Day 3 (7 March 2010) Final day.

So today is the end to the trilogy. Or is it really the beginning of something new. The question is

“How Can You Keep a dew drop from losing?”

All of our destinies made us meet. We all come from different backgrounds and we are together in the Radisson Temple Bay resort learning from the Masters. The swimming pool waters are calm today, and by this time you would know that I am talking about myself when I say that. In two hours the Sunrise TaiChi will start with Master James.

Master James makes a Rooster call in the Golden Cock Stance. It was funny but I was not laughing. I was amazed at the solidity of his stance; he was put like a statue. Today’s Sunrise TaiChi had an musical accompaniment. Dr. Himanshu Vaz had this very beginning of the day relaxed music and it was quite apt with all the graceful moves we have with Tai Chi. What I am talking about is the external significance. Anybody who would witness the event would have been mesmerized. Internally I cared only about not falling and not screwing up my forms. Keeping up with Master James is by far not easy at all. He is so much in control and his movements are so solid and so very well defined. I was sweating profusely at the end of it. Good thing was that I was at the corner and I enjoyed all the space around me without the dreadful dread of bumping into another.

You could see Master James sweating so much so he almost had a puddle to drown in. We had an impromptu QA at the end of the Sunrise Tai Chi, I think there were some interesting questions but it flew over the stratosphere not an altitude where my brain flies. But this was all that I could gather from those moments. Chinese associate an animal out of the twelve they have to every hour of the day. When GrandMaster Fu and Master James practice it is the hour of the Rat which is 11-12 pm. At that hour there is a lot of energy scurrying all around that begins with the ending of a slumbering pig, 10-11 pm, which Master James says his wife calls him one. Goes to show what all wives think about their beloved husbands regardless of who they are even if one has Mastered Taijiquan. If you are shocked let me assure you it is Master James in his hilarious elements. For those who have the apprehension of being branded as part of the loony tunes practicing at that hour you settle for a practice when the sun rises, at the hour of the rabbit the furry distant cousin of the rat, and more in tune with Indian sensibilities of exercise. Dr. Vaz had a question and it was all medical with brain circuits and all that Master James couldn’t understand. I thought there was something interesting to understand. I did not understand no point talking about it. But I liked being in his presence and so did all of us who were there. We just liked it- all that leg pulling of Master James. This I understand.

Push Hands

The rolling hands practice on day 3 really clarified the push hands like never before- Having the privilege to do push hands with the GrandMaster Fu on day 2 and now the cherry on the cake push-hands with Master James. Its lot of hard work and one needs to have a very strong and flexible lower body. I do not yet know how to fathom what I have learnt in these days but the experience has only made me lot more curious and serious about Tai Chi. But one thing a veil has been lifted in these 3 days at the retreat, Tai Chi is a Martial Art and beyond those meridians and esoteric gibberish, beyond those abstractions and images. There is a lot of hard work and toil ahead mastering this body and these senses to really know what Tai Chi is.

85 forms

“launch away”->”Sit back”->”lei”->”Chi”->”Again” I lost count of how many times GrandMaster Fu ordered and we obeyed. Again and again and again… It goes to show what it takes to be perfect, practice and practice and practice and …This we did but the journey is far from over as it would become apparent on the lunch table.

FaJIng

We practiced FaJing and Master James had an interesting story to share. Sometime in the early 90’s the Chinese Media had come to GrandMaster Fu’s house. GrandMaster Fu demonstrated push hands with his then nineteen year old son Master James. GrandMaster got a little to excited that he threw Master James to wall like a piece of meat. Master James whispered to GrandMaster Fu that “I can’t go on anymore” but GrandMaster just went ahead with even more push hands and even more plops on the wall. Later that night Master James coughed blood and an internal bleeding and luckily their family prepare traditional Chinese medicine and in this case Shanchi powder was administered to Master James. This helped but it took Master James 3 months to recover. Mrs. Fu, Master James’ mother was all furious “How could you do this to your own son”. Later on Master James took his complaint to GrandMaster Fu to which GrandMaster Fu said only this much “You know Kung Fu?”

Kalari

There was a Kalari demonstration and I wouldn’t believe Asan of 72 year old could be so quick, flexible and so fierce. His students would almost wet in their pants when sparring with him. It was amazing. Then there was cultural exchange of Master James demonstrating Saber. All this was so amazing that in the words of the Dragon Warrior Po the Panda we were blinded by the overexposure to pure awesomeness.

Lunch Time

I admit I am a pest. I wanted to go where GrandMaster went, I wanted to sit with him and lunch and dine regardless of whether he called Mala as MOLA HA HA HA. Well I don’t mind having a Cantonese equivalent of my name. Thanks to the non-pests in the Bangalore contingent I too became a non-pest. However I was dying to be one. I invited Master James to lunch at our table and the non-pests were thanking me though wouldn’t care to admit it then or later. He regaled us with the stories of his experiences, his student winning an Olympic medal in 2008 (Wushu-Taijiquan), about his tryst in the media, teaching experiences. Needless to say his food was getting cold. He is one fun loving person and would crack anybody anytime with jokes and anecdotes, he had us in splits. The best part was what came out of the conversation on massaging GrandMaster Fu’s back. He said that his and Sifu’s fingers would hurt so strong was GrandMaster’s Fu’s back. He looked at me and said “You touch his back (pointing to DS’ back) and go touch GrandMaster Fu’ back”. For a moment I thought is that actually happening. I went to GrandMaster Fu with a fear of not offending him lest I would be a piece of meat on the wall. I took his permission and touched his back. Compared to the soft and cushy back of DS’ GrandMaster Fu’s back was as hard as a piece of Granite; I am not under any influence of alcohol or psychotropic drugs when I say that. He laughed his signature hearty laugh “HA HA HA” and then goes “TOUCH TOUCH” pointing to his forearm, it was three times my forearm and as hard as a ROCK. Then he again went again “HA HA HA” as if pointing me and saying “See Kid I am the Master, you are a Kid and continue to be one so HA HA HA”. But whatever happened was a dream and I even started laughing like him “HA HA HA”.

