Tim, I now have your dvd set and book for Sun traditional tai chi. I am now seeing what each posture should look like. I have learned what I know of 97 form, from Sun Jianyun double dvd; of course she did a wonderful job on the videos. I have also read and studied the Sun Lutang book on Study of Taijiquan you translated. Now that I am studying your dvds, some questions have popped up about my understanding and hope you can clarify for me. She gives an overview in the beginning and mentions one should not “bob up and down”. I have been practicing all along attempting to maintain the slightly bent knees and you teach to “rise” when the shin is vertical; to open the waist/kwa area. What might the difference be? I am also curious about the difference in the Cloud hands, Cloud hands Lowering. SJY to do Cloud hands 2 ˝ times and then appears to go into san ti posture but the left palm is not really standing but nearly flat like the lowering. Your dvd shows first a sant ti then goes on to “lowering” with both palms flat. Just trying to learn and hopefully not sound improper in asking. Vic in Danville IL

Vic

Glad you enjoyed the book and DVD's.
Cheers
Jake

Jake, If you have some comment on my questions, I would welcome those also.... from what I am gathering you are very much a part of this Sun traditional knowledge and experience. Vic

Hi Vic,

This video might help answer your question.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AuGupAIUds

I have a feeling that certain elements of wushu competition may have found their way into Sun Jianyun's form for politcal reasons.Keeping the head at an exact height makes no sense at all from a martial perspective.

Thanks Tony, Good to hear from you. That is a great utube you provided. I had reservations about even asking Tim but as I said I was seeking clarification while I realize differences are found in various players. Tims dvd set and the book are like getting to attend an academy as he does such a remarkable job of explaining fully each part of a movement and posture testing etc. Just a wonderful dose of training. Vic

Great hypothesis Tony.

HI Victor,

For beginners, it's usually advised to keep the head more or less at the same height, to preempt the problem of losing power by simply squatting down and standing up.

To actually generate power, there must be some compression then release in the joints, especially the hip joint, so all "opening" movements involve the opening of the hips and other joints to generate "whole body power."

The method is described on the DVDs, and it's pretty clear it's much different than simply squatting and standing, or bobbing up and down. The correct method is also very evident in the clip Tony posted of Wang Xikui.

It's also important to remember there is force generated both ways, opening and closing, and that the opening movements usually involve "uprooting" or breaking the opponent's posture and balance (not to be confused with some kind of "fa jing" as some beginners have become confused watching the section where I demonstrate the transference of power to uproot Jake).

Tim, thanks a million for clarification. I figured as much but as green as I am it is great to have your dvd set and explanations but I still needed to hear/see it explained a little different so I could understand. I have tried to learn watching utube of Sun Peng, Sun Shurong and Sun Jian yun and not having description of posture breakdown I was unsure of what to watch for... Thanks again for such an excellent training dvd set. Vic in IL

Tims understanding and subsequent teaching of posture and bio mechanics in relation to receiving and issuing force has no equal I have seen in the martial arts world. A very close second is John Will who is considered by many to be THE coaches coach.