My last monthly e-newsletter for the Twin Cities Tai-Chi Chuan Studio

Last Wee Wu Dang,

Just Ray...

“It's better to be happy than to be right. It's not worth giving up your connection to your well-being in order to justify your position of being right.”

-Stephanie Joy Johnson

It is with deep sadness that I inform you that as of 8/8/'16, I gave my two weeks notice and am resigning as Chief Instructor of Twin Cities Tai-Chi Chuan Studio. My first class in that beautiful space, and teaching full time for a non-profit, was Sept. 14, 1993. My last class will be 8/18/'16, the Disciple's Class, how fitting! A career just a few weeks shy of 23 years! It has been a great experience for me. My learning, practicing, and teaching have grown by leaps and bounds and I've met so many wonderful people on this part of my path. Thank you all!

On 8/3/'16 I withdrew my proposal, which had over two months of scrutiny. I hold no blame or ill will towards the Studio Board. The options and decisions facing them are dismal. They have worked so hard to try to keep the Studio going. They have been slowed down by threats of litigation, fear of lawsuits, false accusations, rumor, gossip, and a lack of time and resources. As time ran out, and rumors increased, the Studio became a hostile working environment for me. If this is all news to you, then I am happy. The atmosphere of students should be one of learning, exploration, and discovery, not of donor fatigue, politics, gossip, and dirty laundry. An atmosphere of tension, hostility, and toxicity has plagued not only the Board, but me as well. Nasty notes, harassment, false accusations, and disrespect have left me sad and exhausted. Like the proverbial “frog in a well,” a vocal few took partial information and claimed to tell others a whole story that will soon prove to be false, incomplete, and mis-guided.

As to all the communications being left for all to read, and those for me personally, they have been left unsigned. With just a little research, I found out who the authors are. Either they are not as subtle as they think, or they wanted me to know who was doing all the writing. Of course, if they really wanted to get credit, and credibility, they would have signed their work! I will not “out” them so that they can stay at the Studio with immunity and anonymity. Let the healing begin!!! I wish Twin Cities Tai-Chi Chuan Studio all the best and hope it prospers and flourishes. My blood, sweat, and tears will be forever in that space and soaked into that gorgeous floor. The Studio will ever be part of my inner landscape forever. Wo Ai Ni!

I will be taking September off from group classes. I will still meet my private students during September. I am able to accommodate 1-3 people at my home, so I can add a few more private students to my schedule. We can also use any of the great parks and open spaces, just like when I moved here in 1984! I am negotiating a new space and will resume group classes in October. If you want me to keep you posted, send me an e-mail or a text and I will send you updates and information. I am also re-issuing my book, Lessons with Master Liang, and shooting DVD s for my future projects. For more info, you can always check in with my blog, which will be my main communication for now.

And so, too many to thank...

For the current Board of Directors, thank you so much for your service in the most difficult of times and situations!

For Kim Hayward, thank you for being my true partner in building this amazing Studio!

For Margo Bock, who has gone so far above and beyond as a Board member, as a student, and a Tai-Chi practitioner, thank you!

For Sally, Sharon, Tom, and all other Poster Ninjas, thank you for your energy and service!

For Joanne Von Blon, for believing in me, supporting my art and teaching, and providing the best Studio ever, (one that Master Liang NEVER failed to compliment) thank you!

For Sifu Mike Cain, for all your insights, support, and help, thank you!

For Master Paul Gallagher, thank you for all your wisdom, guidance, help, and friendship, I love you!

Lastly, thank you Naja, my root, my willow, my power... I can get through this because of you, I love you!

I bow from the waist to all of you,

Ray

At first I take up Tai-Chi as a hobby,

Gradually I become addicted to it,

Finally I can no longer get rid of it.

I must keep on practicing for my whole life-

it is the only way to preserve health.

The more I practice, the more I want to learn

from teachers and books.

The more I learn, the less I feel I know.

