days 116 & 117: intro to 5 element theory

concepts:

• 5-element theory

forms:

• yang long form (2nd half)

we started the spring quarter for the UCLA class. the number of students is a little less than the previous quarters, since this class is marked as "intermediate" with a pre-requisite that students have taken either one of the previous quarters, or had prior instruction in yang tai chi. students trying to register for the class had to appear and get a code number from Sifu.

day 116

Sifu began today with an introduction to what he had planned for this quarter. we're going to resume learning the 2nd half of the Yang long form, as well as go into 5-element theory. in addition, we're going to start learning the 2-person forms of tai chi (e.g., push hands, 2-person drills, etc.).

we went right into the subject matter, with Sifu giving a few basics of 5-element theory. literally, the theory revolves around the application of 5 elements: metal, water, wood, fire, earth, with the applications covering not only tai chi but also traditional Chinese medicine and regular living. in traditional Chinese medicine, each of these elements is associated with its own respective internal and external body parts:

• metal : internal-lung : external-scapula
• water: internal-kidney : external-pelvic area/tailbone/hips
• wood : internal-liver : external-ribs
• fire : internal-heart : external-sternum
• earth : internal-stomach : external-spine
  

in tai chi, each of these also presents a specific area of emphasis in tai chi movements. Sifu demonstrated the initial moves of the long form, denoting the element and body parts being highlighted in each. for example, the opening sequence is an act of fire (raising the hands in front of the body, thereby lifting sternum, and so emphasizing the heart) and then water (lowering the hands and lowering the body into the horse stance, thereby dropping the pelvic area and hips, and so emphasizing the kidneys).

according to Sifu, this is why tai chi is seen as having medicinal purposes, with the movements serving to direct mental awareness and physical sensitivity to internal and external body parts, as well as massaging them--much the same way as muscles can be massaged.

we ended the class on that note.

day 117

today was a brief review of Tuesday. this time, however, we went further into the initial section of the long form using 5-element theory, doing several iterations with each repetition being done to point out techniques as a series of elements, internal organs, or external body parts.

for the later part of class, Sifu started the 2nd half of the Yang long form. he pointed out that it is largely a repeat of the moves of the first half, but just in slightly different order and direction. as a result, he expects the 2nd half to go quicker in terms of learning the form, allowing more time to cover 5-element theory and 2-person forms.

we finished with a few repetitions of the new movements we covered today.