2019 Weekend Topics

Luigi Zanini

1) Xiao Yijinjing – For those who already know this little gem of Qigong, it will be a nice way to refresh it in a flow of 8 palms and 5 special final exercises, with full details. For everyone else an easy to follow progression of simple movements and great fun. Results guaranteed.

2)  Bagua Bodywork – This is a kind of “dim sum” or appetizer workshop in order to discover if they will enjoy the week long course on this subject. Using Bagua torque force and circular motion we will discover how to add power and subtlety to our martial arts.

3) Guang Qi, Nourishing the Qi – Qigong is a delicate practice that works on subjective feelings and objective results. To keep the things simple and practical, the best way is to start from the beginning, setting breath, mind and body to make it happen. Ideal for beginners.

4) Zhan Zhuang – Everybody knows that good roots and body power comes from training muscles, tendons and intention in a synergic way. We will practice some basic postures that can be helpful in any style of Gongfu and discover the value of this body workout.

Tina Faulkner-Elders

1) Spine circle 

2) Hip circle.

3) Shoulder circle

4) 5 Bow structure

Yanira Masich

  1. Integrating Body & Mind—Preparing Your Taiji Practice

Have you ever felt that the first half of your practice session was just about ‘getting into it?’ In this session, Yanira shares tips about how to bring yourself quickly into the ‘Taiji State’ so that your training time is optimized.

  1. Wubuquan

This short, easy-to-learn ‘Five-stances Fist’ is a standard ‘jiben,’ or basic routine, used throughout China to prepare students for various types of martial-arts training, including taijiquan. Yanira makes this short solo form fun and challenging!

Sam Masich

  1. ‘Neutralizing’ Hua Jin

Sam introduces ‘neutralizing energy’ taijiquan in its larger context, both in terms of taijiquan energies and Chinese martial arts as a whole. Learn about this essential aspect of traditional practice through solo and partner practice. 

  1. ‘Issuing’ Fa Jin

What is ‘fajin?’ Often understood as a violent, shuddering action, ‘issuing energy’ is also subtle and multi-dimensional. Sam quickly breaks down this subject, dispelling myths and providing some real take-away practices.

Margret Sturz

1) Sitting in silence and breath (including short explanations about Meditation)

2) Walking-meditation (awareness of the feet – emptiness of the mind)

Sonja Schillo

1) Sha Qigong

Having achieved in-depth knowledge of Chinese medicine and various martial arts Sha Guozheng created a set of health exercises to benefit body and mind, health and martial arts skills.

2) Baguazhang  – basic exercises and principles                                                                               Offering a variety of whirling, unexpected and stretching techniques to improve spiral energy.

3) Tongbeiquan – basic exercises and principles

The explosive and wide reaching techniques open, speed up and strengthen body and mind

4) Xingyiquan – basic exercises and principles

The very clear, simple and straight forward movements enhance concentration and strength bringing body and mind together.

Ben Morris

1) Wudang San Feng Gun form – this is a short and accessible stick form that comes from the Wudang lineage. No prior experience necessary.

2) Wudang San Feng Gun form – this is a practical partner session intended as a follow-up to the form session. No prior experience necessary.

3) Practical self-defence – borrowing from Tai Chi and Xing Yi principles we will be exploring some essential martial drills which can be used to start you off on the martial journey, but quite equally complement existing skill sets.

4) Bagua flow – this class will look at exercises seeking to develop one of the specialised qualities of Bagua Zhang, namely the ability to flow from movement to movement in a seemingly unbroken way. This class will make use of simple palm changes to foster a state of spontaneity essential for advance Bagua practice.

NOTE: Ben can supply around 10 sticks for this but we would encourage others to bring theirs if they have them.

Cunyi Deistler

  1. Praying Mantis Introduction

Is the martial synthesis between internal and external thinkable? If the answer is yes, does it mean that the border, which lies between those two definitions, will eventually be redrawn or might not even exist? Instead of jumping to rash conclusions, a deep look into a paradox among martial arts is recommended. A paradox called ›Tanglangquan‹, the style of the praying mantis. The essence of this style and the motor engine of our body will be explored in this introductory session, while we search for the answer. accessible to all, especially the curious ones 

  1. Praying Mantis Characteristics

Wielding an enormous arsenal of techniques, the style of the praying mantis is incredibly rich in applications and details. Complimentary to the first introductory session, where main principles and structures are being simplified for better understanding, this session will be focusing on the specialised footwork, stances and hand techniques that are typical for Tanglangquan. These basics help us to spot the extrinsic singularities, that shape this fighting style. accessible to all, especially collectors of detail

Javier Arnanz

  1. The Stance in Sensing-hands (jue-shou)

Without a clear understanding of the stance, errors tend to arise in making and maintaining partner connection during jue-shou, or ‘Sensing-hands.’ Javier will clearly define the issues at stake and teach participants how to clean up stance errors that affect both solo and partner practice.

  1. Sensing-hands and Sensing-sword (jue-shou & jue-jian)

Sensing-hands and Sensing-sword skills are each accomplished by ‘connection-operations’ that support ‘sticking and adhering.’ Javier will introduce participants to the similarities and differences between these closely related disciplines.

Wilhelm Mertens

In Grasp The Sparrow´s Tail most Taijiquan players understand this postures, included Peng (Wardoff), lu (Roll Back), ji (Press), an (Push), as techniques. Wilhelm understands them more as different interactive competences, in which each one has its own quality. He will focus on this view in each off the 4 Workshops:

1.Peng (Wardoff) elasticity  

2.lu (Roll Back) following and joining  

3.ji (Press) compression  

4.an (Push) stillness becomes moving.

Pim Van Der Broek

1) 5 element push hands – as taught in the Dutch Teachers Education Program

2) Chin na – the dirty side of tai chi

Roderik Schoorlemmer

From Huang’s 5 relaxing exercises:

1)  Up and Down

2)  Spiral

3)  Pull

4)  Push

Dorian Gregory

Introduction to Traditional Yang-style Push Hands Practice

Yang-style traditional push hands practice begins with the ‘Eight Disc-framed Fixed-step Push Hand’ drills. These are the building blocks of more complicated patterns and form the basis for principled free-play. In this introduction, we’ll look at the basic structure and body mechanics of the drills and focus on practicing the first two drills: Single Hand, Push and Neutralize, and Two Hand, Level Circular Stick-Adhere.