Photo OP

The photo Op. In the official group photograph you could see me seated 3 seats to the right of Simu. Where Master James goes humor follows. He swapped his wife for Simu and Simu boy she blushed the entire crowd was all in splits. Master James goes “that is a good exchange”. Simu would kill me next time she comes to Bangalore I am sure for bringing this up. After saying CHEESE we head back to complete the 85 forms correction.

Sword and Saber

We were just about to start the weapons and Master James noticed me carrying wooden sword and saber. He talked about the jin not travelling the length of the wooden sword and getting reflected from the handle itself. He demonstrated the Jin travelling the sword and rattling the tip. He asked me to do the same I did and the tip wouldn’t rattle. He goes “See, the sword doesn’t listen to you. Do it harder”. I redeemed by pride by going at it harder and rattling the tip. Then he demonstrated that he could rattle the tip without thrusting the sword. He would just hold the sword and the jin would emit out of his hands and rattle the tip. This was out of the ordinary and I was amazed. I go to KK and share my sorrow- “The sword doesn’t listen to me, my wife doesn’t listen to me” to which KK replied “and in my case my kids don’t listen to me”. I vowed then that one day I will have a real sword.

We had so little time for sword, so much got crammed into that time that my head was reeling. Master James himself felt that. Nonetheless that is the best we could do at that time. We went into saber and finished a routine. GrandMaster Fu suddenly out of the blue called everybody to grab any stick, hilt sword whatever and made them practice the saber. He just put everybody in a spot and we all did the first few forms. Again and again and again and…

Souvenier, Certificates and the closing

It dawned on us like all good things come to an end so would this retreat and all the happy memories from these three days would be revisited again and again and again …

My article “Discovering One’s Self”, of course edited to suit the fine discerning taste of the audience made it into the souvenir. I was shocked; the editors must have had a nightmare with that piece. The souvenir was too good. It looked like a top class coffee table book. The graphics were amazing and so were the articles and hats off to the Chennai Team to have brought it out so well and being such a gracious host to the proceedings that transpired. We got the certificates and the souvenir and were beat.

Dinner

This would be the last dinner under the star lit sky. A Bharatanatyam performance by kids with our Masters enjoying it thoroughly, explanation of who or what a Bengali is by DS- “Orey Baba Akashe Koto Tara” (translate: Oh My God The Sky has so many Stars), plans for the next day to head home or to check out the nearby lonely planet must see, and many such conversations dotted the night. I felt a bit light inside and the sea is just a distance away. So many good experiences- Master James’ jokes, GrandMaster Fu’s HA HA HA and the bonding in the Bangalore group. I just wanted to stop time and stay with the feeling of being in presence of the masters needless to say an infantile idea finding its root in my head. The time moves on what it will make me I know not. I know this much that I am very curious right that very moment something that will carry me more and more into the depths of the Yang Style Taijiquan ever getting into the depths until I get to realize the answer to question that began the Day 3 journey.

“How Can You keep a dew drop from losing?”

By throwing it into the Sea.

The Bangalore crowd ended the night doing a group meditation facing
the Bay of Bengal.

A Retreat with a Difference – Sachidev, Chennai

The Tai Chi 2010 Retreat conducted by our Academy was one of its kind. As quoted by none other than our dear Grandmaster Fu and Master James.

Two China trips gave our Sifu an idea of what must be and what must not be done in a retreat of this sort and he carefully choreographed the events in the best location possible in India.

March was the month in which we experience tolerable weather in a typical and otherwise hot and humid Chennai. At least the 3 days, was literally a breeze.

Now coming to the event itself, over 80 participants – pan India – landed in the most pristine surroundings- Radisson Temple Bay Resort. Saiffuddin steered the logistics team to ensure everyone was received and transported without a hitch. A brisk reception team headed by Simu handled all of us (literally like a bunch of excited children!) and soon we settled down to serious business.

When we assembled in the Hall of Practice (!) we saw what our own Mala and TG Srinivasan did for the interiors! Visuals were bold, impactful and surely most appropriate. Grandmaster, Master James and Sifu walked into the hall amidst a huge applause, led by our own senior Instructor Rose. Claps and Clips (music) filled the hall.

The stage itself was a grand sight. Grand Master, Sifu and Master James, an inspiring combo – should I say! All of us just slipped into the routines which came one after another. The refrain right through the sessions by Grand Master was – Chi !, Stop! Again!.  If I recall this, my bones still ache!

However, all the stress and strain of training was given a break by the ever agile, energetic and entertaining young master James. Like in a typical classroom all of us enjoyed it.

What was the takeaway from the 3 days of toil !!!

1. All those who thought it was all fun were in for serious disappointment. Grandmaster said Tai Chi is all practice, practice and practice.
2. We learnt why Authentic Yang Style Tai Chi is recognized as superior to the Chen Style. Master James gave a detailed talk.
3. We learnt Tai Chi emphasizes ‘substance’ over ‘style’. We should not get carried away by form alone.
4. Warm up sessions ended up as ‘heated up’ sessions. We learnt that without warm up, there is little benefit from practice.
5. We learnt how the ‘chi’ moved to different points in our limb as we practiced forms and hence the importance of the position of the hand or leg.
6. Master James described Tai Chi practice as full circle with 4 quadrants. The first quadrant is to the learn the forms. The second to practice the weapons, which become extensions of our hands. The third part, push hands is the concept of ‘listening through our touch’.This was indeed a dance! The last is the concept of the power packed ‘ fa jing’ (one inch power or exploding power delivered in the last one inch of the stretch of our limb)
7. Master James, given his youth and vigour touched upon applications of the various forms – it was astounding to say the least. All young turks were quite kicked about it. Oldies like me were trying to avoid getting kicked!
8. We learnt that our feet hold the ‘kung fu’ or ‘power’. We need to be sensitive to transfer of weight between the two feet for perfect movement and coordination. Master James’s demos were testimony to this.
9. The use of feet either when the toe is pressed or heel is pressed marked the intentions of our next move. This learning was so logical and ‘punching’.
10. All our conceptions and mis conceptions about Tai chi were fully clarified to inform us that in Tai chi – the head, heart and health are totally integrated.

