| dr Qi Jiang Tao |
| Honouring the master of Yielding |
Last Friday I had my second lesson from Ruud (a former student of dr Qi) and we amongst other things trained the ‘Grab sparrow’s tail’ in its application.
Below is a video showing various applications of postures found in both Zheng Manqing and dr Qi’s form.
Enjoy!
During the PREMIER FORUM/COMPETITION EUROPEEN DE TAI CHI CHUAN CHENG MAN CH’ING, (August 2002) there was a discussion on the correct way to do the CMC form. One quote one must read so we all know videos are allright to use for learning the ‘outside’:
“Well the reason that I’m so interested is that when I started doing Taiji 22 years ago, my teacher told me that we were learning CMC style. Now I’m not so sure that what I do can really be called the CMC style.
Benjamin Lo: Who was your teacher?
- Well I worked with someone in the UK who was taught by John Kells and Dr Chi Chiang Tao.
Benjamin Lo: Dr Chi I know, he was a classmate of mine.
- You’re right to say that. I’ll tell you one simple way. If you really want to know that what you’re doing is right then study Professor Cheng’s videos. We’re very lucky to have a visual record of his work that you can refer to. If I say that I learn from you but my posture is different from yours, what do you think? It can’t be right.
Yes, but what you see in the video is only the external shape and form.
You can’t really see what is going on.
Yes you’re right, inside there’s no way to see. For the inside we have to talk about it, not only talk, but you have to practice. Not only practice, but practice long and hard, and this is why only very few people can really do it well.”
Read the entire article: cmcarticles (pdf)
For several years I have trained dr Qi Jiang Tao’s 47 Taijiquan form. All my teachers had a link to, or were students of dr Qi. Although I trust and respect all of them I am now in search of more authentic material.
I am aware there is video material on which one can see dr Qi practising or pushing hands. However these recordings have not been published. All contributions are extremely welcome.
My goal is to expand this site so dr Qi Jiang Tao is honoured for his contribution to the world. So if you can help me… please let me know.
A rare video of dr Qi teaching in Regents Park, London, probably around Easter 1976.