Zhan Zhuang Geezer

Quoting from Gradmaster Wang: In case of most patients they are used as supplemental practice. But in case of liver problems, in first stage of therapy as much attention is put to them as to standing postures. • First posture. Put your palms into pockets, only thumbs outside. Legs slightly bent, shoulders comfortably stretched, armpits half open. Body as if leisurely leaning against something behind. Eyes closed, spirit focused. When whole body achieves feeling of relax and comfort, one foot starts lazy movement forward (about one fist distance), as if tried to make movement and at the same time as if wanted to stop. When left foot is moving, head is naturally leaning rightward, so there appears feeling of comfortable oblique stretching. Do it alternatively with left and right foot, as if wading through mud. • Second posture. Backs of palms are resting on both sides in the waist area. Or place both palms naturally stretched to the sides. Other demands are the same as above.

Quoting from Grandmaster Wang: They are usually used in case of very serious illnesses or those who are not able to leave bed. Can also be used as a supplement to standing and sitting postures. • First posture. Lie down on your back. Eyes slightly closed, mouth slightly open, legs naturally straightened and separated (not more than shoulder-width). Or you can bend knees slightly. Heels on the bed. Palms resting on underbelly, elbows on the bed. Armpits half open. Whole body relaxed. • Second posture. Put your arms on both sides of body. Insides of palms directed downward or upward. Elbows on the bed. Armpits half open. Other demands are the same as when practicing first posture. • Third posture. Arms are as if embracing something in front of your chest. Elbows resting on the bed. Knees slightly bent. Other demands are the same as when practicing first posture. • Fourth posture. Arms resting on both sides of body, or raised as if embracing something in front of chest. Legs straigh...

Quoting from Grandmaster Wang: Usually when illness is severe, but patient has some ability of taking effort (eg. in cases of serious arthroplogosis, when using standing postures is not possible temporarily) or in case of patients without limbs. They can also be used as supplement by patients who are mainly using standing postures. • First posture. Sit on edge of a chair, with body straight, eyes closed, mouth slightly open. Feet parallel or making shape of / \. Distance between feet ñ about 4 fists. Whole feet are resting on the ground. Knees bent at about 90 degrees angle. Palms are resting on thighs, fingers pointing obliquely forward, arms curved, armpits half open, whole body relaxed. • Second posture. Pull your both feet back. Heels lifted, feet making shape of / \. Knees bent at about 40-50 degrees angle. Palms are resting on thighs or are placed in front of chest, at distance of about 1 foot. Fingers separated, pointing obliquely forward. Insides of palms directed toward b...

Quoting from Grandmaster Wang: • Tibao shi. Feet are shoulder width apart, making shape of / \ (Chinese character for 8). Weight evenly distributed on both feet. Main point of supporting weight is just behind ball of foot (from translator: can be also interpreted as back part of foot - both variants are used in yiquan). Knees slightly bent. They should not overreach toes (depending on situation of a specific person, they can be bent less, or not bent). Body straight, arms curved, armpits half open. Shoulders very slightly moved back, so chest can be open ñ it is position of light, agile erection. Fingers of both palms are pointing toward each other. Distance between them is about 3 fists. Palms are at level slightly below navel. Insides of palms directed upward. Arms as if embracing a big balloon. Head straight or slightly leaning back. Eyes closed or naturally open (especially at first stage of practice), mouth slightly open. Whole body is relaxed (ìrelaxed but not slackî). On face ...

A week ago today Daniel Lee posted a tai chi course on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/MasterDanielLeeTaiChiQigong/videos. So I watched one titled "What Is Tai Chi? Finally Explained." Since then I have gone through his five-lesson course in tai chi. More precisely the beginner version of an abbreviated form of wu style tai chi. There is also an advanced version of the short form but I have not watched those videos. I have practiced every day since, watching at most one new video per day. Yesterday I completed the sequence. It takes a couple of minutes to go through the form. The end position is the same as the start position so I usually loop through several iterations. The first time I watched a lesson it was awkward to get the movements right. Daniel Lee does an excellent job explaining, with ample repetition, the movements in each lesson. And the movements themselves are not that demanding of agility, strength, or balance. The sequence of the movements,...

This interview was probably in the late 1940's. It covers many schools of martial arts, most of them I never heard of. He admires tai chi but is very critical of how its practice has evolved and derides the skills of most of its practitioners. "The founding master of 'Dachengquan', Wang Xiangzhai, who is famous in the North and South, and praised by the martial arts circles of the whole country, has recently moved to Beijing. For the exchange of knowledge and opinions among the practitioners of different martial arts, he has arranged a meeting time every Sunday afternoon from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm, at Dayangyibin Alley, where he acts as the host, and exchanges opinions with other famous experts of boxing, carrying forward and promoting the martial spirit of our nation as his sincere wish. A reporter interviewed Mr. Wang yesterday, having the following discussion with him....... "....As masters of the original ‘Taijiquan’, I should recommend the Yang brothers Sh...

I think it is because it was developed by martial artists, but it is good for health and fitness as well as combat. I do not see any martial artsy development in my case. Internal development, sure, but subtle, not sure exactly where what and how, and beyond me to describe. The tingling sensations. Heightened sensitivity. A sort of euphoric state sometimes. Energy flowing around, maybe. But nothing that relates to combat.