From: twcaps@tennyson.lbl.gov (Terry Chan)
Newsgroups: rec.martial-arts
Subject: All T'ai Chi Teachers are Bogus?
Date: 26 Aug 1992 23:20:58 GMT
Organization: Department of Redundancy Department
Reply-To: TWChan@lbl.gov (Terry Chan)
NNTP-Posting-Host: 128.3.12.117

robinson@cogsci.Berkeley.EDU (Michael Robinson) writes:

  +An instructor that teaches pushing-hands is better than one that only teaches
  +the solo form, and a teacher that teaches "da lu" and the fighting form is
  +better than one that only teaches pushing-hands.
  +
  +>A teacher who learned in China is most likely better than one who didn't.

To which stnahc@gpu.utcs.utoronto.ca (L. Chan) writes:

  +After years of internal martial art training, I can be quite sure to tell
  +you that if the person who teaches Tai Chi emphasize that he/she learns
  +that from China, then,

Could be, although Michael didn't say that you should find a teacher
who emphasizes that s/he learned in China.  He also clarified after a
comment from George Hawryash (hope I spelled it right) that this is 
not all there is to it.
  
+   1. They dont know the original usage of Tai Chi since the true masters
+          of this art if not died already then they are at their age of 
+          85 or more; these masters have promised their teacher(s) that 
+          they will not teach any one else except their children. Thus,
+          what ever they teach to the students are modified
+          "soft" forms.

Ah, so the only legitimate teachers are the offspring of old, true
masters of the art, but even if you find them, it's useless.  Well,
that's a drag.

+   2. They may be able to defense effectively at push-hand. BUT, just 
+          ask them to "throw" you away during a push-hand, then they
+          will back off. (Throw - a technique in Tai Chi)

Who are the "they" here?  The offspring of old masters?  The fakers
who teach T'ai Chi now?  And the times I thought I was thrown I wasn't
really thrown.  Oh well.

+   3. Their forms are probably wrong too. If they know the forms correctly
+          they would know the usage (point # 1) already.

I assume that you're not talking of the offspring of old Masters here,
or perhaps you're referring to the "modified soft forms" which are
somehow deliberately messed up?  This point seems kind of obvious
if people with the real [tm] learning only promised to teach their
children.

I am curious though, after your years of internal training, how you
came to understand the true state of things?  Are you then, the
grandchild/great grandchild (whatever) of some famous old master?
Or do you persevere in your training despite knowing that you'll
never get the true T'ai Chi?  Or are you saying that teachers from 
mainland China are won't teach the real thing but those from Hong
Kong, US, etc., will?  Could you clarify a little more?

+   I know that the sad truth that I just written will anger a lot of 
+       people who think they have learned the "real" thing. So, if you
+       don't believe me, just forget about what I have said.

Terry "I know I'm bummed out" Chan
--
Internet:  TWChan@lbl.gov	       Next to being witty yourself, the best 
Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory               thing is to quote another's wit.
Berkeley, California  USA  94720                        -- er, I forget who    
Newsgroups: rec.martial-arts