Friday, February 28, 2014

Connect Jin (連勁) from The Detailed Interpretation of the Five Elements (五行要義詳解)

連者,貫也。不中斷,不脫離,接續聯綿,無停無止,無息無休,是為連勁。
"To connect means to string together. There is no interruption, there is no separation, one follows and continues, without stopping and without end, restless and ceaseless, this is the connect Jin."

By Wú Gōngzǎo (吳公藻), based on the translation by by Yang Jwing Ming (楊俊敏) presented in the book Tai Chi Secrets of the Wu Style (太極拳吳氏先哲秘要).

Friday, February 21, 2014

Die Tai Chi-Ecke

I have to recognize that my first approach of the Tai Chi-Ecke blog was very light. I opened the first pages of the excellent (but short-lived) Taiji Lilun magazine and notice a very detailed explanation of theoretical aspects of Tai Chi Chuan. One thing that I get wary off is the long list of resources that explain the somewhat intellectual endeavor of Yin-Yang, Qi, Trigrams and leave aside the core topic of the practice itself. My own practice experience, these concepts are important, but they are far too advanced for a beginner to integrate in the practice, and still a long way to make a real impact on my own practice.
However, on a more attentive reading my mistake was evident. The richness of the resources made available by Martin Bödicker becomes evident. First, the knowledge shared is anchored on the rich and recognized tradition of Wu Style Taijiquan (吳家太極拳) from Ma Jiangbao (馬江豹) and Ma Yueliang (馬岳樑). Second, many of the articles do tackle the immediate issues of practice and integration of practice in everyday life. Or they bring a more global historical view of the tradition. In my opinion this is a more contemporary view of the ancient art that I share, a respectful and thoughtful approach that avoid the traps of an uncritical sinophily or a blind new age spiritualism. I find in the pages an important aspect of practice for me: how to integrate these rich traditions in our contemporary context and lifes.
Some of my preferred entries:
In time, my shallow knowledge of German pushed me to find the sister Tai-chi Philosophy blog, where English translations of most of the articles are presented. And Mr. Bödicker is a profilic translator and writer, if I have the opportunity I will review some of the material in future posts.

Friday, February 14, 2014

Pluck Jin (採勁) from The Secret of the Eight Methods (八法秘訣)

採勁

採勁義何解?如權之引衡。
任你力巨細,權後知輕重。
轉移只四兩,千斤亦可平。
若問理何在?幹捍之作用。

吳公藻
"How do we explain Pluck/Cai Jin? It is like using a gauge to test the balance.
The incoming force can be big or small, only after gauging it one can now its intensity.
To shift it one uses only four onces, even if the coming force is a thousand pounds,
One can ask what is the logic? It is the application of leverage."

By Wú Gōngzǎo (吳公藻), based on the translation by Yang Jwing Ming (楊俊敏) presented in the book Tai Chi Secrets of the Wu Style (太極拳吳氏先哲秘要).

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Excerpt from Tactical Dispositions (軍形) in The Art of War (兵法)

昔之善戰者,先為不可勝,以待敵之可勝,不可勝在己,可勝在敵。故善戰者,能為不可勝,不能使敵必可勝。

孫子
"The good fighters of old first put themselves beyond the possibility of defeat, and then waited for an opportunity of defeating the enemy. To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself. Thus the good fighter is able to secure himself against defeat, but cannot make certain of defeating the enemy."

Unless noted otherwise, all quotations of classical texts and accompanying translations come from the Chinese Text Project

Friday, February 7, 2014

The Song of Sì​xiàng (四象歌) by Jiāng Róngqiáo (薑容樵)

四象歌

已成四拳,
隨機應變,
靜如山嶽,
動則崩翻。

薑容樵
"To succeed in the four fists,
One need to adapt to the situation,
Be calm as a mountain,
And use the principle of beng."

From the book Xing Yi Mother Fists (形意母拳), by Jiāng Róngqiáo (薑容樵), based on the translation by Joseph Crandall