The theory and philosophy of Tai-Chi is so

profound and abstruse!

I must continue studying forever and ever...

It is the only way to improve and better myself.

-Master T. T. Liang

skrayhayward@gmail.com

rayhaywardblog@gmail.com

612-404-7320

My Blog: The Inspired Teacher (rayhayward.com)

Facebook: Ray Hayward, Ray Hayward Enterprises

My personal Pushing-Hands experience

When I first learned Tai-Chi from Master T.T. Liang he wouldn't allow me to do pushing hands right away because of my weak lungs due to a childhood of asthma, allergies, and pneumonia. I spent a lot of time learning forms and studying theory until Liang said I was healthy enough to do partner work.

At one demonstration I was asked to assist Master Liang. In the middle of the demonstration Master Liang said to the audience" No one can push my student over. Does anybody want to try"? Immediately a very athletic person jumped out and said they'd like to try to push me over. Master Liang said that my root would be so strong this person could not move me. I would be rooted like an oak tree. This person walked right up to me, and pushed me over with no problem. He pushed again, I was pushed back again. He pushed a third time, and I was pushed as easily as a small baby. Master Liang scowled at me and then stood in my place and said" come on". As hard is that man tried to push, he couldn't move Master Liang. When that man cleverly changed the angle, Master Liang turned his waist to neutralize and the man stumbled.The Master showed softeness overcoming hardness.

 For me it was one of the most shameful times of my life.

I knew a lot about pushing hands in theory, and in conversation, but when the time came to put it to practical use I fell far short.My pushing-hands was a “bounced check.” From that time on, I practiced hard, concentrating on pushing hands and sensitivity in my private classes with Master Liang. I suffered many losses and defeats and was pushed around quite easily, but I learned. 

 

Master Liang always said "small loss-small gain, big loss-big gain". I started to pay attention and began to learn the art of pushing hands. Many times Master Liang would remind me of my defeat, which I know now was to intimidate me, to humble me, and fight against my pride and ego. One day, however, when we were practicing pushing hands he said to me” Remember that man that pushed you so easily” . I said "yes " with a red face. Master Liang said," I don't think he can push you now. You are quite strong, and have learned a lot, but you still have a long way to go."

One of the highlights of my pushing hands experience was at another demonstration, which was attended by most of my senior classmates. Master Liang called for a partner to come out and demonstrate the pushing hands. After two of my seniors demonstrated with him, Master Liang dismissed them quickly, then called out to the audience," Where is Ray? He is my student. I will demonstrate with him". After that time, I was his main demonstration partner.

One time I was practicing pushing hands and I was in a bad position. My partner pushed, and I just turned a little and issued. They easily went flying away, over ten feet. The look of shock on their face told me they were as surprised as I was. My next class I related to Master Liang what had happened, using the word “effortless” to describe my push. Master Liang said’ “I’ve been waiting to hear this from you”.

After teaching pushing hands for over 25 years, three basic lessons stared me in the face. The first one is that men need to learn how to relax, and be soft and sensitive without losing their masculinity. Women need to learn to acknowledge their power, and skill. All need to give up fear and tension.

 

A Brief Histroy of Pushing-Hands, Sticking-Hands, and Two-Person Sensitivity

The goals and problems of all martial arts are the same; how to develop a perfect defense, how to control the other person, and how to get enough power in your offensive technique to stop, or put down, the other person. To understand the various joint-hand practices and the development of sensitivity, we need to look at three basic distances in martial arts.

The first is the long-distance, which means it will take your opponent a jump, or one or two steps, to get close enough to strike you with a kick or long punch. The second distance is the middle distance which means your opponent is already in kicking distance and needs to step to strike you with their hand. At this distance, some grappling, and tripping or sweeping, may occur. The third distance is the close distance where you are close, or in contact with your opponent. Most kicks at this range cannot be executed, but all hand techniques and close techniques such as head-butting, elbows, knees , shoulder strikes, joint-locking, throwing, and many other short techniques are all available. 

