Study Of "Split" in Tai Chi Chuan

Well, it was time for Larry, Moe and Curley to do another video, so here's the latest installment of Drinking Dojo Productions.
This is a rough draft of a study of "Split" in Tai Chi Chuan. I think we'll use this as a prototype for a better scripted video at a future date. There were a lot of techniques to think about, and of course the minute the camera went off I remembered several other prominent techniques such as 'White Crane Spreads Wings" and "High Pat On Horse".
The first technique, Single Whip, is the most recognizable of common Tai Chi Chuan postures. The second technique shown, the forearm smash is out of the 88-movement two-person San Shou fighting form. It is probably the most devestating technique in the Yang style, and is also seen in a version of Irimi-nage in Aikido.
One thing that is very clear is that some versions of "Split" have a strong element of "Peng", or outward expanding energy. Others, like locking the elbow in "Raise Hands" have a strong element of "Ji", or squeeze/press. None-the-less, they are still representitive of "Split" - splitting the opponents energy and body in two different directions.
We'll dust this rough draft off and attempt a tighter and more complete version in the near future...

Oral Transmission Of The Theory Of Life And Death Acupoints

From Douglas Wile; "Lost Tai-Chi Classics From The Late Ch'ing Dynasty", page 85 "#37 of "Yang Family Forty Chapters":

"There are life and death acupoints, but to learn them requires oral transmissions. Why is this? One, because of the difficulty; two, because it relates to life and death; and three, because it depends on the charity of the individual. First, one must not teach those who are not loyal and filal; second, one must not teach those who do not have a good background; third, one must not teach those with evil intentions; fourth, one must not teach those who are careless and crude; fifth, one must not teach those who have no consideration for others; sixth, one must not teach those who are outwardly polite but not compassionate; seventh, one must not teach those who are not reliable; eighth, one must not teach those who are quick to learn and quick to forget. It is important to know the eight disqualifications; as for outright criminals, they need not even be mentioned. Those who do qualify may be given the secret transmissions orally. You may teach to those who are loyal and filial, emotionally stable, faithful to the teaching, respectful to the teaching, and always consistant. Given these five qualities, if the student is truely consistant from the beginning to end and never wavers, then you may transmit every aspect of the art. From generation to generation, this is the way of the transmission. Alas, is it not a pity that there are still criminals in the martial arts?"