The acknowledgement ceremony, award of certificates and thanks giving was touching. It also brought home the fact that we have to return to our mundane and routine lives, hereafter.

But, not to lose heart, we are now at least assured of the authenticity of our learning, the true and sacrificial spirit with which our dear Sifu is conducting the Academy and the guarantee of good health and spiritual benefits for all of us.

God Bless the Academy led by our Sifu.

I am eagerly looking forward to the next retreat.

Day 2 (6 March 2010)

Sunrise Tai Chi

Mornings and at 4 AM. 4 AM? You ask what on Earth was I doing at 4 in the morning with S and S deep in their slumbers. I brought my @$%^& !& work to the retreat. In 2 hours the sunrise TaiChi was to commence. And I was in the balcony facing the pool I was looking at the ripples on the water which I think was the state of my mind right at that time. How reflecting!!

At 5:30 I am out on a waking spree, waking S and S, DS, S, G.

DS: “Why? Why? Why Mr Guha? Why? Why do you persist?

KG: “Because I choose to” …<with Matrix soundtrack in the background>…

DS: Shut Up…I dreamt electrons last night because of you.

I had done my damage the next mission-finding the lawn on the beach.

Story Time

It was just past the Sunrise TaiChi, I see this small group looking at me and N practicing sword and the saber, more at N than me. Oh I had to make an impression right so there was quite a load to keep up with the forms. Well the group was impressed (they are only too kind) and thus began some interesting exchange of stories. The group had SFDN, SK, and others.

-Story 1: What is Zen?

Once upon a time, there had been a Zen practitioner though he had a business of his own and quite successful at that Zen for him was really a fad. But the more he got into it more bewildered he became. Then one day he could take it no more. He approached his master and harassed him “For Heaven’s sake what is Zen?” No matter what the master said couldn’t pacify the student. Finally the master said “If you want to know Zen then meet my master. He would be walking by the road on the mountain reaching the shrine. Meet him and he will tell you what Zen is. The student reached the appointed place and waited for the master’s arrival. Nobody arrived except a laborer with a heavy sack on his back. He waited for many days and he enquired people passing by, except the laborer, but everybody was negative to his query. Finally one day he asked the laborer whether he knew his master and he nodded yes. Then finally the student asked the master “It is bothering me for quite some time but what is Zen?” To this the laborer dropped his sack and was all relaxed with a serene face. The student was bewildered he asked him “What does it mean?” to which the laborer immediately picked up the sack and placed it on his back and walked away…

Some in the crowd got it and went Ahhhhh…and some went “What does it mean?” still carrying the burden

-Story 2: The Beggar

SK is a Rotary Club member and was distributing food and met a beggar once in his social missions. He gave him some sambar rice and other accompaniments to which the Beggar replied with a smile “What is this lunch?” and SK acknowledged him in the positive. The beggar had small morsel and gave it back to SK and said keep this in your pooja room. SK was moved, this is very odd, and nonetheless he took it his home and kept in the pooja room. A day passed the food was not spoiled and still the same, 2 days and 3 days passed and it was still the same it just wouldn’t go bad. Finally SK himself had a morsel and left the mystery alone.

-Story 3: The Wretched Lady from Assam

There was once a man quite accomplished in his life but as is life goes he had cancer. The doctor did not give him much hope and obviously of no help. His spiritual guru asked him to go to Kanyakumari and meet this tobacco chewing Assamese lady. She was with the dogs and living the very basic life. He religiously meets her and before he could introduce himself properly she asked how his guru was doing. After the small talk she gave her spit to him and asked to chew it and have dip in the sea and go home- “All problems will go away”. He does precisely that and he is fully recovered.

With that very warm exchange of stories we left to our rooms feeling something quite different.

With a quick bath we hit the breakfast halls and feasting on the sumptuous.

-Story 4: The Beautiful Sword

The most beautiful of sword is always sheathed.

28 forms and the pressure points and push hands with the GrandMaster

The description of the pressure points at either ends of the wrist is what we dealt in the 28 forms corrections. This aspect of pressure points was very illuminating at least for the seniors. I hope everybody is seriously incorporating the conscious awareness of the pressure points in their practice. And next was the Tin-Jin and my partner for the day SS. The Tin-Jin in Day-2 was a lot clearer than the usual single hand push hands and the sticky hands. I will admit I wanted bask in the masters presence and I was looking for every opportunity to interact though not risking being a pest. I pressed SS to practice as GrandMaster was just around making his rounds and then the moment I was waiting. Push hands with the GrandMaster, WOW it was surreal at his age to have the sensitivity shamed mine. That was a high point. I am not going to wash my hands that were privileged to be corrected by the Master himself. DS and I and I hope we are not alone we wondered why there should be any break. We just couldn’t have enough of it.

QA

The QA started with my query on single whip and Master James at his elements. He explained about the tail bone tucking in during the turning on the heel for single whip and his antics in explaining was hilarious- “You need to come to the bathroom to understand”. The high point of the QA was NL’s question on step up parry and punch. NL a big burly guy is stopped in his tracks by solid stance of Master James, Oh awesome stuff. NL was made to understand the meaning of his own name- stillness. The significance of why 85 forms is right side dominant (because liver being on the right side) and the other questions were placeholders compared to what was to follow- the history behind simplified Yang being the stuff of chicken fight rather than any real martial art. Oh this is serious Tai Chi at its very best.

Camaraderie of Bangalore

This was a great opportunity of serious bonding of the Bangalore contingent. Bangaloreans are a busy lot and the 3-4 hr of Tai Chi leaves very little time of any meaningful socializing. I discovered a lot of interesting things to learn about each of them. Ladies and Gentleman presenting to you the Bangalore contingent

Ramesh: I love to get on his nerves he is one serious Tai Chi and Buddhism freak. Imagine to check out the lawn of the Sunrise Tai Chi one must actually check it out by practicing 85 forms at 7 PM after the day’s toll on the body. Imagine that he is the person. Imagine, wouldn’t you love to get on his nerves. Every word or gesture of the GrandMaster Fu’s or Master James is as if the Buddha’s sermon at Bodh-Gaya. Mind you tread with caution with this guy, as far as internal martial art is concerned he is an expert of Xingyi and Bagua and always getting in contests with Harold is a testimony enough.