 

Master Choi says,”Close distance is more complicated, you can do more techniques. Far distance has simple moves". It is at the close distance that the sensitivity training of sticking hands, or pushing hands, comes into play.

Almost every style has some kind of sticking or joined together practice. There are some martial arts that emphasize this, particularly the internal styles. If we look at the physics theory of weight x speed = power, if my partner can move at me and throw their body weight at me while they execute their technique, they will increase the power of that technique. Just by staying close to them, by sticking to them, we take away their ability to spring at us and gain benefit from their body weight. “Control them, so they can't move and double their power, because weight times speed equals power” Master Choi told us. 

 

Many times in a Western boxing match one of the boxers will clinch, or grab a hold of, the other boxer. This not only ties up their hands, but stops them from utilizing their body weight. Master Choi said," We are the opposite of (Western) boxing. We need to get close and tie them up so they can't punch. When it's 50-50, he can punch, you can punch, it's not so good. It's best to control them. Take out insurance against his punch or kick."

The internal styles can be looked at not only as styles, but as the strategy for fighting the external, long-distance martial arts. External martial arts require strength, speed, and distance to be effective. The principles and practices of joint hands are the counters to these formidable weapons. For instance, by being in contact with opponents, we are feeling where the power is coming from. 

We may deflect, as well as move away, thereby taking the power away by not being there for it to land on. Keeping in contact also takes away some of the opponents speed, because although their speed may fool my eyes, they can't fool my sense of touch and I will feel when their technique is coming. Master T.T. Liang taught, “ In pushing hands, whoever is softest will win”. If you are more relaxed than your partner, you'll be able to sense their intentions. Also, the more relaxed you are, the more energy, you can generate to counterattack.

The chin-na techniques and joint-locking are very effective ways of controlling the opponent. They can only be done at a close distance, which puts you in the opponents punching range. Before you can apply the joint-lock, you must have a good defense. At close distance, the problem of getting power becomes apparent. There is no time or space to “wind up” or “cock” the technique. Whole body power has to be developed, directed by the mind, put into action by the Chi, or nervous system, and executed in an exploding manner from nine joints. This forms the core of the internal style.

In the Shao-lin, or external martial arts, we see many joint hand practices. Northern Praying Mantis has the Jim Lim ( contact-cling) sticking hands whereas the Southern Praying Mantis has the Moi-Sao (grinding hands )sticking hands. The Wing Chun style is famous for its chi sao, which literally means sticking hands. Western boxing has the clinch and Thai kickboxing has the phlam, which is the close-distance fighting during the clinch, and is considered the most advanced technique in that system. 

 

I witnessed a demonstration of a single-hand sensitivity practiced by advanced Goju Ryu Karate practitioners called Kakie. Even the Vikings had a close quarters unarmed fighting method called Glima.In the Wu-Tang ,or internal martial arts, they emphasize the close range, and therefore practice many kinds of sensitivity. 

 

In Tai-Chi, the pushing hands has many aspects, which will be explained in this course. The Pa-Kua style has many methods of sensitivity used in conjunction with circular and evasive footwork. The Hsing-Yi style, although emphasizing intercepting at the close distance, also has its own methods of sensitivity.

Master Wai-Lun Choi told me that the old Hsing-Yi Masters practiced and taught sensitivity. They kept it as a secret, and didn't let their students write about it in their public books, that's why few know about it. He said the great Master Chang Chao-tung was nicknamed" lightning hands" not only because of physical speed, but because of how fast his sensitivity and reactions were.  

The Yi-Chuan style uses the single hand horizontal, and the two hands "flower picking" methods to catalog many practices of sensitivity. In the Liu Ho Pa Fa style, Grandmaster Wai-lun Choi calls the three sensitivity methods "Chase Hands." In the Wu-Tang Sword style, sticking and sensitivity are key parts to the defense and control of the other fencer.