From: doug@eng.umd.edu (Douglas N. Cohen)
Subject: Re: T'ai chi advice sought
Date: Thu, 27 Aug 92 14:05:10 GMT
Organization: HAH!  we don't need no stinkin' organization!
Summary: 	-=-=-< major correction >-=-=-
Followup-To: 	pick a name at random, confuse the hell out of them!
Keywords: 	-=-=-< you are wrong! >-=-=-

In article <BtLzI2.BBF@gpu.utcs.utoronto.ca> stnahc@gpu.utcs.utoronto.ca (L. Chan) writes:

>In article <17b7j1INNfnd@agate.berkeley.edu> robinson@cogsci.Berkeley.EDU (Michael Robinson) writes:
>>In article <1992Aug23.163911.2495@fy.chalmers.se> f89md@fy.chalmers.se (Markus Dernevik) writes:
>>>Also I would like some tips on picking a teacher that doesn't neglect the 
>>>martial aspect.
>>
>>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.
>>
>
>                          ^^^^^
>
> 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,
>
>  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.
>
>  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)
>
>  3. Their forms are probably wrong too. If they know the forms correctly
>         they would know the usage (point # 1) already.
>
>  4. Yes, they definitely aware that Tai Chi is a kind of martial art.
>
>  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.
>
>>
>>-- 
>>  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>  Michael Robinson                          UUCP:   ucbvax!cogsci!robinson
>>                                        INTERNET: robinson@cogsci.berkeley.edu
>
>
>-- 
>+---------------------------------------------------------------+
>| Lawrence Chan                     stnahc@gpu.utcs.utoronto.ca |
>+---------------------------------------------------------------+

	you are absolutely wrong.  not only is this not the case here, it
is not the case in china, either!  why are you under this impression?  this
is an utter fabrication or a total misconception on your part, or you have
had some limited but bad experience(s) with this.  in any case, you are 
absolutely incorrect!
	another opinion, worth what you paid for it!
	and, as always, i am/at:

	     doug:  <doug@eng.umd.edu> : <doug@lpf.umd.edu>

	-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-< a ghost in the machine >-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

	"presidential elections are planned distractions
	 to divert attention from the actions behind the scenes....
	 like a game of chess when the house is a mess, or
	 a petty money squabble when your marriage is in trouble,
	 or a football game when there's rioting in the street!

	 it's just another movie.....  another song and dance.....
	 another poor sucker who never had a chance!
	 it's just another captain goin' down with his ship.....
	 it's just another jerk, taking pride in his work!

				       greetings from timbuck three!