Krishna Kumar: KK, we call him. This guy has a hearty laugh and this makes pulling Ramesh’s leg even more enjoyable when you have a discerning audience such as KK. A Taekwondo expert you have one serious martial arts practitioner in him. He loves pulling Ramesh’s leg and you would understand when I say – “Jab mil baithe Teen Yaar, KK, main aur Ramesh Sir”.

Anand: I discovered a great friendship in him only at the Retreat. I had a brief and forgettable introduction at Bangalore. This man is an ace Tennis player and an ex-Karateka and has a big zest for life. You sit with him and if your wavelength matches the resonance is going to shatter any ear drum.

Devraj Sanyal- He is my philosophical adversary as is apparent, quintessential Agent Smith to this Neo, Tai Chi researcher who is not going to stop at nothing. He is going to go beyond the 4 quadrants of Tai Chi.  A hearty Bengali whose is a vegetarian by choice?!!??!!!!! He hails from a family of freedom fighters who are accomplished in traditional stick fighting. Software engineer and loves his work. A astute student of Ramesh needless to say where the antagonism for me comes from.

Sirish- He is an introspective, much wiser for his age, sensitive, philosopher, jazz, blues, rock keyboardist and guess what 19 years of age. He is silent but listens and actually can stand me as a person. I can’t pull this fellow’s leg at all. I can’t believe it. He is one grand old man in a late teen’s body that is as far as I can get to pulling his leg.

Meera- A contemporary dancer, yoga enthusiast and in the hunt for spiritual bliss are all Meeras in the world like the Original or rather Authentic Meera Bai. Needless to say her Tai Chi is in her list of spiritual exploration. Exudes youthful exuberance and would you believe, she is a Mother of an 8 eight year old.

Venky – He is into Tai Chi for spirituality and philosophy. A person who is very clear about life in general. He picked up his 85 in a jiffy. If he hangs around there is lot in Tai Chi for him.

Murali- A top exec in a top company. He got 11 adverts for the retreat. A down to earth person, Tai Chi, Yoga enthusiast and has a zest for life.

Neelima- A very warm, kind and a mother-figure of our Bangalore contingent. Konkani studied in Shantiniketan has chaste Bengali tongue and a great baker. A perfectionist in 85 and her favorite the weapons. So choose you weapons carefully.

Priya and Rohit- They celebrated there anniversary in the Retreat Rohit is a hardcore Yoga and a Tai Chi enthusiast. Fearless and is sensitive about many issues that are plaguing our lifestyle – GM foods, stress in work and many others. As I am writing this please welcome Priya into our Tai Chi family no doubt the Retreat played a major part in convincing Priya to take up Tai Chi.

Shreeguru- One of the very senior students of our academy. Into lot of Yoga and as Neelima and I discovered into cooking with practically no oil and no salt???!!!!???

No oil and no salt??!!??

SaravanaKumar – S for short. Ex-Karateka and was pretty much busy with the sessions and his family, father of a cute girl with Happy Feet. Despite all that a serious Tai Chi practitioner and my push hands partner.

No oil and no salt??!!??

Santosh- Not much about him a silent and up to himself was a Chennai student and a Harold Rose protégé.

Sifu and Simu- They belong to Bangalore. Not much to say you all know them. The first couple of the academy and the reason why we are together.

No oil and no salt??!!??

Wanna Wanna Wanna WANNA

The dinner had a rock band singing my favorites “Cocaine”, “Smoke on water” and “We don’t need no education” and were murdering them, but somehow their innocence, youth and exuberance made it sound NICE. But they were good in their originals and a particular crowd favorite “Wanna” the Bangalore crowd obviously the most discerning rock audience enjoyed and even shook to some atrocious, pathetic leg, hand and hip movements, I wouldn’t call it dancing, I would call it… never mind that wouldn’t sound politically correct. But it was fun, really fun, really really fun stuff. Mind you the Chennai lot was equally culpable of dancers and was party to the crime.

Read Also
Tai chi Retreat 2010 Diary Part 1 of 3

During our childhood days many of us would have loved to do different activities connected with sports and health like boxing, soccer, lawn tennis, track and field events like sprints, long jump, pole vault etc…. but for some reason or the other things did not work out the way we would have liked. After crossing a certain age one feels it is too late to do these things. One such activity is Martial Arts.

Learning Martial Arts when one is a teenager and when you cross 40, 50 or maybe 60 yrs is not the same, it makes a lot of difference. You can still learn but how effective is it going to be or what will the end result be. Most of the people say “only if I had the time” or “only if I had the support” etc. The general feeling is that they have lost the opportunity to learn or practice Martial Arts, like one has missed the bus.

Tai chi is one Martial Art which will help you to catch the bus again, the bus which you thought you missed. Yes the soft form of Tai chi which is slow and subtle gives one the same effect of the hard form of Martial arts for the body, both internal and the external. Along with this it also works on the mind calming it and strengthening it. When this soft form is practiced for about 4 to 5 years along with some conditioning exercise and with the applications the Master imparts to dedicated students, it can turn out to be a life saving Art. This may not impress those who watch you perform/practice but it does change the one who is sincerely practicing on a regular basis. It helps you to discover yourself, to understand your strength and weaknesses and in the process it helps you to understand your fellow living beings too.

