The Voice of TCAA
A Newsletter from the Tai Chi for Arthritis Association

For more info about the program, an application form

May 2004 - Issue 4 - click on the title to view the article

CONTENTS

• Editors Letter
• Push Hands—Its Place in Tai Chi Chuan by Nigel Tuck
• Teaching No-Charge Pays Off by Rick Cousins
• Tricks of the Trade
• How to Order Products
• The Benefits of TCA Membership
• How to Get Insurance
• Upcoming Workshops

Editors Letter

It’s not too late to pack your bags and head for Asilomar in Monterey, California. That’s where Dr. Paul Lam in cooperation with the Tai Chi for Arthritis Association (TCAA) will be holding his second annual weeklong USA workshop starting June 20. You’ll find there’s something for everybody. Courses range from beginning to advanced To get more information and to register, go to http://www.taichiproductions.com/workshops/displaygen.php?workshopid=40. Hope to see you there.

As a special attraction in this issue, we’re featuring a story entitled Push Hands—Its Place in Tai Chi Chuan by Sydney resident Nigel Tuck. The article looks at the martial art side of tai chi from a somewhat different viewpoint from that of Paul Lam in his article Tai Chi and Martial Art, published in the latter’s January online newsletter as well as the February edition of this one. http://www.taichiproductions.com/newsletter/indexlist.php

In another article, Rick Cousins gives you food for thought in his article Teaching No-Charge Pays Off.

Last but not least, a surprise! This submitted by Cincinnati’s Ralph Dehner.

You’ll realize as you read this newsletter how much its presence depends on you. We need your questions, articles, and suggestions. Please keep them coming in to me, nkieffer@astound.net.

Nancy Kieffer, editor

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Push Hands—Its Place in Tai Chi Chuan
By Nigel Tuck

Drawn to Tai Chi by its legendary health benefits, many people are unaware that it’s a martial art and are surprised to see students in pairs practicing what, to the uninitiated, may look like a form of wrestling.

What is Push Hands and where does it fit into Tai Chi?

A major problem with the many forms of martial art practiced in China for centuries was that training in them could, and often did, result in serious injury or even death. With the creation of Push Hands by the founder of the Chen style of Tai Chi Chuan, the risk of injury was greatly diminished and a system of training par excellence was born. It enabled the dedicated student to learn, and appreciate, the subtleties of this most sophisticated of the martial arts.

The Forms

The forms are the foundations on which you build your Tai Chi. Unless you devote yourself to perfecting the forms, and to regular practice, you will be building a castle on sand.

Many of the attributes of a martial artist can be gained by practicing the forms. You can thus strengthen your muscles and improve your flexibility, balance, and fitness, as well as improve relaxation and calmness of mind. You will also learn body coordination and the correct postures for attack and defense.

Importantly, you will also develop a solid base (known as your root) and build up your internal strength.

Your teacher will be able to let you know how successful you have been in gaining these attributes. However, there are limits to what even the best and most attentive teacher can do. Only you can judge the calmness of your mind. And how do you evaluate progress in developing your root and building up your internal strength? The answer to the last question is—Push Hands.

Push Hands

One of my teachers described Push Hands as doing the form under stress. Essentially, with hands and/or forearms touching, you try to find a chink in your partner’s defenses and attempt to push and/or pull your partner off balance. At the same time, by yielding to his force you must neutralize your partner’s attempts to push and/or pull you off balance. All the while, you strive to maintain correct posture and a solid stance.

Push Hands thus becomes the perfect laboratory for testing your flexibility, balance, relaxation, calmness of mind, posture and ability to coordinate your body—all the attributes you learned in the forms. By practicing the forms you learn Tai Chi; in Push Hands you apply what you’ve learned. By applying the Tai Chi principles you’ll learn in more depth about, and improve your performance of, the forms and improvement in the forms will improve your Push Hands ability. So, as opposed to the vicious circles we all know about, the forms and Push Hands create a positive circle of learning and advancement in the art.

Without the feedback from Push Hands, improvement in the forms will be finite. The possibility of improvement in Push Hands, however, is infinite. There’s no end to the quest for mastery.

The Desire to Win

Training in Push Hands requires a partner. You should not regard him or her as an opponent but as a friend who has graciously agreed to help you in your practice with the aim of mutual benefit.

However, you will find it difficult to divorce Push Hands from its competitive aspect. When you are pushed you feel you have “lost” a point and when you successfully unbalance your partner you feel you have “won” a point. When you “lose” a point you may feel that you must now “win” one to get revenge.

Then, as you gain experience in Push Hands you discover that the less you try to “win” the more successful you become. In other words, the less your ego intrudes into the practice the better. (If you feel, as I do, that we are much better off if we are in control of our egos, rather than slaves to them, then I can heartily recommend Push Hands as the ideal arena to do battle with your ego.)

