Faulkner, Gordon

Taiji Qinna
Taijiquan, Great Ultimate Boxing, is very popular throughout the whole world. But despite ist popularity it is still very much a misunderstood art.
The Great Ultimate, of course, relates to Yin and Yang, the great opposites that should always be dynamically balanced. Within Taijiquan itself the Yin is solo practice while the Yang is practising with a partner. By far the most common Taijiquan activity is the solo form. And while this is very beneficial for lots of people, it is only half the story (pedantically it could be argued that it is not true Taijiquan because it only represents the Yin aspect - this is always a great topic for debate).
Normally the solo training consists of the barehand forms and weapon forms while the partner work is primarily pushing hands (tuishou). However, there are a lot more aspects to Taijiquan training that are not as commonly seen. In solo work, there is lower abdomen (dantian) training and explosive power (fajing) training. In partner work, there is pulling hands (dalü), scattering hands (sanshou) and seizing and controlling (qinna).
Earlier it was stated that “within Taijiquan itself the Yin is solo practice while the Yang is practising with a partner.” In the same context, within Taijiquan itself there is ‘form and function.’ Every movement in a Taijiquan form has a function (in reality, several functions). When we perform our solo Taijiquan routines we try to follow the theoretical principles of the form (Yin) but without a partner to work with we have no idea whether the function (Yang) will work.
Without working with a partner we are only guessing that we are performing correctly. Partners provide feedback which informs us of correct/incorrect action. Everyone likes to think that they moving correctly but most people have a great capacity for self delusion.
Theory exists in the hypothetical perfect world (pre-heaven) while practice exists in the real world (post-heaven). In Taijiquan, as in Chinese internal alchemy, we can only reach the pre-heaven state by working with the post-heaven forces. Partner work is the key.
One aspect of partner work, not seen very often, is Qinna, the seizing and controlling part of Taijiquan. Similar in nature to, but distinct from, the Japanese Aikido, Qinna gives direct experience of some of the functions of the movements.
In the seminar we will introduce some of the basic principles of Taiji Qinna centred around the most common movements and then go on to link them all together in a short two-person Taiji Qinna routine.
The emphasis will be on light, relaxed motion where appropriate (Yin part of movements) and their dynamic opposite elastic, expanding motions (Yang part of the movements).
While the subject is serious the seminar will not be sombre. A sense of humour is vital.Anzahl: 1 DVD