With a history of over 5000 years, Tai Chi is an integral part of China’s traditional cultural heritage and its origin dates back to the Ming Dynasty. Tai Chi, the highest form of martial arts is a combination of physical exercise, breathing techniques and meditation, It’s slow, relaxed flowing movements of opening and closing forms, advance and retreat, attack and defence, channelises energy and the body’s natural movements to attain a high degree of fitness, both mental and physical. When you incorporate Tai Chi into your lifestyle, it exercises your body, cultivates your personality and refreshes your mind. Originally developed as martial art, Tai Chi looks like a slow graceful dance, but behind the deceptively simple movements is a wealth of Philosophy, Medicine and Science. Tai Chi is about balance and harmony. While practicing, you could be perspiring, your breathing will be deep and slow and your pulse rate remains normal and at the end of it, you feel more energetic. The continuous flowing movements of Tai Chi are based on the principle that running water never stagnates. It relaxes your muscles and joints while strengthening your body from the inside. Through movements and meditation, Tai Chi ensures you robust physical health and peace of mind. It does wonders for people who are stressed. It uses calming, structured movements to counteract the stress of everyday work pressures. It has achieved great results with some medical conditions including high blood pressure, heart diseases, spleen dysfunction, arthritis, backaches, posture problems, insomnia and breathing difficulties such as asthma among others. Tai Chi is a good way of assisting recovery and is used as a therapy by itself.

An opportunity to catch the missed bus too.

Thanks to Kaustav Guha for writing this wonderful 3 Part diary on Taichi Retreat 2010!

This diary was floating inide the academy group for some time. After seeing our students likes we have shared this with you all.!

Kaustav Guha is our Instructor for our Bangalore branch.

Cast
GrandMaster Fu Sheng Yuan and Master James
Sifu and Simu
G9- Gandi
DS- Devraj Sanyal
S- Sirish
PS – Priya Srivastava
RS- Rohit Srivastava
KG – Kaustav Guha
G – Ganesh
M – Mala
N – Neelima
S and S – Sathya and S
SFDN – Saifuddin
SK – Sachidev Kumar
SS- Sarvanakumar
NL- Nischol

Day 1 (5 March 2010)
The Tai Chi retreat had been a great experience and I do not quite put words to what touched me most but nonetheless I would take a shot at it. Why have we come to love the art of Yang Taijiquan? The reasons may be varied but we all have to come to love it. In my experience the practice of 85 forms has become an indispensible part of my life style and is a necessary ritual for me to function in this literally mad hectic world. It charges the body in the morning and there is enough energy to enjoy the simplest things in life at the end of the day. But the retreat tops all that. I am not alone in smiling at anything and everything and cracking the dumbest jokes for the heck of it like an idiot while and after the retreat. So many ridiculously passionate arguments over nothing! Thinking about which I smile and I knew that the grand ultimate Qi was flowing through my meridians like grade 1 white water torrent. I would share all those nonsensical-non-nonsensical gibberish that transpired in the course of my fooling around with that unfortunate lot who had to put up with me, juxtaposing with what transpired in the sessions.

The WarmUp
After the drive from Central over the beautiful ECR with G9 by me side, PS and RS at the back seat the entry to Temple Bay was “HERE IT IS- I am finally here and despite &^@%$%$$ I made it YES”. G9 was almost a devotee of Sifu and shared some of his earliest experiences and about driving. That was short intro and pretty much sometimes you meet very interesting people and then they are unknown again. Sifu and Simu were really on the swords edge and this was to be pretty much throughout the retreat first of which is happening right there when I called my wife and extending commiserations – “How Sad that you couldn’t make it” and “I miss You”. The property is beautiful and as a Bengalurite I found Chennai COOL not that the beautiful Firangs who greeted us with a “Vanakkam” had anything to do with it. The rooms weren’t ready and I suspect that with their 5 ishtarr procedure of cleaning up the room for 80 odd people is a rarity.

Day 1 went pretty much in serious registration and registering the moments of GrandMaster Fu Sheng Yuan and Master James’ presence amongst us. The session had primary focus on the warm exercises and the clarification of push hands most notably the Tin-Jin and single hand push hands. It looked like a large ball room dance with dancers at their romantic worst. We got to see Master James at his hilarious best when he poked fun, though good fun, at our exercise. Seriously it was really good stuff some very good insight into the principles of 13 forms, push hands. However Day 1 was just a breaking the ice day serious Tai Chi was still due.
“DS: Can you see an ELECTRON?”
Thus began the night one of the retreat. This was an argument that had been simmering for quite some time given my philosophical disposition regarding fundamental aspects of life in general- the author of this statement does not believe any system that will lead us to the truth be it organized religion or science. Any system is a pair of crutches that we rely on to understand what truth is but we can never stand the truth unless we forsake those very crutches. Obviously with the flowing Chi in our meridian (KG, DS and S) decided to have a serious intellectual head butting. So much so that the Chi spilled over the balcony of room #136 rattling unsuspecting passersby of which G and M responded and there Qi rattled us back. The gist of it
KG: To understand electricity one cannot rely on mere abstractions in physics
DS : So can you see an electron?
KG: Electron is a mere abstraction but not what IS
G and M: Who’s UP THERE?
DS, KG: Oh uhh errrr sorry did we bother you ?????
Bangalore Crowd
We at Bangalore come to the Tai Chi Class like a thief and leave surreptitiously. Its almost like a secret society so secret that our very presence in the class is a secret to ourselves. The retreat thawed this super-cooled chill amongst us, more on that later. The Day 1 was super good.

The small shimmering yellow and red lights seemed floating in air. The road that curved gently bounded by these uniformly arranged lights on both sides. The early morning fog was descending making the environment a little hazy. The sea was nowhere to be seen and everything above the horizon was dark. Scouting for known faces, not very far, i noticed a familiar group of people standing on a raised platform. It was as if the stage had been set for a long awaited event and we were early. The tiled marble floor below the wide open sky seemed moist. The Sun was definitely hiding somewhere.

Yes ! We were there to do Sunrise Tai Chi at Marina beach that many of us in Chennai were long expecting. To see and share a lively “Hi” with students from different centers is truly something. People with diverse backgrounds and they are here for one thing, Tai Chi.

On the arrival of Simu and Sifu, we knew the play was about to begin very shortly.The actors yin and yang would also arrive the moment play starts and the play will be about their interplay.

Time for warm-up. Despite the fog that blocked the rising Sun, the bright light lit the place with unnoticeable gradualness. One moment you know it is dark, another moment you realize how bright it has become. We finished the warm up with embracing the tree mediatation.

