18 TAI CHI / CHI KUNG Movements
(Tai Ji Qi Gong Shi Ba Si)
A set of 18 movements which can be done by everybody no matter what age or physical condition. There are three sets of eighteen movements each. The first Set is especially suitable for Beginners.
FAN FORM Tai Chi Cloudy Fan Form has forty-five movements. The elegant and flexible postures were derived from martial applications of kung fu movements, indeed even if it looks very like light dancing movements, all of them have a practical martial meaning which makes this exercises with a Chinese Fan a very interesting and joyful style. A little more demanding as a regular Tai Chi Chuan Hand Form but still suitable for everybody.
(Tai Ji Qi Gong Shi Ba Si)
A set of 18 movements which can be done by everybody no matter what age or physical condition. There are three sets of eighteen movements each. The first Set is especially suitable for Beginners.
FAN FORM Tai Chi Cloudy Fan Form has forty-five movements. The elegant and flexible postures were derived from martial applications of kung fu movements, indeed even if it looks very like light dancing movements, all of them have a practical martial meaning which makes this exercises with a Chinese Fan a very interesting and joyful style. A little more demanding as a regular Tai Chi Chuan Hand Form but still suitable for everybody.
I guess I'm supposed to post here and not on the group list serve. I'm copying my group post here:
ReplyDeleteFirst, I can speak for all of us who took any lesson(s) with sifu Luis
Molera that the classes have been absolutely wonderful. Luis is an
outstanding teacher--patient, clear and able to focus on what is
needed to move us forward. The form itself is crazy cool. It is more
athletic than the tai chi forms we know and, most importantly, we
learn how to hold the fan by manipulating our fingers. The fan is
more complicated than a sword, staff or saber. It not only folds and
unfolds, but as a weapon, it is versatile in a myriad of ways.
Imagine, moving up and down, spinning, jumping, slithering, striking,
standing on one leg, etc., all the while manipulating the fan--
throwing it in the air, flipping it and catching it (hopefully),
opening it forward, backward, closed, etc--crazy cool! To me, the
hand manipulation is the most significant part. My father was a
magician, he was able to make things appear and disappear in thin air
by manipulating objects with his fingers, hiding cards, billiard
balls, coins, etc by using hand and finger joints and muscles that we
never bother to use. The fan is similar and, I agree with Grandmaster
Chen, that the fingers hold the key to the manifestation of qi
energy. The sound of the fan exploding open without any external
movement is a joy to be experienced. You have to use your heart.
This leads me to another aspect of the form which is that it has its
basis in external martial arts. There are postures that we are taught
not to do in tai chi. For instance moving the elbows behind the
torso, or bending the wrist forward, or crossing the feet. By staying
true to both the fan form and tai chi principles deepens one's
understanding of the issuing of internal energy and self defense.
So, I hope we can continue with our group practice after sifu leaves.
I propose that Frank, who learned the whole form, be our leader and we
figure out when we can meet if the studio is available. We also hope
the Luis can return on a regular basis
A.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my thanks to Grandmaster William CC Chen & Priscilla Chen for making possible the workshop & private classes that Sifu Luis Molera has provided for us, both Qigong as well as the Cloudy Fan Form. Personally speaking, my partaking of the private classes with Sifu Molera was so enjoyable; he is an excellent teacher, very patient, and fully explains each of the complicated moves involved in the Fan form. Since my injury I have not been able to expand my push-hands training (for the time being!), but the Fan form has proven to be quite therapeutic for me. Although my moves are clumsy, syncopated and "without Taiji Heart", with time I know I will improve. I do hope that Sifu Molera will be able to return to New York and re-offer the workshop in the near future.
ReplyDeleteAgain, I personally thank Grandmaster Chen, Priscilla and especially Sifu Molera for the opportunity to expand my Taiji knowledge and journey...
Frank
PS: Let's keep the momentum Sifu Luis has instilled in us with the Cloudy Fan & Qigong Workshop!