"A picture is worth a thousand words."
-Napoleon
Friday, August 25, 2017
The Three Centers Revisited
Decipher;
Succeed in understanding, interpreting, or identifying (something)
-from the Oxford dictionary
In a previous blog (7/18/'17) I gave an introduction to the theory of the "Three Centers." This was to help students understand the practises and strategies of the three main internal martial arts, Hsing-Yi Chuan, Ba-Gua Chang, and Tai-Chi Chuan. I've had 7 teachers of Pa-Kua, 7 teachers of Hsing-Yi, and 6 teachers of Tai-Chi. After 40 years of learning and practicing these three arts, and many others, I'd like to share my ideas of the three centers more fully.
I learned Wu-Dang Sword fencing from Master T.T. Liang and Grandmaster Wai-lun Choi. Liang taught a traditional 6 sets of two-person fencing forms while Choi taught 13 techniques, with two-person drills and sensitivity, for free-style fencing.Both approaches used the circular footwork of Pa-Kua, the whole body power of Hsing-Yi, and the sensitivity of Tai-Chi.
I learned the 12 Animals and Loi Hong Bat Sai of Luk Hop Bat Fat from the lineage holder, Grandmaster Wai-lun Choi. I started the Main Form years ago, and am now back to learning that from Master Choi. I found that Liu Ho Pa Fa had techniques from the three main internal styles, as well as techniques from Shao-Lin and other external styles. It also contains extensive Taoist Internal training methods, meditation,and qi-gong.
Yi-Chuan and Standing Meditation I have learned from 7 teachers, the most detailed and in depth study being with Master Wai-lun Choi.
I am currently cataloguing and organizing my study of the "Choi Method," the master's key to internal martial arts. This method is from Master Choi's 60 years of martial arts study and his experiences as a full-contact fighting champion, and a full time professional teacher. The Choi method simplifies and makes accessible the practises necessary for developing the internal connections and external harmonies in all martial arts, especially the soft, internal styles.
From my practice and teaching, I've updated the old saying which went;
"Hsing-Yi goes through the center, Pa-Kua goes around the center, Tai-Chi maintains the center,"
to;
"Hsing-Yi goes through the center,
Pa-Kua goes around the center,
Tai-Chi maintains the center,
Liu Ho Pa Fa and Wu-Dang Sword combine the centers,
Yi-Chuan refines the centers,
The Choi Method deciphers the centers."
Thursday, July 27, 2017
MMTCA August Newsletter 2017
“Honor the space
between no longer and not yet.”
-Nancy Levin
The heat is waning
and we keep on training! Thank you Sharon and Fred for the loan of
the fans.
Our schedule remain
the same until Sept. 15th, when we will unveil our new
Fall schedule. For August, there will be no Hsing-Yi classes on
August 23rd and 30th.
If you've noticed a
lot of extra activity in our space, that is because a theater troop
is rehearsing for the Fringe. Look for the play “Plan B.”
http://www.fringefestival.org/
Book suggestion-
(back by popular demand) The Joy Of Less by Francine Jay
I have some exciting
changes to the solo form, and am working to make Tai-Chi even more
accessible. I am also working with Master Choi and will be sharing
the “Choi Method” in class as well. Plus, I am am making
preparations for another in-house retreat for the Fall, stay tuned.
As we close in on
the first year anniversary of the Academy, I want to thank you all for your
support, enthusiasm, appreciation, and study. You rock, you just rock
slowly!
-Ray
“Love people and
use things. The opposite doesn't seem to be working.”
-Joshua Fields
Millburn
contact
skrayhayward@gmail.com
https://mindfulmotiontaichi.com/
612-404-7320
My
Blog: The Inspired Teacher (rayhayward.com)
Facebook:
Ray Hayward, Ray Hayward Enterprises, Mindful Motion Tai-Chi Academy
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