Teaching

You can start learning The Fast Form once you have learned the Slow Set.

This form is fast, dynamic and develops suppleness, vivacity and strength.

It works on precision, calmness, speed and also cardio stamina. It also improves our physical condition.

This fast practice is complementary to the SlowSet and vital for muscle and energy work balance in static or dynamic mode.

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The 4 basic arms of Tai Chi Chuan Yang Tung are : the Knife (刀 = Dao), the Sword (劍 = Jian), the Sticks (棍 = Gun), and the Long Pole (2m80).

The Knife, called Dao in Chinese, is a robust rigid bladed weapon with a single cutting edge and a double-curved flared blade. It is used principally to cut and block. To select the length of the blade, stand and hold the knife by the hilt and place it erect by your side. The blade should go up as far as the ear.

It is possible to start learning the Knife once you know how to practise the Slow Set and then the Kwai Quan to develop coordination, rooting, suppleness, endurance, timeliness and a martial sense.
The movements of the Knife form are ample and start from the centre of the body. The Knife is the prolongation of the arm, as with all arms.

The sequencing of the Yang Knife is short and is learned slowly. Once clearly mastered, a very fast form can be practised.

The sequencing of the slow or fast Knife Form, develops more subtlely, endurance, vivacity, precision, suppleness, relaxation, continuity of gesture and strength.

The Slow Set contributes to the Kwai Quan Fast Form which in turn contributes to the Slow Set and both contribute to the practice of the Knife.

Thereafter, the Tung Jia or the Sword allow for progress on the martial way where body and soul are one. All of the practices are complementary.

Pics of the Yang Tung Knife, movment by movment

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3 steps practice with change of direction.

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The Tai Chi Gong were created by Master Tung Kai Ying in homage to his Father, Great Master Tung Hu Ling​

The Tai Chi Gong are a chain of nine movements derived from the slow chain, called the Slow Set, which are practised in a static position with legs bent.
It can also be practised in a erect stance and used as a warm-up or a learning exercise.
This exercise allows beginners to understand that the movement come from the waist, to develop a firm stance, verticality, the feeling of a circle and the circulation of energy, and helps to memorise Tai Chi Chuan.
After practising Tai Chi Gong, you feel more firmly «rooted» in the ground, legs feel stronger, the spine elongated and the back is naturally straight without effort. The body is relaxed, the circulation is stimulated and the rib cage is opened up.

Regular practice greatly strengthens the legs and one can go lower and slower in the Slow Set and so increase the pleasure of the practice

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The position of the Tree, called "Zhan Zhuang" in Chinese, is a training in immobility, a meditation, a health art.
This practice develops « rooting » and stability, coordination in the relaxation of muscles and tendons, patience, concentration and proprioception.
It preserves, maintains and improves vitality.
This standing position is more than just a gymnastic exercise, it is a path of higher level Tai Chi Chuan, internal and external Chinese Martial Arts.

Serene heart and concentrated mind.
When you practise, find an agreeable place in the open-air on flat ground. At first, a few minutes suffice.
Be present but not self-willed, present in what you are doing and not in what you should be doing. The position of the Tree develops, refines the sense of movement, the kinaesthesia, self-perception, called proprioception. This 6th sense is often the poor relation of the other five senses (touch, smell, hearing, taste and sight). This sense informs us about muscular tension, pressure, position, direction, movement of the joints…
 

Check your posture with your awareness and not with your eyes. The weight of the body is equally distributed between the two feet which are well positioned on the ground. All the joints are slightly bent, the chest and the shoulders are relaxed. Keep your hands at the same height even after some minutes of practice. Relax your facial muscles, particularly around the mouth and eyes. The corners of the mouth are slightly upturned and the jaws are not clenched. Practise "smiling inside"
Breathe naturally, air goes in and out freely. Imagine that your head is suspended by a thread on its axis. In parallel, Feel the pull of the Earth by the contact of your feet with the ground in order to find a postural balance for a better gut balance.

This slow practice is the key to relaxation, and the elimination of built-up tensions.

In this way, the body can open up and become supple.

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Description of movements
(the numbers refer to the document above)

By knocking together particular zones of the hands you will stimulate acupuncture points situated, or not, on the meridians in order to improve your health.
1- On the meridian of the large intestine, which begins on the internal line of the index and extends to the 2nd metacarpal.
Stimulated zone, point G14, which relieves sinus, migraine, cold and flu symptoms.
2- On the meridian of the small intestine, which starts at the external part of the little finger
Stimulated zone, point G13, which relieves stiff necks and strengthens bones.
3- On the meridian of the heart, stimulated zone, point C7, on the upper edge of the pisiform bone, knock the bases of the palms together.
This will help alleviate nervous tensions, agitation, insomnia and anxiety.
4/5- Series of 4 points « Baxie » outside of meridians.
These points are situated between each finger and improve circulation in the fingers, toes and relieve numbness.
6/7- On the meridian ‘Master of the Heart’, hit the palm with the fist.
Stimulated zone MC8 reduces tiredness.
8- On the meridian of the Triple Heater.
Stimulated zone, point TR4, allows the functional regulation of internal organs.
This point is in a small hollow under the dorsal bend of the wrist and extends to the space between the 4th and 5th metacarpal.
9- Pull on your ear lobes with your thumbs and index fingers. Massage all of the ear where there are many acupuncture points connected to organs, joints and specific zones of the body.
10- Warm the palms of yours hands by rubbing them together in a circular movement, then gently place your palms over your eyes and roll your eyes from side to side.
This eye exercise helps to improve your vision.

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