Three Nails and the Centerline
I was introduced to the “Three Nails” by Great Grandmaster William C. C. Chen about 30 years ago, and it has become a foundational element in my practice.
An Jin: The “Push of No Push,” Part 2
In Part 1 of “An Jin: The “Push of No Push,” I broke down Jin and what makes it so powerful. I then explained the mysterious An Jin, the “push of no push,” and how it needs both Song and Fang to work. This post gets right down to how to train it.
An Jin: The “Push of No Push,” Part 1
My teacher, Grandmaster William C. C. Chen, would often speak of the “punch of no punch” and the “push of no push.” It was his ironic way of saying that the power of the punch or push didn’t come from crude muscular force. What made it work didn’t translate...“Setting” Joints to Generate Power
I was recently asked to clarify what I mean when I emphasize “setting” the knee to allow the kua to release, or setting the elbow to free up the shoulder joint, or setting the ball of the foot to establish energetic connection with the earth. Setting simply...The Three Pillars, Revised
The Three Pillars is my name for the foundational actions that I have found to be most important to establish the body-mind-spirit integration necessary for the internal martial arts and qigong. These are the shortcuts I have developed over the past forty years to...Song Kua: Clarification
I devoted a chapter to the kua in Taijiquan: Through the Western Gate and it’s time to clarify what is meant by song kua. (pronounced soong) I recently posted the steps to take to get more from your kua and I’d like to sharpen the focus a little here. For...
