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I just saw the below quote- recently sent by EnergyArts in re to the Dragon&Tiger ChiGong program- and while we often hear hypey (“but wait there’s more.. that’s not all”.. and often fluffed up in other info-marketing of the wonders of information avail)… I think many of the summary-concepts presented can be confused with this sort of material (whether less known, like Dragon&Tiger, or Enery Gates chigong, or something like TaiChiChuan.. to get direct-explicitly-NonWateredDown is something).
.. …………
“When I initially learned this set I had already spent 10 years training 24/7 in China just to get access to this level of information.
I decided to learn how to speak Chinese fluently because that was the only way to comprehend my teachers (very few could speak English, let alone teach complex subject material with it).
To meet the teacher required a formal introduction (no easy task!) to Zhang Jia Hua a Lineage master and accomplished practitioner of Dragon and Tiger Medical Qigong. Then I spent over two years working with her daily to learn and integrate this powerful qigong set.
We live in remarkable times…now for a small investment you can get this qigong system that is over 1,500 years old delivered to your computer no matter where you are in the world. ” —quoted, from Bruce F….
…….
again, that sentiment may be Wu So Hweih (apparently).. and yet.. Yo So Hweih? – – it has been on my mind for a while the impact- first of the “Video Tape” (VHS/Betamax.. and then DVDs– and now streaming-vid files)… being able to not only learn movements, and concepts…just like one could learn in a class, but be able to stop- rewind and play-again.. skip to the section you’re not sure of.. [getting the time to ask the teacher- “Can you do that again?” … let alone how often a class gives you access anyway.. but be able to play-over&over a clip and let it absorb past one’s subcon-fog…. without having to impose one getting a live person to repeat- over&over
[ and can one learn from a video, or even an audio-recording of sound only, like in a class? the issue is what is being learned live? -IF the class live is just lecturing-presentation to the group.. would it be different if to a camera? – if just audience watching, or audience “listening” to the words (which is most of most teaching)… ]
[There are other aspects that can be presented live.. but as some teachers have done, one could have ‘all’/most of the lectures recorded.. and just press play and have those watch/listen (or as in academic “read”)… then all/most of the live time is spent actually either demonstration/ direct contact/ custom Q&A.. (or the Taoist, and other meditation methods, use of “Silent Transmission” directly absorbed)…. but only consider that once the prerequisite fundamentals have been absorbed (and struggled through, trying out what is shown, test-this&that.. and ‘then’ getting fine-tunements..) ]
–this just came to mind, recently part of the OldStyleYangTaiChi form videos wasn’t clicking for me, and I’d watch a section, then go through it in my mind, and do the movement, a bit and realize, part didn’t mesh.. then “wash-rinse repeat”… I kept thinking I had it, and then kept not quite.. and was able to re-view the video each time… (without having to make a request, thus do it sooner- on my own- also without asking again (&again:) to see it, no-one would know… (except i write it here:)
anyway- in case that contributes to anyway.. (in the context of not just conveying, and preserving, these arts, -but the “doorways” that doing these arts open.. (what one can comes to understand (from the inside) is not what you think from outside [“If I only knew then what I know now…” etc as that ole-saying goes] -cheers
What is not often discussed is the disadvantages of learning in a class with an instructor.
And there is a wider context to consider. If everything is video, can the tradition survive, because the physical schools and teaching system keeps it alive.
And so on.
One important consideration is how good is the material.
Society is changing in many ways, the future is very uncertain.
I agree.
I feel interpersonal dynamics can interfere with learning, in this way I’m thankful that what Bruce teaches is offered in video format.
IMO
there is only one format:
YOUYou have to internalize whatever information you receive from whatever source.
You have to make it your own;
you have to feel it.
You really have to want it.It only takes one clue to generate internal understanding;
it doesn’t matter where it comes from.For example:
at Month 14 in Bruce’s online video format, Bruce reveals that he is demonstrating his “medium” version of the Traditional Yang Style Long Form; he’s cut out some of the standard repetitions!
In section 2 of the Long Form in the kick section he’s even left out a non-repeated move “Strike Opponent’s Ears with Fists.” Master Jou’s book clearly shows the picture drawing of Yangchengfu doing this Box Ears!
I don’t like feel slighted, Bruce has loaded the videoes with info on energy flows that you can’t find anywhere else.
Besides these days Bruce says he doesn’t really do much personal teaching,
that’s why he has groomed many other good teachers.In classes of 12 with a live instructor I’ve been ignored, told to not ask questions, banned for a year.
Even when I go one-on-one with that instructor I do only what she shows.
(I’m not criticizing her, I’m just using this as another example of how interpersonal factors operate in any format.)I also have studied from other instructors:
William C C Chen (live years ago, book, DVD)
Dr. Yang Jwing-Ming (books, DVDs, iPhone Apps)
Michael Gilman on the Internet
TT Liang’s book and audio singing
Michael Winn’s CDs on Qigong
Andrew Nugent-head’s YouTube on Daoyin
wierd book by Tchoung Ta-Tchen and Lauren’s Lee DVD
and countless other DVDs
Even David-Dorian Ross’ Great Courses offeringThey all offer way more than I’ll ever absorb.
But the stuff that I do absorb is MINE;
it’s MY tai chi.Tai Chi is profound.
Somehow it gets in your skin and marrow.
(Or you might conclude that I’m a rabid jerk about the Long Form.)I’ve never been concerned about “finding the right teacher.”
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