Along with Eric and Connie, two Tai Chi classmates (we study with Warren Allen at Pacific Martial Arts here in Salem), I thoroughly enjoyed Master David Leung's workshop today at Cafe Noir -- which was sponsored by Oregon CHI.
I'm a firm believer that chi/qi is stimulated productively, and easily if you have about $2, with a good cup of coffee. Cafe Noir didn't disappoint. Their locally roasted Tico's Coffee was terrific.
But this wasn't the only way my mood was elevated during Leung's presentation. He was energetic, entertaining, and exuberant in a charming Chinese manner. Leung's English also is excellent (I think I've used up my "E" words for this paragraph).
He teaches at the Leung Martial Arts Academy in Eugene, which features instruction in several styles: Yang Tai Chi, Wing Chun Kung Fu, Chen Tai Chi, among others. Master Leung demonstrated these three, showing their similarities and differences.
Intensity, concentration, mindfulness.
These qualities shone forth in everything Leung did, whether talking or moving. Along with relaxation, flowingness, and humility. His Wing Chun is blindingly fast. Humbly, he said that he used to be a martial artist "hot stuff," but now is just "warm stuff."
Well, I can tell you that no bad guy would want to meet up with this 5' 2" slender man in a dark alley. After his presentation, Eric and I stayed to ask some questions. Eric's involved a "needle at sea bottom" application that involved a Chin Na (joint lock) move if someone grabs your wrist.
Eric and I are much larger than Master Leung. But when he showed us the technique close up and personal, we both were on our knees almost instantly. (The trick was using three fingers to press on a nerve, rather than using your whole hand to produce the lock.)
That was cool. Yet I found Leung's philosophical observations to be even cooler. Here's some fairly accurate, though not always word for word, recollections based on the notes that I took.
Most people don't see the mutiplicity of what the universe is all about. They focus on what is black and white.
A tiger will flee from a badger, if the badger is committed to saving his life.
If someone is opposed to me, I can fix their heart, not kick their butt.
We must fuse the body with spirit/consciousness.
My success is built on the shoulders of giants.
There are physical transformations, and also transformations beyond the physical.
Change happens from within. We need to get into our internal body.
There is an essence behind this art. Raw power can easily backfire.
A key is doing all things without thinking. My punch throws itself, with no anger, no excitement -- just work.
I've been learning Tai Chi for over six years, after about twelve years of hard style martial arts training. Yet watching and listening to Master Leung reinforced what I never fail to remember:
What I know is hardly anything, compared to what there is to learn.
Master Leung started off the demonstration portion of his workshop with a "this is how lots of Tai Chi looks." He proceeded to do (or "play," in Tai Chi parlance) a fairly short Yang style form. To most people, and even to me, it looked like pretty damn good Tai Chi.
Flowing. Smooth. Graceful. Harmonious.
After finishing the form, Leung pounded his ribs and stomach, saying "But real Tai Chi comes from here." He then proceeded to play the form again, in a much more energetic fashion -- yet not faster.
It reminded me in some ways of what little I've seen of Drunken Style Kung Fu, a subject I alluded to in a post on my other blog. Outwardly, it looked like Master Leung would sway, jerk, move erratically. But inwardly, it was evident that he was fully in command of what he was doing.
(Or perhaps more accurately, what he was doing was in command of him.)
My post-workshop question for Master Leung was this: "Is Chi/Qi natural and physical, or supernatural and immaterial?" He told me that Chi is bodily, though related to mind, noting that he teaches psychology. I said, "But mind is part of the brain, and the brain is physical, so Chi also must be physical." Yes, Leung replied.
This fits with how I've come to view Qi. It's the subtle aspect of Tai Chi and other martial arts. Also, of life. It's the energy that lifts us from the mundane into the shining. (Which relates to another recent blog post.)
Upon returning home from the workshop, I wanted to find out how old Master Leung is. It took me a bit of Googling, but the answer eventually popped up: 61, or thereabouts.
Hey, I'm 62. I can only hope that I'll be as youthful as Master Leung is one of these days, notwithstanding the fact that we're almost exactly the same age. What's he's got is what we all can have: inner energy.
It's just a matter of channeling and expressing it. Caffeine helps, but Chi/Qi is the real deal.
Nice post, just started following your blog. I'm a fellow salemite:) I found your blog via searching for tai chi in salem. Too bad I missed this workshop tho. Do you know of any meetups around town for tai chi?
-Colin
Posted by: Colin | February 06, 2011 at 07:37 PM
Brian,
Good job! I would also like to mention that Master Leung’s message was not lost on me. The idea, the fact, even, that power, real power, is what you give to others. When people truly love you, respect you, it is because you have given them the power to do so, without forcing or coercing them.
And, speaking of power, back to the martial aspects, Master Leung also had me hold him in a bear hug from behind. This small man released himself from my grasp with a move (crane spreads its wings) which thrust his shoulder (his shoulder, mind you!) into my chest, followed by a rain of elbows which thankfully were very well controlled. This leads to another point he made, a good teacher never hurts his students. He illustrated that earlier by telling a story about a student that came to him and told him he studied with a “great teacher”. “What makes him so great?” Sifu Leung asked. “Well, he broke three of my ribs the last time we sparred!” responded the student. Master Leung pointed this man to the “gorilla” in the corner, saying “Well, this guy can do a lot more damage that just breaking three ribs. You should follow him as he would be a great teacher!”
Posted by: Eric | February 07, 2011 at 08:31 AM
Eric, thanks for adding to my rendition of Master Leung's workshop.
Yes, his mentions of love and respect, via some stories and otherwise, were moving. As was, more physically, how he handled your bear hug.
I also liked what Bob AngYo Brown, the organizer of the event, said when he walked up to the stage to offer some remarks on his own. From my notes...
-- All of martial arts, including Tai Chi, is based on mindfulness. As is living life as a whole, properly.
-- One must be concentrated, focused.
-- You know what to do at each moment.
-- Apply a small drop of chi (energy); that power, applied at the right time, at the right point, can accomplish great things.
Posted by: Blogger Brian | February 07, 2011 at 10:38 AM
Colin, I'm not aware of any Tai Chi "meetups" outside of Tai Chi classes. If this ever happens I'll blog about it.
I'm attracted to the philosophical side of Tai Chi (obviously) and have thought about starting a Taoism discussion group here in Salem.
Something loose and informal, probably. Just some folks sitting around a coffeehouse table shooting some caffeinated Tai Chi/Taoism breeze. Maybe someday...
Posted by: Blogger Brian | February 07, 2011 at 10:45 AM
Hi All, I'm recording a series of Progressive Chi Kung and Tai Chi Chuan classes (Master Leung's system as best I can follow it) for broadcast on CCTV channel 23 (Comcast)in the Salem/Keizer area. I'm also considering offering early morning (wake-up)Chi Kung/Tai Chi Chuan Training at Cafe Noir 7am-8am one day a week (??) If you're interested contact me. [email protected]
Posted by: Bob AnGyo Brown | February 09, 2011 at 08:45 AM
Hi, Master Leung and disciples will be at the Interfaith Peace Festival, 3pm Saturday August 20, 2011.
Posted by: Bob Brown | July 31, 2011 at 04:10 PM