Alan Skirving - Body Mind & Movement

20/09/2025

Well said...

17/09/2025

UNDERSTANDING HOW TO PRACTICE THE THIRTEEN DYNAMICS
From "The Taiji Art" by Song Shuming (1908)

Use mind to move the energy. You must get the energy to sink. It is then able to collect in the bones. Use energy to move your body. You must get the energy to be smooth. Your body can then easily obey your mind.

If you can raise your spirit, then you will be without worry of being slow or weighed down. Thus it is said [in the Thirteen Dynamics Song]: “Your whole body will be aware and your headtop will be pulled up as if suspended.”

Your mind must perform alternations nimbly, and then you will have the delight of being rounded and lively. Thus it is said [also in the Song]: “Pay attention to the alternation of empty and full.”

When issuing power, you must sink and relax, concentrating it in one direction. Your posture must be upright and comfortable, bracing in all directions.

Move energy as though through a winding-path pearl, penetrating even the smallest nook – meaning that the energy is everywhere in the body. Wield power like tempered steel, so strong there is nothing tough enough to stand up against it.

The shape is like a falcon capturing a rabbit. The spirit is like a cat pouncing on a mouse.

In stillness, be like a mountain, and in movement, be like a river.

Store power like drawing a bow. Issue power like loosing an arrow.

Within curving, seek to be straightening. Store and then issue.

Power comes from your spine. Step according to your body’s adjustments.

To gather is to release. Disconnect but stay connected.

In the back and forth [of the arms], there must be folding. In the advance and retreat [of the feet], there must be variation.

Extreme softness begets extreme hardness. Your ability to be lively lies in your ability to breathe.

By nurturing energy with integrity, it will not be corrupted. By storing power in crooked parts, it will be in abundant supply.

The mind makes the command, the energy is its flag, and the waist is its banner.

First strive to open up, then strive to close up, and from there you will be able to attain a refined subtlety.

- Translations of Chinese martial arts manuals: - 1560 《長兵短用說》 戚繼光 “Long Weapon, Short Reach” by Qi Jiguang 《射法》 戚繼光 Archery Principles by Qi Jiguang 《拳經捷要》 戚繼光 The Boxing Classic (Keys to Nimbleness) by Qi Jiguang 1676 《王征南先生傳》...

02/08/2025

Xingyiquan 5 element fists by Hong Yixiang ('the not so little elephant') - just starting to learn some of these...

Master Hong Yixiang (1925-1993), founder of the Tang Shou Tao school, demonstrating Xingyi five elements linked form (Wuxing Lianhuan).According to Mr. Kenne...

06/07/2025

Long Wei De - Wu style Tai Chi teacher who trained in Hong Kong and Malaysia - the main Tai Chi teacher of our teacher Paul Rogers.

Long was a student of Cheng Wing Kong, 'the fragrant harbour master' - a disciple of Wu Jianquan. He was a classmate of Cheng Tin Hung (whose students Ian Cameron and Dan Docherty brought the 'wudang' version of this lineage to the UK).

I've been learning Wu style for a couple of years via Paul Rogers and Paul Britten - the bow stance postures and transitions are still extremely challenging and superficially, very different from the Cheng Man-ch'ing style - however, Wu style is essentially a variation of old Yang style - so there are many overlaps if you are willing to look deeper. Wu style strongly works clear connections through the legs and back - cultivating a strong structure and lines of power from foot to hand.

11/06/2025

Baguazhang Workshop - this Saturday at Partickhill Bowling & Community Club - 11:30am to 1:30pm (£25)

04/06/2025

A short video (26 mins) giving step by step instructions on the 37 Form tai chi sequence (first section).

Cheng Man-ch'ing 37 Tai Chi Form - 1st Section. Step by step instructions: 1. Preparation2. Beginning3. Ward Off Left4. Ward Off Right (Peng)5. Roll Back (Lu...

04/05/2025

I will be starting a Saturday morning park push hands session over the summer from next week - 10:30am to 12:30pm, Glasgow Botanic Gardens - these will be led practice sessions, not an open / free push hands meet up - open to all (donation based eg £10).

07/04/2025

For anyone practising / learning 37 Form, an hour well spent watching Ben Lo

25/03/2025

From a couple of years ago - the first time meeting Paul Rogers - teaching Wu Taijiquan, push hands and form applications - hadn't encountered applications with this level of precision and clarity - they look just like tai chi form, rather than something else.

From a couple of years ago, my first weekend training with Paul in Glasgow.www.internalfightingarts.eu

21/03/2025

Mr Liu was a big influence on some of my teachers, and indirect influence on others (even some who don't realise it). One of my main teachers, Bret Hall, took 3 trips to Taiwan to train with Liu, and his dedication and humility seems to resonate through Bret's practice and teaching.

Liu Xiheng (1915-2009) was the second senior student of Cheng Man-ch'ing in Taiwan (after Ben Lo). Prof. Cheng appointed Mr. Liu in 1964 to be in charge of the Shih Chung TCC Association while he was in NYC. Upon the Professor's death in 1975, Mr. Liu was elected by his classmates, with Mrs. Cheng's approval, to be the President of Prof. Cheng's organization. He remained in that office until 1986 when he retired. Robert W. Smith described Mr Liu as "the epitome of T'ai-chi".

A civil servant and devout buddhist, he discouraged any photography or videos of his Tai Chi form, in deference to those of his teacher, despite his obvious skill and dedication to practice. It's a pleasure to see this short clip, in a world of over saturated social media narcissism.

Copyright Michael Jang Archives - https://www.tumblr.com/jangarchives

24/02/2025

Peng Lu Ji An (掤 捋 擠 按) - The 4 primary 'energies' of Tai Chi Chuan

(At Portencross looking towards Firth of Clyde)

12/02/2025

An exploration of 'single practices' - training the opening movements of 37 Form

Single Form Practice (Dan Lian)37 Forms 1-31. Preparation2. Beginning3. Ward Off Left