chengfu completely remove the fa jin from the form.  

This theory begins with Yang Luchan learning the old frame (Chen) style from Chen Changxing, a 14th generation descendant and 6th generation master of the Chen Family martial arts.  Yang, who studied in the Chen village in the first half of the 19th Century, was the first non-family member to be taught the Chen family arts.

After Yang Luchan altered the sequence of the movements in the form, it became known as the Yang style.  Yang Luchan is associated with the “old” and “small” frames.  The small frame became the basis for the Wu style.

Yang Jianhou, son of Yang Luchan transforms the style into a harmonious blend of hard and soft.  Yang Jianhou is associated with the “middle” or “medium” frame.

Yang Chengfu, son of Yang Jianhou, completes the transformation by eliminating the more difficult, hard and soft transitions and creating a consistent and smooth form, making it easier to teach to the masses.  Yang Chengfu is associated with the “large” frame.

This theory makes sense until you take a close look at the Wu style.   The Wu style can be described as a soft, smooth, small and circular with consistent tempo.  A casual observer would find it difficult to tell the difference between the Wu style and a modern version of the Yang style. 

So the question remains, “if the Yang Style gradually evolved with each Yang descendent, why doesn’t the Wu style hold more resemblance to the Chen style?”

Of course, it is possible that Yang and Wu Styles changed together through the years. Apparently there was close contact between the two families with Wu Jianquan and Yang Chengfu occasionally practicing Push hands together.

(2) It was all Yang Luchan

The second theory emphasizes Yang Luchan’s skills as a martial artist, saying that he alone developed the unique aspects of the Yang style by incorporating all he had compiled over his years of training and perfecting his martial art. 

Yang Lu-Chan was so masterful that he never injured any of the martial artists who challenged him to a fight.  All attacks were met with gentle moves that sent the attacker either flying or bouncing off the ground, but always uninjured. 

It is said that Yang Luchan made the form distinctively his own by removing some high kicks, leaps, foot stomps and other moves and more closely incorporating the thirteen Tai Chi postures.

The question remains “After all the final changes, would the Yang style of Yang Luchan resemble the Yang style of Yang Chengfu, or would the casual observer place it closer to the Chen style?”

 (3) The Jiang Fa Factor

The third theory incorporates a mysterious character into the equation by the name of Jiang Fa (Chiang Fa) who introduces a fresh new style to the Chen Village.

Jiang Fa (Back) with Chen Wangting

 Final Thoughts

Personally, I think each of these theories hold some historical merit and when combined, probably cover seventy percent of the real truth behind the transition from Chen to Yang.

If you have something to add to this topic, please feel free to comment.  Your thoughts are always welcome.

Dave Pankey

This specific form was brought to the United States by Chu Fongchu (Chu’ Fong-Chu) who was a senior student of Yang Chengfu.  It is unclear if Yang Chengfu taught San Shou to his students, however, many of his students ended up with a similar two person fighting form.  We do know that Yang Chenfu’s older brother, Yang Shaohou (Yang Shao-hou) taught San Shou to his students and perhaps that is where Chu Fongchu learned the form.

San Shou is a two person choreographed fighting form.  It can be practiced slow or fast.  Each person knows their opponent’s next move and works towards perfecting neutralizing the move, accepting their opponent’s energy and giving it back in the form of the next move.  Like mixing push hands with a solo form, San Shou incorporates the competitive aspects of push hands throughout an entire tai chi form.  There are 44 moves from each side, A and B, making a total 88 moves.

Tai chi practitioners soon discover that San Shou is much more involved than the solo form.  It is not easy to learn.  The practitioner must search for a deep understanding of the martial intent for each piece of every move and employ the correct energy.  You must be soft and adhere to your opponent, search for their center and listen for their next move.  You can’t fake it. Your opponent knows your every move and will test your ability.  Evenly matched or not, both of you will continue to advance your tai chi skills.

San Shou is unique and wonderful, an intense mind-body workout with martial and meditative aspects.  As a bonus, after your workout you may feel as if you just received a deep massage from the inside out.

The best place to practice San Shou is in the park next to some really old large trees.  The trees will find you interestingly amusing and so will the people walking by.

In this website, go to (About/Quiet Teachings/San Shou) to view a video of the form.  This video illustrates the slow version. 

Dave Pankey

The Chinese Lunar New Year began on January 23, 2012 and is the most important festival in Chinese and Asian cultures, which represents about a quarter of the world’s population. It is celebrated on the new moon of the first month according to the lunar calendar. In Asia, it is a time for family reunions and scrumptious feasts. Many Chinese industries shut down for fifteen days, sending employees home to celebrate with their families. This year, the holidays will run until Monday, February 6. 

Chinese astrology is based on a sixty year cycle made up of five elements and twelve animals.  2012 is the year of the Yang Water Dragon, a beautiful magical mystical and mysterious creature.

The Dragon brings the Four Blessings of the East: wealth, virtue, harmony and longevity. But the Dragon can be unpredictable.  

The water element is said to calm a dragon‘s fire and magnify the luck.  Dragons come in different colors and the Water Dragon is Black. The Black Dragon symbolizes magnificent creativity, calmness and empathy.  Be careful, it is also known for stormy weather. 

Yang Water is like the ocean or surging river water, forceful and impulsive. It represents wisdom, intelligence and progress.  With proper care, the Yang Water Dragon will bring you new exciting opportunities for growth and good fortune.

People from Beijing to Bangkok and from Seoul to Singapore are hoping this Dragon Year will bring them good luck.  Their celebration includes visiting temples, lighting incense, setting off firecrackers and watching elaborate street performances. In New York City’s Chinatown district, people set off 600,000 rounds of firecrackers to celebrate the New Year.

For many, the New Year represents a time for cleansing.  Everything will be cleaned, including the home, the body and the spirit to welcome and make room for what the New Year has to offer. Be nice to everyone you meet and be very clean on February 4th (that’s the day the Dragon emerges!).

So say goodbye to the Yin Metal Rabbit, and welcome to the Yang Water Dragon.  It’s going to be a great year!

Gong Xi Fa Cai (Mandarin)

Gong Hey Fat Choy (Cantonese)

Wishing You a Prosperous New Year!

Dave Pankey

The Quiet Tiger Studio features ample space to practice Tai Chi

I am starting a new class to introduce new students to tai chi.  The class is called “INTRODUCTION TO TAI” and it will last for six weeks, 5:30 to 6:30 on Wednesday evenings.

The studio features spectacular views of the Snake River

Class size is limited to twenty participants.  The Quiet Tiger studio includes a view of the Snake River and provides a relaxing atmosphere for learning this stress reducing and health promoting martial art. The cost is $50 for the six week course.  For more information call Dave Pankey at 208-743-3095 or 208-750-5216.

The tiger represents calm, cool, quiet and content strength.

The Quiet Tiger logo depicts a tiger relaxing in a pool of water.  So what does this mean?  The tiger represents the internal strength you build from practicing tai chi chuan.  The water represents the fluid   movements of tai chi when performed correctly.  The tiger in water represents calm, cool, quiet and content strength.  The Q represents emphasis on “Quiet”, hence the Quiet Tiger.

My Chinese zodiac sign is the water tiger

As a child, I was always drawn to cats and tigers.  I was fascinated by them long before I knew my Chinese zodiac sign was the water tiger.  I suspect this might have something to do with the logo design.