Soon after that we were to begin the 8 forms. Sifu said Chiiii and we moved in unison. After the 8 forms, we did the 85 forms. Amidst 85 forms, i started feeling a little uncomfortable. All of a sudden i realized there were a lot of people watching us. Some of them clicking photos. They were all around us. Instantly i was reminded of how i enjoyed watching people do Tai Chi in a group when i first joined the academy. I would have learnt one or two forms. Everybody in the class would start together and the beginers would do till what they knew. Then we would move away and enjoy watching the advanced students complete the 85 forms smoothly. It gave such joy !.

Puff ! Back to reality, the moment, in the middle of 85 forms, i had let my attention fly. What a blunder !. “Focus Focus Focus” i told myself. Ok now back on track !. We finished the 85 forms. Did the spectators enjoy watching us. I dont know, but i enjoyed doing it.
I now know that if you enjoy watching it, you will eventually end up finding greater joy in doing it.

Immediately after the 85 forms we did 28 forms and we closed the play with the thunderous “HA” sound along with the clapping. How refreshing can it get !. Inquisitive onlookers approached some of our students and enquired about what we were doing.

What are we doing ! The Grand Ultimate ! TAI CHI !

The Hindu published article on Grandmaster Fu Sheng Yuan and his son Fu Qing Quan (Master James Fu) title Gentle power of Tai chi

Article by Sathya

Thanks to Sathya for sharing this nice story.

A long time ago, in a land far, far way, there lived two boys. The two
boys were fast friends, and they could be seen together every day.
When one of them wanted to swim in the river, the other went with him.
When one of them wanted to ride horses, the other went with him. When
one of them had chores to do, the other one helped him. They were
always together in everything that they did.

One afternoon, while the boys were down by the river skipping stones,
some other boys a little older than they were came walking by. They
saw the two boys standing by the river laughing and throwing rocks,
and they decided that since no one was around, they could do as they
pleased.

They walked up behind the two boys and said, “You two! Turn around. We
want to talk to you.”

The two boys dropped their rocks and turned around. They were facing
three older boys. The one in the middle was the one doing the talking.
He said, “Do you have any money?”

The two young boys were frightened, but they answered him firmly,
“Yes, why”?

The older boy said, “Give it to me.”

The boys answered, “No. You get your own money.”

At this the older boys looked at each other in shock. How dare these
two speak to them in such a defiant tone of voice! The two boys were
younger and smaller than they were. They would teach the two boys a
lesson.

The older boy said, “You should not have said that!” And he ran at
them with his friends. The two boys held up their hands and tried to
struggle, but the older boys pushed them down on the ground and began
kicking them.

The kicks hurt terribly, and two boys screamed for the older boys to
stop kicking them while they lay on the ground. The older boys laughed
and continued kicking until the young boys were beaten soundly. Then
the older boys took their money, and walked away.

After that day the two boys decided that they would learn the art of
karate. They walked together to the home of a man who they knew was a
master instructor of karate. They knocked on his door together, and
they waited together while they heard the shuffling of someone’s feet
coming to the door.

The door opened slowly, and behind it was an old man with grey hair.
He said, “Hello, boys. Why are you here?”

The two boys looked at each other, nodded, and then said at the same
time, “We want you to teach us karate. Would you please, sir?”

“Why would you wish me to teach you karate?” He asked.

The boys answered, “We were beaten down by the river. We need to be
able to protect ourselves.” They nodded after they said this,
emphasizing that they were very ready for karate lessons.

The old man said, “I see. Very well. Come inside why don’t you, and we
will begin your lessons at once.”

The two boys stepped into the old man’s home and looked around. It was
very quiet inside, but in the back he had a large empty room. He took
the two boys back there, and he began to show them karate.

Every day, the two boys would come to the old man’s home at the same
time, wait on his porch, and go inside his house when he finally came
to the door to let them in. Sometimes, while they were waiting, they
would take some of the tools from the shed in the yard and do some
chores. The man was old, and they liked to help him.

The two boys would then go into the old man’s house and practice
karate with him. He taught them to stretch, to roll, to fall, to
punch, kick, throw, wrestle, and everything that he knew, one step at
a time.

After a few lessons, it became apparent to the old man that one of the
boys was naturally gifted at karate, for he only needed to see someone
else perform a move or technique to learn it himself. The other boy,
however, despite being just as smart and strong, was not so talented,
and he struggled through each and every lesson to keep up.

The boy who was talented began to feel as though his friend was
holding him back, because the old man gave him so much attention.
Perhaps he was also a little jealous, too. The boy who was not
talented began to feel as though he was being left behind, because he
had to struggle so much to keep up. And, maybe he also felt a little
jealous.

The old man simply grinned at the two boys and ignored either of them
if they complained about the other. He knew they had been friends
their whole lives and had done everything together, and that they were
growing in new ways and would have to learn to accept these changes
and understand them. When they asked him questions about it, he
answered them honestly.

“Why is my friend better at karate than I am? We have the same
lessons. We practice the same! It does not seem fair!” One of them
asked one day.

The old man replied, “It is because you are unique and different
people, growing up to be different men. Your friend can move without
thinking. You cannot move without thinking. Do you understand?”

He did not. Neither did his friend when he asked why the other was so
slow.

As the months went by, the boys continued to train together under the
master’s eye. The very talented boy would always win any match between
the two, moving quickly and easily around the room, hitting his friend
with controlled blows which did not injure him, but were still just as
humiliating. This would cause untalented friend to spend long time
alone practicing on his own, writing notes to himself, and thinking
about his karate practice so that he could keep up.

The boy with talent would beat him again at their next meeting. The
boy without talent would struggle through, and then would think deeply
about why this had happened and what he could do about it. Sometimes
he would ask the old man questions about different ways to practice
when he was alone, and the old man would advise him on the particulars
of what he was doing.

The years went by, and the boys grew into young men. One of them was
always learning things as if he already knew how to do them, the other
was always struggling, analyzing, struggling some more, and thinking.

More years passed, and the two young men became fully grown men, got
married, and moved into their own houses. But they still visited the
old man’s house every now and then to practice karate with him
watching and coaching the weaker of the two.

