June Activities

 

Sun Style Taijiquan 73 Competition Form

Sun Style Tai Chun 73 Competition Form

Here are a number of my posts from 2020, 2017, and 2006 regarding my practice of this Tai Chi Chuan Form beginning nearly two decades ago.  

I have read a number of books about and looked at videos of people doing the Sun Style of Tai Chi Chuan.  The history of Grand Master Sun Lu Tang (1861-1933) is important to the development of the internal martial arts.  The Sun Style Taijiquan 73 Competition Form has many followers.  

Starting in February, 2020, I intended to begin classes in Vancouver led by Jill Ross on the Sun Taijiquan.  She teaches at the Cascade Athletic Club on Thursdays in Vancouver, Washington.  However, this class was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  She has studied and learned a number of Sun Style forms developed by Dr. Paul Lam.  

I attended the Tai Chi for Arthritis Level I and II weekend workshop in Pleasant Hill, California, in 2006. The workshop leader was Master Trainer Troyce Thome. She was assisted by Robin Malby.


Here is a post of mine from 2017:

"Recently, a couple of people have written to me regarding the Sun Style of Tai Chi Chuan.  In particular, they wanted information to help them in their regular practice of the Sun Style 73 Taijiquan Competition Form.  

All I could do to help them was to refer them to my incomplete webpage on the subject, which I first published in 2003.  That webpage provides information on the many books, and instructional DVD and VHS resources about this Sun Tai Chi form.  

One person, David Dight, expressed interest in finishing this former Sun 73 webpage project of mine.  Fine.  Onward.  Best wishes, David.  

As for me, I have not practiced the Sun 73 form since 2013, and I only learned to do a good solo performance up to Movement 40.  I enjoyed playing those 40 movements at home alone for a decade.  

This led me to reflect on the many Tai Chi and Qigong forms I have learned, practiced, and played since 1985.  I have learned many and have forgotten many.  Typical for a dilettante, some would say; and, rightly so.  Nevertheless, I dabble and enjoy. Better half of a new good boysenberry pie for a change, rather than just eating peach cobbler all the time.    

I taught the first 40 movements of the Sun 73 Competition Form to my Tai Chi students at the Tehama Family Fitness Center in Red Bluff, CA, from 2006-2010; and Yang style from 2002-2016.  I prefer variety: Yang 24, Chen 18, Sun 40, Yang 108, sword form, cane form, Qigong forms, and yoga vinyasa forms, etc. 

Many people do not have ready geographical access to, or the financial resources for paying for studying person-to-person with a current master of the Sun Style of Tai Chi Chuan.  Yet, they are eager to learn and practice the Sun Taijiquan Competition 73 form.  Using books and instructional media, you too can learn from the Masters.  

"With the development of information technology, the learners should further enhance their knowledge and perfect their skills through reading books and using the multimedia resources, such as video tapes and VCDs.  Sometimes, to some extent, you can master the competition routines even without a coach in person.  Quite a number of people are known to have learned and practice Tai Ji Quan by using the multimedia teaching materials and some even won places in competitions besides keeping fit.  But of course, if given a chance, it is always more beneficial to learn personally from masters."
- The Competition Routine of Sun Style Tai Ji Quan, Edited by Zhong Shan, p. 138. 

Only YOU can actually make the effort, learn, practice, do the work, do the lessons, memorize the movements, imitate, persist, exercise, play, practice, TRY, embody the skills, practice ... Gongfu (Kung Fu) "Mastery due to hard work!"




The following text was written by Mike Garofalo in 2006:

"Lately, I have been studying and practicing the Sun Style Tai Chi Chuan 73 Competition Form. I have been using instructional videotapes by Paul Lam, Liang Shou-Yu, Jesse Tsao, Men Hui-Feng, Li Cheng-Xiang, and Jiang Jian-Ye to learn the form.

Sun Style Taijiquan is done at a "lively step" pace. The average time for the performance of the form is around 6 minutes for 73 movements.

