Andrea Falk Seminars, January 2010
Fundamentals of Chinese Spear (Xingyi Qiang)
The seminar began with instruction on the proper setup of a spear. The spear shaft is a waxwood tree that is harvested once it has grown to the proper height. This is different from a wood dowel, in that the shaft is a tree. This gives it a flexibility and vitality that distinguishes it from a block of wood. How to select a stick suitable for spear work was taught as were techniques were taught to maintain the stick’s integrity, while preparing it for use as a spear.
Three different spear handling drills were taught. These are to train sliding of the hands into the proper positions for spear work while letting the spear move naturally rather than forcing the movement onto the weapon.
Five fundamental spear techniques were taught:
- Beng – outside trap, inside trap, level stab. This was taught both stationary and with stepping (cross step with outside trap). Andrea emphasized that this technique is the core technique for spear.
- Pao – inner coil, outer coil, lift, slash. Footwork that was taught: cross step with inner coil, left step out with outer coil and right forward step with slash.
- Zuan – upwards block, downward drill, cover, upward drill. Footwork: Left step with block, right step with drill, left step with cover, right step with drill.
- Pi – upwards hook, chop. Footwork: left step with hook, right step with chop.
- Heng – encircle, horizontal snap. Heng alternates, counter-clockwise encircle, leftwards snap, clockwise encircle, rightwards snap.
These techniques are described in detail in Andrea Falk's translation, "Di Guoyong on Xingyiquan, vol. 3".
This book is part of a three volume translation on Xingyi. Volume three covers weapons (sabre, sword, staff and spear) as well as partner rountines. Photos from the seminar are posted on the group site, www.thelantern.tumblr.com
Magui Bagua: Cultivating Deep Skill
Sunday was devoted to Magui Bagua. Magui style is unusual in that it emphasizes full body power, using Bear stance circle walking as its foundation. Bear stance trains rooting into the ground and strengthens back and wrists by opening the channels in these areas. Bear circle walking adds to this the use of the core of the body (dan tian) and the lower leg to grasp the ground with each step. This practice builds qi and blood in the body that strengthens the muscles, tendons and bones and can power any technique.
The following points are important:
- The body should sink into the waist, shaping the torso like a pot;
- Shoulders should pull down, like a lid for the pot, from the centre of the joint;
- While stepping, a downward force should be maintained and the foot should be kept parallel to the ground, like rolling a stick underfoot;
- The hand should be kept in the Ox-tongue Palm shape - broad and open, curved both from palm to fingers and from thumb to pinky;
- Both feet should sink into the ground, like controlling the head & tail of a snake;
- The back of the neck is pushed towards the outside of the circle to keep the chest from collapsing.
Andrea emphasized that circle walking was essential to learning the style. This practice is what builds internal power within the body’s core and trains the body to make use of full body power with all techniques.
Intermediate students were taught two application drills:
- T-stepping drill: Tanzhang (reach) and Chuanzhang (spear) in three directions (forming a 'T')
- Fanbeichui drill: Yazhang (press), Qiezhang (cut), Fanbeichui (backfist)
The first 6 Dragon Changes were also taught to intermediate students:
- Single Palm Change
- Double Palm Change
- Following Palm Chang
- Triple Chuanzhang Change
- Dodging Body Change
- Grinding Body Change
Descriptions of these changes (plus a great deal more) can be found online: www.maguibagua.net
These weekend seminars are part of Andrea Falk's on-going instruction of internal martial arts in Guelph. Her next visit will be either May 29/30, 2010 or June 12/13. Details are yet to be determined.
February 6th, 2010
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