Eventually, the old man died. The two men were very sad to have lost
him. “I cannot believe our master is dead!” The strong one said.

The weaker one said, “Yes, it is quite terrible, and nothing shall
ever be the same again.” And they were both very, very mournful, and
they grieved by not practicing karate any longer. They had grown up,
and were both very strong, and everyone knew that they had mastered
the art of karate at the feet of the village master. They no longer
had any need of constant practice, for no one would bother them now.

Time passed, and the two men no longer lived near one another. The
stronger of the two had moved off to find his fortune, and the weaker
of the two had stayed behind in the village. Eventually, the weaker of
them had children of his own, and his children eventually asked him,
“Father, I wish to learn karate. Can you teach me?”

“Yes, of course. Are you sure you wish to learn karate? If you do,
then we must ask the village to help me build a dojo, because I do not
know how to build one myself.” The children did wish it, and so he
asked the village to help him add a large, empty room to the back of
his home where he could teach his children karate.

The men of the village agreed to help him build a dojo on the back of
his house, but before they would help him, they made him agree to a
bargain. “If we help you build this dojo, then you must also teach our
children as well, so that all of the children in the village can grow
up to be as wise in the ways of men as you are.”

The weaker of the two men agreed to this demand, and asked that they
please build the building.

The men of the village gathered with tools at his home, and after a
few days, a nice, large room was ready for him to begin teaching his
children and all of the children of the village. The next day, in the
afternoon, all of the children from around town had gathered on his
front porch, and he took them inside, just as the old man had done for
him, and he brought them to the room and he taught them.

He was very patient and kind with his students, and he helped them
with their karate technique. Some of them were naturally gifted, and
it seemed as though they only needed to be shown a technique or move
one time to be able to do it. Others required more attention, for they
could not move without thinking. The strong ones seemed very talented,
and the others seemed to struggle through every lesson, even though
the weaker of the two men was kind and patient with his explanations.

How could he be otherwise? It was how he had learned at his teacher’s
feet.

Eventually, one of the weaker children he was teaching approached him
and said, “I am very weak at karate, and I always lose my matches.
Everything I try seems not as good as the others. This seems hopeless.
I am no good at karate, and I will never be a great teacher like you.”

The weaker of the two men stared at the child for a moment, and then
he smiled and said, “One day, I will introduce you to my friend, who
is very strong, and he will tell you the secret of becoming the
greatest karate expert in the land. He is a great fighter, and he has
never lost a match. He is very fast, very strong, and very impressive.
Will you wait until you meet him to decide?”

The child agreed, and sulked as he walked back to his lessons.

Every day the children came to his house to learn karate. Every day,
the strong ones defeated the weaker ones, and the weaker of the two
men taught them and his children all of his tricks, strategies,
special practices, and understanding of karate so that they could
overcome their weaknesses and reach their potential.

One day, the weaker of the two men opened his door to let in the
children, and he saw his front porch had more than just his usual
students sitting there. Standing in the yard at the foot of the steps
of his home was the stronger of the two men, much older now, with two
young boys standing next to him.

The eyes of the weaker of the two men opened very wide in joy and
surprise and he yelled, “Aha! My old and dear friend! How I have
missed you these long years! You look well and stronger than I as
always! I have so looked forward to you coming to my home and teaching
my students the secret of becoming a great karate teacher!”

The stronger of the two said, “Indeed I shall teach your students that
secret right now. I am a great champion of karate. I have defeated
every karate man that I have ever met. I can kick and punch faster
than anyone. My movements are naturally graceful and strong. I am
gifted with talent that was given to me on the day that I was born.
There is no other who can oppose me in a match of karate fighting and
hope to win.”

The children stared at the strong man standing with the two boys.

“When my two sons became old enough, they asked me to teach them
karate and make them into champions as well. Of course I agreed. I am
the greatest champion in the land, so why should I not do this?”

The children looked at the boys, envious that they were learning from
the greatest karate man they had ever seen.

“But my sons did not inherit my natural gift. They are like their
mother, not me. They cannot move without thinking. So every time they
move, they must think about it. They ask me many questions, but I have
no answers. They ask me how to do things, and I cannot tell them. I
never struggled when I learned, for I never had to try. I never
thought about how to move, because I could move without thinking.”

The children looked at the boys, sad for them that they did not have
the great champion’s natural talent.

The champion continued, “I realized yesterday that I cannot teach
karate. I can only do karate. I have brought my sons here to be taught
by you, old friend. I am the champion, but you are the master. It is
you who struggled through many problems. It is you who thought deeply
about how to move best. It is you who knows the many mysterious ways
to overcome obstacles and improve despite having no talent.

“The greatest karate teacher in the land is you, because you cannot
move without thinking. I beg of you, please teach my sons.”

And the master agreed.

How is the current trend of learning Tai Chi in Chennai? What kind of people come in, men, women, children etc?

Compared to 10 years back, there is lot of awareness about Taichi for which lot of credit must be given to the media too. We have doctors, engineers, IPS officers, Military officers, scientists, professors, software professionals, sports persons , corporate heads , college / school students,

Teachers , housewives among others. We also have people with ailment and disorders ( arthritis , spinal disorders , hypertension, breathing disorder etc)  attending classes to recoup faster as Taichi compliments medical science.

How helpful is Tai Chi in relieving stress?

Taichi is a therapy by itself as it addresses not only the body but the mind too. It works on the central nervous system calming the mind. When the mind is calm it is clear and in total control, in the process de-stressing is taking place.

How different is Tai Chi from other martial art forms?

Taichi Chuan is a Chinese form of Martial Art with a history of over 5000 years. It has the hard form and the soft form. The Taichi chuan hard form and other martial arts like Karate, Taekwando, judo etc are for combat and self-defence. The soft form of Taichi is for fitness and to balance the body and the mind. We promote and teach the soft form only.

Tai Chi has slow movements, so how helpful is it in self defence?

People who practice the soft form of Taichi regularly for over 5 years will naturally develop the martial art skills and with some conditioning exercises from the Master, they will be able to use this for self defence.

Have there been any interesting incidents where your students have used it in self defence?