Complete Performance of Sun Taijiquan International Competition 73 Form

Time Performer Source

5:31 Liang, Shou-Yu Sun Style Taijiquan with Applications, VHS, 1996
5:17 Tsao, Jesse Tai Chi Sun Style Competition Form 73, VHS, 2002
9:22 Jiang, Jian-Ye Sun Sytle Tai Chi Competition Form 73, VHS, 1997
7:30 Lam, Paul Sun Style Tai Chi - 73 Forms, The Competition Form, VHS, 2000
5:42 Men, Hui-Feng Sun Style Tai Chi - 73 Forms, The Competition Form, VHS, 2000
3:52 Li, Cheng-Xiang Sun Style Long Competition Form 73, VCD


My favorite instructional videotape is Sun Style Tai Chi - 73 Forms. The Competition Forms. An instructional videotape by Dr. Paul Lam. Narwee, Australia, East Action Video, 2000. A competition form created by Professor Men Hui Feng of Beijing University based on the Sun style. "This detailed instructional video includes a demonstration of the set by its creator, Professor Men Hui-Feng. Sun style is characterised by its powerful qigong elements, agile steps and flowing movements." VHS, 103 minutes. Contents: Introduction to Tai Chi and the Sun style. Comprehensive instructions. Demonstrations of the complete set by Dr. Paul Lam from front and back views. A demonstration by the creator of the set, Professor Men Hu-Feng. ASIN: B000066G1T."

My webpage on the subject of Sun Style Tai Chi Chuan provides a list of the movements in the Sun Style 73 competition form.

Sun Lu Tang's original Taijiquan form was longer, 98 movements.  The 73 version includes a few new kick moves, but is otherwise 80% the same as the original.  Both of these two forms, and other shorter Sun Tai Chi versions (e.g., Dr. Paul Lam's 'Tai Chi for Arthritis' forms), are all the same style ... lively steps, feet close together, erect posture, turning-spins, and the "open and close" qigong move." 

Grandmaster Sun Lu Tang says, 

"There is great emphasis on the method of cultivating the body. All people - men, women, the old, the young - may practice in order to replace temerity with bravery, and stiffness with pliability. Those who are extremely weak, who suffer from fatigue and injury or illness, or who have weakened your qi from the practice of other martial arts to the point that you no longer have the strength to train, all of you may practice Tai Ji Quan. With practice, the qi will quickly come to a balanced state and will become strong, while the spirit naturally returns to a state of wholeness. Disease will be eliminated, and the length of life increased."
-  Grand Master Sun Lu Tang, A Study of Taijiquan, 1921, p. 60. 

Dancing with the Dao

The Fireplace Records, Chapter 45

Dancing with the Dao

In a short lecture by Alan Watts, titled "Walking on the Wheel," he contrasts those who favor listening to music with those who favor dancing to music.  Both are enjoyable, beneficial, pleasurable, and healthy. 

Some Christians and Platonic disciplinarians are disdainful of music, dancing, plays, jokes, games of chance, literature, etc. They contend that such arts corrupt the soul, lead one into vice, overindulge the senses, are sinful, encourage laziness, and take us away from the contemplation of the Divine. Secular pleasures are rejected, puritan attitudes prevail, and contempt for worldly pastimes are demanded.  

My wife told me her Church of Christ fundamentalist parents would not allow any Christmas celebrations, not allow her to go to movies or dances, favored only church hymns, would not allow any musical instruments in church services, and condemned secular cultural pastimes.  Probably, Islamic parents do the same these days.

Most people ignore the ascetic and disciplinary path to salvation and to  the magical after-life.  They enjoy both listening to music, playing music, and dancing to a variety of musical types.

A person with a more passive, quiet, contemplative nature enjoys relaxing and listening to music.  They settle into stillness and auditory indulgence.  These folks also might favor silent still meditation, standing meditation, yin yoga, and Qi Gong practices.

I enjoy dancing, tai chi chuan, and walking while listening to music. I enjoy playing the harmonica.  Doing and making with my body-mind has provided me with a lifetime of pleasures and enjoyment.

Comments, Sources, Observations, Koans, Poems, Quips:

Dance, laugh, sing, and smile your way to vibrant health.

The Dao enjoys Dancing.

The Five Senses

Soma-Aesthetics

Music

Tai Chi Chuan Dancing

Yoga Stillness

Standing Meditation Stillness

636 Riddles, Jokes, Witticisms, Humor

Refer to my Cloud Hands Blog Posts on the topic of Koans/Stories. 

Subject Index to 1,975 Zen Buddhist Koans

Zen Buddhist Koans: Indexes, Bibliography, Commentary, Information

The Daodejing by Laozi

Pulling Onions  Over 1,043 One-line Sayings, Quips, Maxims, Humor

Chinese Chan Buddhist and Taoist Stories and Koans

The Fireplace Records (Blog Version) By Michael P. Garofalo

Happy Birthday Karen Garofalo

Best wishes for good health, well being, and happiness in your 7th Decade of Life.  I love you!

