Tai chi community

I took the 4-day intensive here in Chapel Hill, and I think I've finally recovered enough to write about it! 40-ish hours of taiji in 4 days is a lot.

San shou is apparently not taught very widely. There was a single book published in 1932, which seems to be the main source. It's derived from a Yang family style, an older one, so the applications are somewhat different than they look today.

I've heard the history twice, but I can't manage to recall it perfectly. This article sounds kind of like the one I was taught. (Disclaimer: the site linked is not my school, etc.) ETA: This blog post talks a bit about Hsiung Yang-Ho/Xiong Yang-He (Wade Giles makes my head hurt), who taught my teacher's teacher (he believes.) Master Jou never talked about his teachers, apparently. (Google "hsiung yang ho" has many links.) /ETA

San shou as I was taught is two solo forms that are matched, side A and side B. I learned side B, and I might learn side A eventually. (Probably. Once I have the hang of B.) Matching is very different than solo form, because you have to be aware of another body in your space and adjust to match it. (Also, keep your frame solid so you maintain appropriate spacing.)

For me, the most useful aspects of san shou are three. First, it makes me see where I'm being lazy in my solo form. Drooping arms, shortened stances, no intention. Second, the applications are helpful in seeing why this posture, what that posture is for. It's part of my learning style, so that sort of knowledge is useful for me. Third, it forces me to think about proper weight shifting and movement from the dantien. This ties in to number one, but it's a separate idea from laziness. I've never been a conscious learner; I don't really think about information at a conceptual level. But to do san shou well, I need to think consciously about movements.

If you get a chance, I would recommend taking a san shou class. I can't vouch for other schools' or instructors' programs, but the Magic Tortoise School's is quite good. If you can swing the travel expense and the class fee, it's likely to be worth your effort. (Alternatively, Dr Jay and Kathleen have traveled to other locations to teach, so if you can get enough interest in your area, you can contact them through their website.)

Master Jou Tsung-hwa said that studying tai chi without learning san shou is like buying shoes and taking home only the box. I can see that.

Ninhao, and welcome!

I'd like to start out with introductions. You can make yours in comments or a new post, as you will.

I've been studying taiji at the Magic Tortoise School for a little over 2 years. I studied Chen style with Dr Jay from March 07-09, and I've started taking weapons with LaoMa since mid-March of this year. I'm learning the stick version of the dao broadsword form (because it's safer than using a sharp thing for a beginner ;) ) I participated in the 2-day San Shou workshop in March, and I'm doing the 4-day in May. (Even after being exhausted during the 2-day. It was pretty awesome, though.)

I'm participating in the MT school's advancement program, and I earned the red sash in January. I decided to do it after a year of study, because I wanted a focus or a framework. I'm externally motivated, and I realize it, so I need something outside to give me that motivation.

So, what style or styles do you do? What would you like to see in this community?