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.