The Defense responds ...

LOL. As if I'm going to be hurt by that. Anyway, I only characterized the first generation as being worthless (not a word I used as it happens), and then qualified it in the last paragraph. And what does "worth" mean?

The fact remains that compared to what I was doing almost 20 years ago in Dan's classes, neither myself, my classes nor my students are up to that mark (and as for the "others", let's not even go there - I've seen and heard enough!). That doesn't mean anyone is "worthless", just that I have not succeeded in doing what I want, and "they", for the most part, don't really want to do what I want either. In fact, I feel kind of sorry for some because, were things different, some more "martial" students might actually have been able to get there. Maybe they still will, if that's what they want.

At the end of the day, my issue and that blog post relate to the public image of tai chi and the people who are attracted to tai chi classes, and thus the compromises I have to make to try (unsuccessfully) to pay the rent. The "older" students know what I'm about, so that's not a problem (even if they don't like me or disagree with what I think).

Some have complained about feeling targeted? Well, that's always been an issue with this blog. If the shoe fits, wear it! Otherwise, well, there is a long tradition in this school of misunderstanding. What can I say? Some people go to the source and ask directly. Others assume they are right in their erroneous interpretations. Don't mind-read; no you're not telepathic and English is not your first language. If you want to know, ask. If you're too afraid, well that says something in itself. If you think you know what you assume you understand of what I have written, then I have to tell you that your suppostions are likely misguided if not just plain wrong (to misquote a famous old man).

It seems that many readers did not understand what I was talking about.
Which is that "tai chi" is not "tai chi chuan".
The fighting has mostly gone out of it now except for a few gallant folks, mostly dispersed around Europe, not all students of Mr. Docherty. With the exponential rise in Chinese hegemony since their opening to the world and specifically the WTO, this is getting worse.
Basically, you're doing health exercises (tai chi, chi kung), gymnastics (wushu, many schools of 'kung fu') or fighting (sanda, shuai jiao, and san shou). In the latter two categories, some people mix it up. It would be nice if "our" vision (not necessarily that of the students in France) could prevail, but in all evidence it isn't and won't. That's why I'm stopping tai chi. But I am continuing Nei jia chuan. It's just that my bullshit tolerance level has been reached and surpassed, as has my budget and time constraints. But mostly I'm sick of the bullshit.

So the point of people continuing is that they will be doing tai chi and possibly a bit of tai chi chuan. Which is what they are already doing. My decision is purely selfish, a question of going back to the roots and doing what I want to do rather than what the "tai chi market" dictates. I will teach anyone who wants to learn from me, but it will be quite a different kettle of fish from what I do in paying public classes. It will involve lots of hard work out in the woods.

In a context where, after several years, people are still talking about "tai chi" and "kung fu" in mutually exclusive terms, and pronouncing "tui shou" as if to mean "in retirement", it is clear to me that pretty much everyone is in a mindset quite different to my own. I was hoping that might evolve, but it hasn't. I honestly don't think people want it to, and that most of the French wudang people, painting with broad brushstrokes, are quite happy to do "tai chi" (one even wrote "tai shi" the other day ... says a lot). I have to be true to my own interests, and besides, I'm basically putting in a lot of time and my own money to do something I don't really want to.

So, transitionally.
By aim is
a. to get people to understand as many hand applications as I can stuff down their throats. Preferably with some realism as regards distance, timing, technique, response and common sense.
b. to transmit some essentials about jiben Kung and essential martial arts training. At least interested parties should be able to train by themselves.
These two in tandem, so that people may at least have an idea of what is possible and at best be able to train themselves up for full contact competition. Extensive training in nei kung, jiben kung and partnered applications is how people may get to fight.

