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Sitting & forgetting in the tradition of Laozi. Without cultivation, already complete. Meditation is simply settling into the ease of our nature...
Developing the quality of "drunken" relaxation, moving root, and a commitment to internal quality over external appearance, Chern's Taiji serves as a moving Daoist meditation, the foundation for the rest of our practices.
Taiji sword develops the ability to extend energy softly into a foreign object. The heavy Bagua sword teaches the practicioner to borrow from nature rather than using muscular force in movement.
Uncle Bill says "if you want to understand Bagua, forget the forms and just walk the [figure 8] for two hours a day." Our Bagua is a free movement circular Qigong which only loosely resembles traditional Bagua but maintains key principles such as continual change and holds benefits in both Qi development and martial application.
We practice a free-style push hands focusing directly on developing softness, sensitivity, root, and internal structure. Our approach to push hands is inspired by our training with Master Chern, Arthur Goodridge, reigning world champion Stephe Watson, as well as Systema (see below).
(as shown here by Uncle Bill's senior students Keith Moffet and Chuck Stahmann)
Chi Sau is a method of cooperative soft free fighting. It can take on a variety of flavors, from Bagua, Monkey Boxing, Grappling, etc. This practice bridges the gap between push hands and full-contact sparring.
(as taught by Roger Sadlo using Feldenkrais Method)
Roger is helping us to bring the relaxed qualities of the internal arts to the ground, bridging the gap between Taiji form and grappling. By exploring our body's options we develop a greater ease of movement, particularly in the transition between standing and being down on the ground.
(Russian Martial Art developed in the Russian Special Forces)
Systema is a complete system of self-development and self-defence. Emphasizing relaxation, posture, breath, and movement, Systema is a profound system with broad application. In fact, Systema may have some of the best methods of developing "Taiji" skills in the modern world. We train with NorCal Systema.
(as inspired by Stuart Lauper of Progressive Martial Arts, Denver)
Once in awhile it helps to step onto the mat and really get your butt kicked. These "reality checks" keep us humble and give us valuable feedback about our practice.