Happy Birthday Master William

A day of celebration because you are full of wonder and enrich my world.

To my very great teacher, you have inspired me beyond what I thought possible.

May each birthday bring you greater happiness, peace and cheer than you brought to me.

Happy Birthday Master
Sifu Ben Noma
Seattle, Washington

Birthday Wish

Happy BIRTHDAY MASTER CHEN!

Notes from The Open Practice session following Grand Master Chen’s Workshop on January 25, 2010

Part One - FORM

Written by: Jim Carey Edited by: Master Young
Photos by: Doug Russell

Topic #1

Double Winding: a term he used several times. This is a newer term that Grandmaster Chen is using, and there were questions about what this meant. Part of this seems to have to do with the release in the hip and foot, but a second part seemed to have something to do with the torso, or possibly in the other hip. Sean also suggested that this may have to do with identifying the winding in the un-weighted leg, and the weighted leg and making these into one movement rather than two.

Topic#2

The Tilt: How is the body tilted and how is this incorporated in each movement? GM Chen noted that the tilt occurs between the photos in the book, but that the body is still straight from head top to tail bone, just not vertical. Master Young noted the character for Grasp Sparrow’s tail incorporates the image of the bow.

The dynamics of the tilt (or no tilt), relates to the point of “no no no no…” the point at which we relax in the hips and release the sides of the body, this is just before the “Bird” takes flight, with the “yes yes yes yes…” coming near the end of the posture (also associated with the breathing in his book). As the movements become more internal, first we encounter the muscular movement, but the concept is not primarily muscular: releasing the hips to the ground (no, no…), engaging the inner thighs through pressing the big toe (yes, yes…). The caution comes in making the tilt “a Thing.” The energy expands after an internal relaxation. Making the tilt “a thing” is external. The body should stay down, while the energy comes up.

The technique is not to “use the inner thigh muscle” although it is related, because it is not muscle force. This relates to the notion of magnets in the thigh-the weighted leg drawing in the non-weighted leg. Energy starts from the toes of the weighted leg, once the foot is turned in both big toes are engaged with the weighted leg dominant.

The image of the Bird just before take off releases the sides of the body and brings pressure to the feet. In this position the internal organs hang a bit more than the normal human state-which is why animals are healthier.

Topic #3

Dominance of pinky side or thumb side of the hand: GM Chen noted that there is a dominance of the 2 fingers toward the pinky side of the hand associated with the release (no no no no), and a dominance of the thumb, index and middle fingers during the final posture (yes yes yes yes).

A question arose about roll back, as it was noted that as GM Chen sat into his left leg, his right palm was turned down and then turned up as he turned the waist left. Master Young noted that GM Chen has a different application for the first portion of roll back than she has, but that the curve apparent in this section relates to the dominance of one side or the other of the hand. Note: In every movement there is a release and spin, and that a long term theme of GM Chen is that all movements are curved, not straight, even “Press.”

Emphasis on the pinky side of the hand becoming dominant relates directly to the bow or tilt. When the pinky side is dominant this helps the hips relax so that the bow/bird may occur. [Corollary question about “leading” with the pinky finger during this part of the movement: We don’t actually lead with the pinky, the emphasis on this idea is to make a point and allow people to muscularly experience a shape that is actually more internal-again don’t make it “a thing.”] Everything GM Chen demonstrated was “big” as he demonstrated, but as he went through form, these changes were imperceptible. The pinky side is supposed to be part of “no …” a relaxation. Splitting the hand in half (Vulcan salutation) results from the anatomical differences in the ulnar and medial nerves. The outside of the hand (pinky finger) relates to the biceps, while the inside (fore finger) relates to the triceps, and that each has an appropriate time for activity.

Image: “Spin the floor” the idea of attempting to spin the floor with the foot is the dynamic application of body integration of the Toe the Crotch and the forefingers.