For any pygmy detractors who may question my abilities in this regard, I would simply say "fuck off", or "try me", were I to be impolite. In a more gentlemanly fashion, I would point out that in London I spent 2 years not only training with Dan, but running an exchange group with other martial artists where we mixed it up and learned each other's techniques; and that I have continued to do so in France, as those who came to the sessions with Marc and his guys in Les Ulis know. This after having done a little judo and lot of athletics, and yoga, amongst other sports, as an adolescent and young adult. So yes I know what I'm talking about. But I'd prefer to be impolite and teach you with my fist and tibia; that also goes for a number of tai chi "masters" I've met. Still, the world is unjust and we don't always get our dues.

For those only interested in tai chi, I will of course be continuing to work on forms, chi kung, daoyin, stretching, breathing and all that stuff (none of which I ever did with Dan, except some chi kung in private sessions).

As for the French fêtes and competitions. Again, not for me, but I encourage people to participate and will help train them for it. If anyone wants to compete in pushing hands and I'm in the country, I'll even be there in the role of coach. As Godfrey prodded me into admitting (grudgingly), I am responsible for "my" students (though I've already posted on this).
Well, if someone is that committed, then I am with him/her. That's good enough.

Tai Chi - what a fuck up

I’m stopping Tai Chi, teaching it and (mostly) practicing it. I (probably we, also) thought we could put the Chuan back in to "Tai Chi Chuan", but time and experience seems to be proving us wrong. Tai Chi is stealing the day.

Tai Chi is assimilated in the public mind, worldwide, with health exercises and spiritual balance, Taoism and holistic living. It’s for the old, the sick, and the spiritual seekers. Fuck that for a game of soldiers.

Training with Dan in the late 80s - early 90s was a revelation for me. This was nothing to do with "Tai Chi"; it was working, efficient, Chinese internal martial arts with an edge. You hurt, you sweated it, you worked out, and you might just get injured. There was Chuan ("fist"), oh yes. I hoped that I could carry the flag here in France and do something similar, that I could create generations of students who could do the same. I have evidently failed in this. I guess you have to be as dedicated as Dan, as big as him ... and the rest, to do something like that.

Anyway I’ve spent 7 years of time and several thousand euros trying to spread the word and I’m sick of it. I’m going to follow Ed in elegant retirement, doing my own thing, and training with like-minded people. I’m leaving the public arena, the bad smell has at last gotten me too sick to stay.

The first generation turned out to be a bunch of wasters, junkies and hippies, some of whom also showed themselves to be lying, manipulative hypocrites as well. None were athletes. Some of their students more recently showed some promise, but as far as I know they all left. I don’t need to wonder why. If you sell something that you don’t deliver the punter gets pissed, however good your parties and sexual favors may be.

The second generation has been a mixed bunch. There have been and still are some who, if not athletes, at least want to practice Tai Chi Chuan and *not* Tai Chi. But they have always been a tiny minority. Last year there were 33 people registered in the Association. Along with tourists, other visitors and outsiders, I probably saw around 70 people turn up to class. Less than 10 were interested in martial arts.

Apart from the Federation, who I always thought were a bad deal anyway, the less-than-casual observer may note the growing presence of mainland Chinese in the little world of European Tai Chi, as well as Tai Chi Chuan. Although some of these people are actually quite good, the vast majority are simply propagating more of the same – but often with more variances on the silk pyjamas. It’s all bullshit.

The *only* people I’ve met and worked with who’ve been worth a dime are westerners and Japanese, though I should say I’ve not met everyone and I know there are good people in Taiwan. Last night I saw some of another class given by another well-dressed Chinese who is “extremely good”. More of the same. No partner work, lots of standing around. Even Anya is more active than that (ah yes but she’s a westerner).

So, I’m out. Ever optimistic (oh yes, I am!), I have hopes that the various camps may reconcile in order for the best to emerge, so that my students and everyone else’s can have access to Godfrey, Dan and maybe even Torben, via their teachers (not all of whom are now so bad). I’d like to think it can happen, but it’s not really up to me. You can bring a horse to water but you can’t make him drink! We shall see …