Wayne's Blog # 35

 August  4, 2025   In Taipei 

  Wayne's Blog # 35

Simply One Word :   Song 

A.

       At my Airbnb apartment I am always training with this partner or that partner. 

B.

   Without arms , without feets , & empty waist. This feeling with mindfulness and understanding will develop as you make gradual progress. 

  

****** You always have Partners to train with : 

  In person training is valuable for many reasons. Opportunity to do 2 person drills , close up view of how the teacher is demonstrating the technique, real time feedback from the teacher and classmates, etc 

 But …..

     Some people can’t make in person classes 

     Some people maybe able to attend 1 in person class 

    Know that there are other “ partners”  you can work with 24/7 and will always be there when training on your own 

   These partners you made not be aware its value, but they play an important role in the big picture 

  Other Partners: Floor , Wall , Air 

    Floor : 

   The floor will teach you a lot about internal system. Learning how to connect with the floor will remind you not to press physically, apply the acronyms GOES and COP. 

    When I am practicing the tai chi form daily , I know the importance of the Soft Yang feet so energy is able to go through the Bubbling  spring. Need to be stepping on floor as gentle and evenly as possible. 

 A Soft Yang bottom feet provides a foundation to learn how to Rebound or trampoline energy back up and out your finger tips . Having a relationship with the floor reminds you the roles it plays as a conduit for energy. 

  I have used the word “ unity “ during zoom IST classes. This word represents your energy and below the ground energy become one complete line energy. 

   For this to happen need a understanding of the floor , like your training partner you are constantly in your mind learning to connect with floor in proper energy alignment ( PEA )

   The Wall : 

   Like the floor , the wall can be like a training partner to help you understand internal system dynamics. 

  Two techniques you can practice with your training partner- the Wall 

1.

  Touch Wall Drill : purpose to feel rebound/ trampoline energy , learn to gently touch- no force , upright alignment awareness 

1 stay 1 feet away from wall 

2 one leg back , one forward 

3 both hands go up to gently touch

    Wall , from trampoline  energy 

 2.  

    Touch Wall Bounce Back : purpose is listen to energy return back to you from the wall , no resistance , learn to Kai or open up inside 

Same as above instructions except this time you bounce back. 

  This bounce back is often 3-5 bounce backs in consecutive hops, due to energy returning back into your internal system 

  I practice both Wall drills , another one of my training partners when I am alone inside my Airbnb apartment 

    

**** Without Arms, Hands and Empty Waist :

   With daily regular practice and progress in your IST , Sifu Chen mentions the actions of your arms , waist and feet becoming more and more one unit with your body - this is “ No Separation.”  

  This advance skill set allows for you to not get caught up in your training partner’s incoming energy. Push hands with the experience to stay empty and song is what allows you to keep your central equilibrium. 

  Each day I get the opportunity to feel Sifu Chen’s empty arms, waist and Feet. He often shares with me due to his empty waist , incoming energy does not get stuck in stiffness in your upper body. 

  When you are practicing the tai chi form, this is a good opportunity to experience where everything is moving as one unit. 

    When Energy is going to the general ( feet )and the general talks to the commander ( waist ) and the commander becomes a rolling a ball , now your two arms and your two legs and your waist gets the information from the ground up , and there is no localize Energy acting on its own . 

In Summary ,  the more you train daily in IST sessions , you start to get creative in  your personal practice. 

     Training  with classmates and partners are important, but we don’t always have that chance to be in those situations so the floor and the wall plays an important part in your overall IST development.

Wayne 

Arm Bridge Tai Chi 

August 4 , 2025   In Taipei 

 Wayne's Blog # 35

Website

https://sites.google.com/view/armbridge-tai-chi/home****** You always have Partners to train with : 

  In person training is valuable for many reasons. Opportunity to do 2 person drills , close up view of how the teacher is demonstrating the technique, real time feedback from the teacher and classmates, etc 

 But …..

     Some people can’t make in person classes 

     Some people maybe able to attend 1 in person class 

    Know that there are other “ partners”  you can work with 24/7 and will always be there when training on your own