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**hzj** · 12-06-2007, 06:12 PM

	Quote:			Originally Posted by Christoffel
	Hmm. I have a different perspective on this actually. For the competition routines, esp 42 and the old 48, having basics like 18, 24 or even 32 (Si Duan) will certainly build yr basics in learning the routines. For traditional routines wise, the more important stuff is the 基本功. Each style have their own 基本功. At least of Chen style, this inculdes 缠丝, 发劲, 腿法, 步法 and etc. Different styles share the many common similarities but there are differences which makes each style unique. This is also how taiji judges gauge the athletics' performances during a competition. The are not SHEN, haha. They wun know all the routines, but foundamental stuff such as shoulders relaxing, maintaining a certain wide position, jin's total coordination, blah blah are all common. We use to make a joke when pple who apply Chen style on Yang style and vice-versa, often or not, the person doing Chen style will have '杨'骚味, coversely the person doing Yang style will have '陈'皮味. Once i had a student doing competition routine joining me for Chen class, no doubt he have a certain frame that is great for taiji, i had to correct him from bottom up in Chen style. There are features which makes the style unique, eg Chen style's 缠丝, Yang style's 大朋大捋, Wu style's 川字步斜身, Wu(Hao) style's 小巧身正, Sun's style's 开合活步, Zhaobao, Hulei and many others. These are jus examples of each styles' features and there is certainly much more. The basics(基本功) are then based on such characteristics to formulate are made practise for anyone who wanted to learn their styles. Eg. I think asking ppl to walk countless of 搂膝拗步 is a common thing in taiji class? I do too, asking them to walk Chen style's 拗步. I have a 师叔 who went beijing to look for Wu Style Master Li Bing Ci (李秉慈), Li also asked him to do 搂膝拗步, but in the Wu style's way. Do think abt 搂膝拗步 next time you do it, see if you're doing it the competition way or the tradtional Yang style way. Anybody stepping into a taiji class should have a certain goal. Health, Competition, Combat or jus accompany ppl to come sweat? Health comes naturally from competition or combat, but the latter two dun always go with each other. Unless of course you go for san shou or tui shou competition then you'll have some experiences. Never go tell pple you learning taiji for 10 years and u can defence yourself when u haven had touch training with pple. So it really boils down what you wan taiji for, i think its worth thinking abt it. No offence, jus my opinion

tats lots of info... thnx...