CT2507 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

yes, i understand and agree on the original principles of tai-chi.

butter29 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I tried to post a link describing, but it didn't work. Briefly, liu he is 3 internal and 3 external harmonies. Internal are: xin harmonizes w/yi, yi harmonizes w/qi, qi harmonizes w/li. External are: shoulders and knees move as one, knees and elbows, hands and wrists. If a dance is just mimicking a form w/out princinples, is it taiji? Her's is not all bad though, I've seen much worse.

CT2507 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

pls explain the 6 harmonies. i may have heard them once, but its several years ago. but what is so wrong about a pretty tai-chi dance. cant u enjoy that? sounds like u are taking the tai-chi principles a bit to serious. it all depends on the goal as i see it. your goal with the practice may differ from hers, or mine.

butter29 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Fundamentals are the most important part of taiji. The principles make the art. I don't find this to be fundamentally sound and thus, not good taiji. I find it lacking in harmony as pertains to the liu he (6 harmonies) that should be present. This fuels misconception as a pretty example of taiji dance.

CT2507 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

well, just take it for what it is. its elegant and she emanates a lot of harmony and beauty in motion.

butter29 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

It makes me cringe.

CT2507 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

yep, u are right about the fundamentals, and i dont practice it that way myself. also i ofcorse wouldnt advise any newstarter to practice like that. but in her case i think its ok, because its not realy an effort for her. as i said she is never out of breath or shaking on the leg that upholds all her body weight while taking a step. it looks quite firm and relaxed. so i dont feel she is placing that much strain on the knee. also she is young. im sure she will correct it as she gets older :)

Blakewhlr (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

If she doesn't want to cause long term physical damage she would do well to take a step back and correct fundamentals. Don't get me wrong, her form is beautiful, I would just contend that it's just show and not great for health or fighting. She's probably good at lots of wushu performance which can be good exercise, but often damages the body if one doesn't observe fundamentals. The bent in knee restricts force from the ground and damages the meridian.

CT2507 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

u are right about the theoretical part of it. but it all depends what she wants to get out of her tai chi. if she dont care about the martial art part of it, but just wants to practice it for the spirtual and physical benefit, then its ok. from the look of it she was propably a gymnast before, so what may be hard for most of us is easy for her. why shouldnt she do it that way if she can.

butter29 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Either she wasn't taught right or can't do it, but it is universally correct in taiji styles to not let the knee bend inward when stepping. This creates unnecessary strain on the ligaments in the knee. It compromises peng in the lower body. I wrote "structural strength" because it is specific to the proper structure of taiji. It is not easy to do without practicing properly for a while. There are many better examples on youtube for reference.