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Some time ago, I bought and read Bruce Kumar Frantzis’book “The Power of the Internal Arts – Combat Secrets of Tai Chi, Ba Gua and Hsing Yi”. I found it a very fascinating book.
Among many other goodies, the book makes it clear that one does not jump into free sparring but must train in a systematic step by step manner, beginning with basic form and patterns to one-step sparring, then Push Hands, another intermediate stage after that and then free sparring. I found that this resonates very much with our own methodology.
In addition, the author’s constant and recurring emphasis on zhan zhuang was further verification of the importance of this exercise, as if we needed any confirmation of this.
One very useful section was the comparison of the three internal arts which inspired me to begin a thread in the Shen Men Tao thread. I don’t want to say too much about the contents of the book but I think it is a very good read, and Sifu himself has quoted from this book before in his Questions and Answers.
As I read through the reviews in the Amazon website on this book, I was mostly amused and at some point annoyed at reviews that complained that the book did not give out any secrets despite its title. I will say this: the book has loads of secrets. It is just that people who want a step by step illustration and photographs and “how to do” list will be disappointed. I simply cannot understand why some people insist on believing that they can learn advanced arts from a book.
I don’t think it is possible to write down some of the secrets, and even if that were done, they may not be recognized as secrets, but as common sense. One example: The author notes that there are covert and hidden applications of Peng, Lv, Ji, An and the hidden applications can only be pointed out by a Taijiquan adept. Then he goes on to actually say what these applications can be, such as the fact that Lv can be applied when moving the arm or body forward. That one line opened up several possibilities for me, for example in how I would apply Fair Lady or Wild Horse Spreads Mane. If total novices want to be spoon-fed secrets, I suppose that can be done, but I doubt it would do them any good.
Another silly complaint was about how the author seems to be promoting his own seminars and other works instead of giving out the secrets in the book. This is sometimes a valid complaint but not here. I read the book from cover to cover and saw all the footnotes where references to the author’s classes or other books are mentioned. It is quite clear to me that in those instances, it was really not possible or impractical to give details. I think those who have read Sifu’s books will understand that despite Sifu’s clear and simple instructions, many things just cannot be transmitted from a written page.
Among many other goodies, the book makes it clear that one does not jump into free sparring but must train in a systematic step by step manner, beginning with basic form and patterns to one-step sparring, then Push Hands, another intermediate stage after that and then free sparring. I found that this resonates very much with our own methodology.
In addition, the author’s constant and recurring emphasis on zhan zhuang was further verification of the importance of this exercise, as if we needed any confirmation of this.
One very useful section was the comparison of the three internal arts which inspired me to begin a thread in the Shen Men Tao thread. I don’t want to say too much about the contents of the book but I think it is a very good read, and Sifu himself has quoted from this book before in his Questions and Answers.
As I read through the reviews in the Amazon website on this book, I was mostly amused and at some point annoyed at reviews that complained that the book did not give out any secrets despite its title. I will say this: the book has loads of secrets. It is just that people who want a step by step illustration and photographs and “how to do” list will be disappointed. I simply cannot understand why some people insist on believing that they can learn advanced arts from a book.
I don’t think it is possible to write down some of the secrets, and even if that were done, they may not be recognized as secrets, but as common sense. One example: The author notes that there are covert and hidden applications of Peng, Lv, Ji, An and the hidden applications can only be pointed out by a Taijiquan adept. Then he goes on to actually say what these applications can be, such as the fact that Lv can be applied when moving the arm or body forward. That one line opened up several possibilities for me, for example in how I would apply Fair Lady or Wild Horse Spreads Mane. If total novices want to be spoon-fed secrets, I suppose that can be done, but I doubt it would do them any good.
Another silly complaint was about how the author seems to be promoting his own seminars and other works instead of giving out the secrets in the book. This is sometimes a valid complaint but not here. I read the book from cover to cover and saw all the footnotes where references to the author’s classes or other books are mentioned. It is quite clear to me that in those instances, it was really not possible or impractical to give details. I think those who have read Sifu’s books will understand that despite Sifu’s clear and simple instructions, many things just cannot be transmitted from a written page.
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