A TAIJIQUAN PATTERN TO COUNTER ALL KICKS
Geoffrey applies "Low Stance Single Whip" to counter a kick from Ho during an Intensive Taijiquan Course in Malaysia
The following discussion is reproduced from the thread A Discussion on Yielding started in the Shaolin Wahnam Discussion Forum on 14th February 2006. The name of a main contributor to this thread is removed as requested by him, and is replaced by “Challenger” or any term appropriate to the occasion. As the discussion is long, it is presented here in parts.
Tapio Raevaara
Shaolin Wahnam Finland
26th March 2006
I'm surprised that analyzing those pictures and possible steps have become such a popular hobby here .
Why not concentrate on the actual techniques?
Quote Originally Posted by Challenger
"Anthony boldly asserted that he could perform this application exactly as shown in the photo sequence against a live opponent in one (1) second or less. This he has not done thus far."
Dear Challenger,
Anthony Sihing never made such an assertion. He only claimed he could perform the same technique.
In fact I'm a little disappointed with your statement. As a grandmaster, I'm sure you're aware of the fact that every single person performs a technique in an individual way. Depending on the situation, there will always be small adjustments to make the technique work in the particular situation.
This can be clearly seen in the video clips Markus Sihing posted. There are differences in our performances, mainly due to the difference in skill and experience, but partly due to the difference in physique.
Quote Originally Posted by Challenger
“Both of his volunteered videos to date show him ending his technique with the right foot forward.”
The defender ends his technique in the Horse-Riding Stance, both in videos and in pictures. I think "forward" is quite an ambiguous concept here, it depends on where the opponent falls.
I honestly think you are over-analyzing the pictures. Personally, I wouldn't care even if the location and performers were different in each picture. The technique itself is pictured well. It may be difficult to understand intellectually from the pictures, but it is extremely easy to understand experientially by actually trying it out. In this way, questions about possible extra steps become quite trivial.
__________________
From the Heart
Mblohm
Shaolin Wahnam USA
27th March 2006
Siheng Marcus,
I believe there is a good example of Sifu using a big movement in the Shaolin Double Tiger Claws video on Sifu Anthony's website. Sifu uses it to release his arm from a two-handed grip. The technique is about 45 seconds into the clip.
Mark
Sifu Marcus Santer
Instructor, Shaolin Wahnam England
28th March 2006
Good morning everyone,
In Wahnam Tai Chi Chuan, there is one technique taught to beginning students which they can use against any kick. Can you work out what it is?
Challenger, it would be lovely if you could share what you would do to use the yielding technique against kicks, would you be kind enough to share it with us? Do you have such a "one pattern for all kicks" technique in the arts that you practice? Again if you can share such information I'm sure everyone here would be very interested.
Okay, got to go, if necessary I'll post a clue as to what "one pattern for all kicks" beginning Wahnam Tai Chi Chuan students are taught.
Kind regards
Marcus
What Taijiquan pattern can be used as a kick and also as a counter against the kick?
Joko
Shaolin Wahnam Indonesia
28th March 2006
Quote
Originally Posted by Marcus
“In Wahnam Tai Chi Chuan, there is one technique taught to beginning students which they can use against any kick. Can you work out what it is?”
Low Stance Single Whip.
And there is another pattern, which can be used as kick, and that very pattern can be used also as its counter. What is it?
Joko
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kai xin... hao yunqi...
Be happy n joyful... and share the joy with others
Tapio Raevaara
Shaolin Wahnam Finland
28th March 2006
Quote
Originally Posted by Joko
“Low Stance Single Whip.”
”And there is another pattern, which can be used as kick, and that very pattern can be used also as its counter. What is it?”
My guess:
White Crane Spreads Wings
.
To the previous question I would have answered 'Green Dragon Shoots Pearl', as it is known in Wahnam Taijiquan. It may be sub-optimal, but I think it could be used against any kick. 'Low Stance Single Whip' didn't come into my mind, for I never learnt it when I practised (non-Wahnam) Taijiquan.
__________________
From the Heart
Hubert uses the swerving movement of the Dragon to yield to Jonny's kick. Both Hubert and Jonny specialize in the Dragon Form.
Jonny Say
Assistant Instructor, Shaolin Wahnam Scotland
28th March 2006
I didn't want to interrupt the flow of the thread at the moment as the concept of yielding against kicks is truly profound, so Ill try to come back to this.
But here are some of my experiences of yielding. A major part of the Dragon style within Shaolin is to utilize swerving body movements against various attacks. Since specializing in Dragon form I have been working hard at this aspect (something that is still becoming natural to me), specifically on the swallowing motion which is a beautiful way of yielding.
I had practiced many swallowing patterns for some time in solo training, and to confirm and deepen my use of these patterns I progressed to training with a partner. I found that with one of my partners, who has excellent fluidity, it was quite easy to utilize these patterns to stay safe.
I then went on to train with another partner whose energy is much more direct and solid and all of a sudden my "wonderful" swallowing motion was getting me a right good clobbering or a powerful tiger claw!
I examined what was going wrong or letting myself down and it was twofold. The first was that my timing and spacing was being neglected and needed yet more work (see my Siheng Innes's excellent thread on Sequence 1 to highlight a way I went back to work this). So first hand I felt how important ones timing is in order to yield effectively - too soon and the attacker will change what they have planned, too late and you get a right good thrashing!
The second element was that I was holding a fixed idea/position and had broken my flow. I had in my mind that I was ready to use this yielding motion in every situation and didn't have the skill yet. This made me realize when one retreats you often have to have a back up plan/ a further yielding method ie in this situation if the swallowing motion is not enough to create correct spacing then you can retreat further by instantly flowing the swallow back into false leg or unicorn in response to your opponent to give yourself the space which is needed.
This comes back to being able to utilize one pattern to counter all kicks (Low Stance Single Whip, Green Dragon Shoots Pearl, etc). In order to do this you must be very skillful through training this pattern in the correct way for a long time. Until one reaches this level you can still use it to counter many kicks, just sometimes you may need to yield further (eg the unicorn step). Just as in life you sometimes need to give and then give again in order for someone to take advice or be bored. But just as in martial yielding the energy must eventually come back, and for me the skill comes in here of knowing when to stop yielding (again correct timing).
Just a few experiences and thoughts to add to discussions.
All the best
__________________
Jonny Say
Shaolin Wahnam Scotland
"A Kung Fu knight was a free, happy Kung Fu Expert, always kind to the old and young and sometimes amorous with unattached and willing damsels. He appreciated poetry and good wine, enjoyed comfortable living whenever he could although he was often penniless because he gave away money to the poor, and was always ready to help the oppressed and suffering."
-- Sigung, The Art of Shaolin Kung Fp
Jonny uses the swerving movement of the Dragon to yield to Hubert's forceful charging attacks
Sifu Marcus Santer
Instructor, Shaolin Wahnam England
28th March 2006
Hello everyone,
An excellent Tai Chi Chuan pattern against any kicks is “Low Stance Single Whip” ;
Kind regards
Marcus
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