Also, a joyful St. Patrick's Day.

A family dinner tonight: corn beef sandwiches, potato salad, cole slaw, and Irish Whiskey.

Yesterday, Saturday, we all went to McMenamins restaurant in Kalama, Washington.  The new restaurant and hotel are adjacent to the Columbia River in Kalama along the levy.  Here is a photo of the three generations of ladies in our family

Taiji Fan

There are many T'ai Chi Ch'uan exercise forms which make use of a fan.   Most are shorter forms, under 25 movements, but some, like the famous Tai Chi Kung Fu Fan Form have over 50 movements.  Most are done slowly and softly, but some include vigorous and fast movements.  The majority favor the Yang Style of Tai Chi Chuan.  

Tai Chi Fan: Bibliography, Links, Resources, Notes, Lore, Quotations. Research by Mike Garofalo.  I welcome any comments, suggestions, additions, or ideas regarding this webpage.

One of the most popular Tai Chi Fan forms was created by Professor Li Deyin (1938-).  It has 52 movements.  I includes slow and gentle movements in the first half of the form, then the second half is much more vigorous.  This Tai Chi Fan form is for athletic and intermediate Tai Chi students. 

Here are some instructional resources for learning the Tai Chi Kung Fu Fan Form.   

Tai Chi Kung Fu Fan. Routine 1, created by Grandmaster Li Deyin (1938-). Instructional DVD, 65 minutes, by Master Jesse Tsao. Tai Chi Healthways, San Diego, California. "The most popular Tai Chi Fan form ever practiced in China. The routine was created by Grandmaster Li Deyin, Jesse Tsao's teacher since 1978. There are 52 movements in the whole routine based on the characteristic Tai Chi posture with the fan's artistic and martial functions. Master Tsao presents demonstrations at the beginning and end. He teaches step-by-step in slow motion, in English. There are plenty of repetitions of movements in both front and back view. It is a good reference for home study, or a resource for instructor's teaching preparation." Cost: 35.00 US. Demonstration.

Tai Chi Kung Fu Fan Instructional DVD by Professor Li Deyin. Narration in English. "A fan routine, created by Professor Li, which combines the gracefulness, centrality and continuity of Taiji with the power, speed and fierceness of Wushu. It is designed as an addition to the exercises for health, and has received massive interest and support throughout the world. In this DVD, Professor Li provides in-depth teaching with Mrs. Fang Mishou performing detail demonstration." Vendor 1. Cost: $35.00 US. 

Tai Chi Kung Fu Fan, Form 1. List of 52 movement names, directions, instructions, and notes by Mike Garofalo.

Hobbies and Enjoyment

“Mike, an old proverb says idle hands are the devil’s work. While I don’t necessarily agree with that sentiment, I do believe that hobbies are crucial for everyone. Not only do hobbies give you a chance to focus on something besides work or school, but they also give you a way to decompress.

A lifelong lover of hobbies, I’m a quilter before anything else, but I have an appreciation for hobbies in all forms. Quilting has given me the outlet I need when it’s time to recharge, and I love that I can create works of art and useful gifts for friends and family.

Because I think hobbies are great for everyone, I’ve included some excellent resources that might interest your readers. I hope you’ll find them useful. Maybe you can share them on one of your webpages.

Why Kids Need Hobbies

The Benefits Of Having A Hobby When You're In Recovery

Find Your Passion: Making Room for Hobbies

How to Start Your Own Urban Garden

11 Healthy Hobbies for Seniors

10 Hobbies That Can Pay Off

If you already enjoy a hobby in your spare time, then you know where I’m coming from. If you don’t have a hobby, I’m hopeful these ideas can spark an interest! Of course, if this information isn’t helpful to you at all, please let me know, and I won’t contact you again.”

Thank you in advance,
Martha

Martha Geoffries
martha@quiltingjr.com


My own hobbies include: reading, gardening, writing, walking, Taijiquan, Yoga/Qigong, weightlifting, and sightseeing in the Pacific Northwest.

¿Es la edad un estado mental?

Is Age a Mental State? 
Yes and No! 

Keep striving for exuberance, action, and joy at any age. 

Bravo, Bravo, Senora.

Having Fun and Changing Behaviors

Today, when I took my morning walk, starting at 6 am, I skipped some, walked backwards some, and walked in a zigzag manner some.  Have some fun with what you do.

Walking:  Quotes, Poems, Lore, Information.  Compiled by Mike Garofalo.