Strength vs Skill

The claim has been made that for years the National Push Hands Competition in China was won by weight lifters with no Tai Chi experience.

I am unable to verify the truth of this claim, but the inference is clearly that skill in Push Hands is no match for physical strength. One response to such claims would be to point to the legendary bout in Malaysia between Tai Chi Master Huang Sheng-Shyan and a champion wrestler. The wrestler was 20 years younger and 15kg heavier yet Master Huang won by 26 falls to zero.

Alternative Training Methods

There may be other ways of training in the martial art side of Tai Chi Chuan, but Push Hands has been created expressly for training in those principles that are unique to Tai Chi Chuan. Principles such as not meeting force with force, of relaxing and yielding (overcoming hardness with softness) in order to deflect a force of 1000 lbs with 4 oz. Push Hands also enables us to train our sensitivity so as to detect an opponent’s attack at the moment (or even before) it’s launched.

In order to apply these skills we must overcome our natural instincts. For example, when pushed aggressively our natural instinct is to tense up, not to relax and yield; when our arm is pulled our natural instinct is to resist and pull back to free the arm, not to relax the arm and “give it up.” To overcome our natural instincts and to apply Tai Chi principles without thinking takes long hours of training, and Push Hands, designed specifically for this purpose, is the ideal way to get such training.

Through books and studying the forms we can gain an appreciation of the principle of Yin and Yang on which Tai Chi is based, but only in Push Hands can we gain a true understanding of how the constant interchange between Yin and Yang works in combat.

Then after years of training comes that first magic moment in Push Hands when it all comes together. You detect your partner’s attack before it’s launched, you yield, neutralize and counter and your partner falls with hardly any effort on your part and you know that Tai Chi works.

On Reaching the Highest Levels of the Art

If you’re practicing Tai Chi purely for its health benefits you don’t need to learn Push Hands. There are some purists who would claim that you are not, therefore, practicing Tai Chi. But I‘d respond by saying of course you are. You’re not playing football are you?

Can you reach the highest levels of the art without mastering Push Hands? Unfortunately, the answer must be “No.” But you’ll still be able to enjoy the health benefits and have a lot of fun learning a fascinating art while doing so.

Conclusion

Returning to the title of this article: “Push Hands—Its Place in Tai Chi Chuan,” I’m reminded of the famous quote from Jerome Kern regarding Irving Berlin’s place in American music: “There is no place for Irving Berlin in American Music—Irving Berlin is American music.”

For me, there is no place for Push Hands in Tai Chi Chuan—Push Hands is Tai Chi Chuan.

Push Hands is Tai Chi Chuan every bit as much as the forms are. Together they are the Yin and the Yang of Tai Chi Chuan and as such, for the martial artist, they balance and complement each other.

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TEACHING NO-CHARGE PAYS OFF
By Rick Cousins

Three years ago, I founded A Taste of Tai Chi to reach seniors 55 and
older (generally much, much older) with basic qigung and tai chi in
hopes of improving their health and preventing falls. My no-charge
offering involves a simple six-week course with an abundance of
repetition and explanation. It can also be performed entirely in a
chair for those who can no longer stand or balance.

I realize that many places will allow you to charge so why don’t I? I've chosen not to because 1) my teacher did not charge me; 2) liability; and, 3) paperwork Furthermore, I like to encourage the seniors to do tai chi. I make sure, however, that the places I teach have waviers and insurance.

The tai chi I teach is a modified Yang style with large simple movements (some influence from Hsing Yi in the lineage). The course is built around The Eight
Pieces of Brocade which is probably taught in all the styles. The
version I've adapted came from Korea where it is known as Pal Dun
Gum.

The response from a local hospital, senior center, assisted-living
center, etc. has been very positive as is generally the case when
people discover our art. The elderly seem to be even more open to
learning new things than many of our contemporaries. Also, they are
better able to slow down and not rush through the lessons.

For more information, please email me at
rcousins@houston.rr.com

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TRICKS OF THE TRADE

Try this...

While sitting at your desk make clockwise circles with your right foot. While doing this, draw the number "6" in the air with your right hand. Your foot will change direction.

What do kids know?

Little Thomas was standing looking at his dad, doing some funny slow movements.
"What are you doing, Dad?" he asked.
"Tai chi" the father answered.
"Why?" Thomas asked
"Because it gives me peace inside," the father answered
Thomas stood there thinking, scratching his neck. He looked at his father and asked:
"Why? Have you been eating too many split peas?"

Knud Erik Andersen, Copenhagen, Denmark

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HOW TO ORDER PRODUCTS

Want to order a video, a CD, a T-shirt, or any other of Dr. Paul Lam’s products? You can click here to order online or mail your order to:
†
East Acton Videos, Inc / Tai Chi Productions
P. O. Box 3102
Rancho Cordova, CA 95741-3102
or
Telephone: 973-838-8889
or
Fax: 800-889-2082†
†
An optional phone number is: 973-283-9699, and an optional fax number is 973-283-9698.