Taichi only disciplines those who practice regularly and it never leads one to a situation like this and we have no incidents to share regarding this.

What are the common instructions or precautions to be followed while learning Tai Chi? like for eg: the kind of clothes to be worn, any specific time to practice etc.

Loose clothings like track pant / tshirt or taichi uniform is recommended and ideally one should practice around sunrise or sunset. To attain a blissfull state one can even practice between 11:00pm and 3:00 am when the world around us is quite and calm.

Does Tai Chi have any medical side effects?

Taichi only compliments medical science as it is a therapy by itself. If you can WALK you can do TAICHI. ( please go through the attachment titled “Introduction to Taichi”, you will find most of the information in it)

1) What is Tai chi?

Taichi Chuan or Taichi is the highest form of martial arts which has its roots in China. It means ‘Supreme ultimate fist’, ‘Great life force’ etc.

2) Is Tai chi, which we know today, a modified version of the traditional form?

There are many schools which teach Taichi in the world. What we teach and promote is the Authentic Yang Family Taichi Chuan which was founded by the 1st Grand Master, Yang Lu Chan. I am the disciple of the 5th Generation Grand Master, Fu Sheng Yuan who has his schools spread all over the world with his base in China and Australia. What I teach is the pure traditional form which I have learnt from my teacher in my many visits to both China and Australia.

3) What kind of exercises does one do in Tai chi?

It is a combination of physical exercise, breathing techniques and meditation. It comprises of slow, relaxed flowing movements of opening and closing forms, advance and retreat, attack and defence, channalising energy through the body’s natural movements to attain high degree of fitness, both mental and physical.

4) What are the health benefits of Tai chi?

With regular practice it works on the central nervous system, calming the mind. It works on the cardiovascular system strengthening the heart, lungs etc. It works on the digestive system strengthening the internal organs. Over all it strengthens the immune system and protects us from ailments and even if we fall ill it helps us to recover faster. It tones up the muscles, strengthens the ligaments, tendons, bones, nerves etc. It helps you to cope up with the day to day pressures of life and keeps you mentally strong and alert. For a high performing sportsperson it helps them to stay calm at the crutial stages of the game. For a normal person it helps to sustain the fitness level. For a person with ailments or dis-orders it helps them to recover back to good health and taichi compliments / supports medical science.

5) Tai chi is often called “meditation in motion”, please explain why?

Its because the movements are like the river flow without a break for 21 minutes, in which we perform about 600 to 700 movements. While one is in practice, the pulse rate does not go up, the breathing remains the same and many times it slows down. We move from left to right, forward and back but the speed remains the same and the spine too is straight without any strain on it. The most important factor is that the mind is is in the present moment. When the mind does not wander to the past or to the future and is in the here and the now, it is meditation. The combination of all this is “Meditation in Motion” or “Moving Meditatiom”. Well, I was describing the Authentic Yang Family Taichi and not the other styles, which may not follow the uniform pattern popularly known as a “Moving Meditation”.

6) How popular is Tai chi in India?

When I started teaching Taichi 15 years back,very few people knew about this art but over the years with word of mouth and media support it has gained popularity. Now when one practices Taichi in an open Park, people recognize this . It is very popular among the working class namely….IT professionals,doctors,sportsperson among others. We have been teaching the MRF Pace Foundation cricketers headed by Dennise Lilliee and T A Sekar, STF police cammandos, IAS and IPS officers, Corporate houses and Business heads among others.

7) Are there any academies or institutions in India where one can learn Tai chi and what is the cost?

Our academy has its branches in seven major cities…chenai , Bangalore,Hyderabad, Mumbai, Pune,Delhi & Kochi. The cost for a one year course is Rs.12,000/- and if one wants to start with the basic beginner’s level, it would cost them Rs.3000/- for a two months course.
Do we have enough experts (or teachers) in India to teach Tai chi?

Yes, Our Academy has instructors in their respective cities and I have personally trained them to teach.

9) Can one learn Tai chi watching video clips and reading books?

No, it is not possible .

10) Are there different levels of training in Tai chi?

When one joins our class, they start with simple movements and slowly progress to more sophisticated combinations and by the end of the course one has a life package. Those who wish to learn the weapon forms can learn the sword and the sabre if they wish after the Life Package lessons.

11) What is the minimum age to start Tai chi?

There is no age bar in our Academy. We have students between 10 and 85 years at the moment.

12) If someone is a heart patient or a diabetic, is it advisable to do Tai chi?

Taichi is a therapy by itself and we not only have students who have gone through bypass but also those with diabetes, hypertension, arthritis, spinal disorders, insomnia, asthma etc. Taichi compliments / supports medical science to recover from ailments faster.

13) What are the things required to practice Tai chi?

Loose clothing and comfortable footwear.

14) Is there any restriction on practicing Tai chi indoors or outdoors?

It is best to practice Taichi outdoor with nature. If indoors, it should be well ventilated.

15) Does Tai chi has any similarity with yoga?

Yoga is asanas , pranayama and rajayoga and are done separately whereas Authentic Yang Family Taichi is a combination of all the three yogas.

Older adults at risk of shingles may get as much immunity to the
varicella-zoster virus (VCV) as the VCV vaccine provides by adding tai
chi, the ancient Chinese exercise system, to their exercise program.
But the new study from the National Institutes of Health also reports
that tai chi appears to significantly increase the effectiveness of
the varicella vaccine, as well, giving even greater immunity to those
who receive the vaccine and participated in a tai chi program.
VCV causes both chickenpox and shingles. Shingles is a painful
condition of the nerves that predominantly affects people over 50,
especially those who had chickenpox in their youth.
The randomized, controlled clinical trail studied the effects of tai
chi in a 16-week program, finding that tai chi greatly increased
immunity in groups that participated in tai chi alone, and those that
participated in tai chi and received the VCV vaccine.

Source: National Institutes of Health, April 2007
*******************************************

Lot of articles found on Google with search key Taichi + Shingles
Some sites are below:
http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/apr2007/nia-06.htm
http://psychologytoday.com/articles/pto-20030923-000001.html