Vancouver, Canada
March 17-19
Yang-style Taijiquan Eight Pieces of Brocade #3 + Introduction to Taiji Linking Fists!
Yang-shi Taijiquan Baduanjin 楊式太極拳八段錦 • Taiji Lianhuanquanfa 太極连环拳法
Friday evening: Taiji Lianhuanquan
Past generation masters practiced 'linking fist' (lianhuanquan) methods as a preparation for push-hands training. The study and practice of lianhuanquan will help bring your push-hands up to the level of meaningful self defense. The training is dynamic yet safe and will bring your understanding of taijiquan to a whole new level.
Saturday/Sunday: Yang Taiji Baduanjin
Taijiquan is often described as 'meditation in movement' but meditative and energetic aspects of the art often take a back seat to outer form. Learning this type of 'Taiji Neigong/Qigong' will transform your understanding of the art and add depth to your practice.
Fragments of the Yang-style Taijiquan 'Eight Pieces of Brocade' (Baduanjin) have been passed down through various sources but it is not common to find instruction in the entire set. The material was considered by early Yang masters to be an essential part of internal training. While parts of this neigong practice have appeared in print, for example in Chen Yanlin's 1943 book 'Taiji Boxing, Sabre, Sword, Pole, Sparring Compiled', to date there is no full rendering of a Yang 'Eight Pieces of Brocade' in English.
In last year's classes we looked at the the first five parts of the Yang Baduanjin: Section 1 Peng and An, and Section 2 the 21 gesture 'Taijiquan Fundamental Strengthening Body and Mobilizing Qi Method', Section 3, the Waist and Spine, Section 4, The Arms, and Section 5, the Legs. This weekend we will continue with the final three sections: Section 6, 'Standing Post' (Zhan Zhuang), Section 7, 'Issuing' and 'Coiling' (Fajin and Chansijin), and Section 8, 'Trample Stepping' (Caituigong).
Times: Fri. 7-9:30pm Sat/Sun. 10am to 6 pm
Cost: Full weekend $285 (Early bird price $260 payment deadline Feb. 20) Friday night-only $50
Sat/Sun only $260 (Early-bird $245).
Location: First Church of the Nazarene, 998 19th Ave. Vancouver
Contact: Michael Blackburn
(778) 228-3500