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The Benefits of TCAA Membership

As of April 15, 2004, the Tai Chi for Arthritis Association (TCAA) has grown to 92 members. Pretty good for our first year.

Keep in mind the benefits of membership: discounts on videos and CDs; a discount on the workshop fees for Dr. Paul Lam’s USA Tai Chi Workshop in June 2004 at the Asilomar Conference Center in Monterey, California; and perhaps most important of all, access to group insurance coverage. Specially designed for our members, the insurance package is underwritten by the Fitness and Wellness Insurance Agency (see following article).
.
You should be receiving or have received your TCAA membership renewal notices for the 2004-2005 membership year (July 1, 2004 through June 30, 2005). If you’ve changed your address since submitting your last membership dues, please notify Caroline or Doug (see below) so we can update the records. Note that we’ll be taking new and renewal applications at the June workshop in Monterey.

If you’re a prospective member and want to take advantage of member discounts on products and workshops before July 1, 2004, you’ll need to submit your full 2003-2004 dues (current through June 30, 2004). Our member benefits package is based on a full year’s dues ($45) rather than a partial year’s dues.

Please contact Caroline Demoise at <taichi@frontier.net> or Doug Sams at <tcaa.treasurer@earthlink.net>, or by mail to TCAA, PO Box 21982,Lincoln, NE 68542-1982.

Here are the TCAA members as of 4/15:

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How to Get Insurance

The insurance package, strictly for TCAA members, is underwritten by the Fitness and Wellness Insurance Agency, who have been in business for 18 years. It’s the only agency that specializes in insuring fitness instructors. (See Letter to the Editor below.)

The rates are stratified by where you teach tai chi, how often you teach, and whether you own or directly rent your space.

Check it out at www.fitnessandwellness.com. For general information, call the Fitness and Wellness Insurance Agency, 800-395-8075, and ask for Eileen Romosod, Ex. 167. If you wish insurance coverage, ask for Rick Felix, Ex. 153. You can also email him at rfelix@fitnessandwellness.com. Remember, you must be a member of TCAA to get this insurance.

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UPCOMING WORKSHOPS

May 8–9, 2004, Troyce Thome, Tai Chi from the Arthritis Foundation Instructor’s training in Euless (Close to Dallas), Texas, Part I. Cost: $195.00.
Contact: Jan Enders
254-772-9303 ext 12
fax 254-772-5062
jenders@arthritis.org

May 10–11, 2004, Troyce Thome, Tai Chi from the Arthritis Foundation Instructor’s training in Waco, Texas, Part II. Cost: $195.
Contact: Jan Enders
254-772-9303 ext 12
fax 254-772-5062
jenders@arthritis.org

May 14–15, 2004, Troyce Thome, Tai Chi from the Arthritis Foundation Instructor’s training in Lubbock, Texas, Part I. Cost: $195.
Contact: Jan Enders
254-772-9303 ext 12
fax 254-772-5062
jenders@arthritis.org

May 15–16, 2004, Jay Van Schelt, Tai Chi from the Arthritis Foundation Instructor’s training in Columbus, Ohio, Parts I & II. Contact Nick Turkas,
Director of Programs & Services, Arthritis Foundation, Central Ohio Chapter, (614) 876-8200 – phone; (888) 382-4673 - toll-free; (614) 876-8363 - fax
nturkas@arthritis.org
www.arthritis.org

June 21–27, 2004, Dr Paul Lam in collaboration with the Tai Chi for Arthritis Association of America, Weeklong Workshop in Monterey (Asilomar), CA. Choose one of seven different courses of varying difficulty.
www.taichiproductions.com

October 30–31, Troyce Thome is holding a Tai Chi for Diabetes training in San Diego, California. Cost: $195.
Contact: Troyce Thome
tthomer@cox.net

November 6–7, 2004, Nancy Kieffer is holding a Tai Chi for Arthritis Instructor’s training, Parts I and II, in Melbourne, Kentucky. $200 includes morning/afternoon tea and materials. Contact Ralph Dehner, Mighty Vine Wellness Club, Cincinnati, OH, 45219 and mightyvine@juno.com or 513-241-9355 for info.

November 13–14, 2004, Jay Van Schelt is holding a Tai Chi for Arthritis Instructor’s training in Connecticut, Parts I & II. Contact Jay Van Schelt, CEO InnerChi Methods and Systems,
www.InnerChimindbody.com
www.growthmanager.org

Guess who! You’re right. It’s Dr. Paul Lam as drawn by Jill Dehner, daughter of Cincinnati TCA instructor Ralph Dehner. Jill drew this from the picture of Paul on the flyer for the Monterey workshop. Jill has a degree in fine arts form the University of Cincinnati and can do caricatures from photos sent by e-mail or snail mail (for a reasonable fee). For details, see www.mightyvine.com

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