Yuen Biao

Yes him and Andy Mack. Mizner obviously was better... My friend and I were working on a particular pattern and energy of a pushing hands drill and Mack comes over to tweak it so we spend a little time working on it. A few minutes later he's bouncing up and down like a banshee saying things like: "Yeah you got it right there". I was doing the same techniques with my friend, as soon as he added the bouncing response we were even more dubious. It's cultish. They do have some skills definitely and I do acknowledge that. The criticism from Mizner about EVERYTHING else was hardly sage and the bouncing was weird too!

Parlour tricks for the uninitiated...video below proves it is possible to teach them to anyone. I went to a weekend course with him several years ago as a friend was studying the online content and visiting Prague regularly. Mizner spent a lot of his time telling us all how his system was the best and everything out there was fake and worthless; perhaps he was having a bad day or something but his attitude stank to me and he was far from humble. This video is good, shows you what is possible if you know basic structure, lines of force etc...

I'm going to Wudang in September for a month of training with Master Chen Lisheng. http://www.wudangwuji.com/ The day of training is usually about ten hours and there is much emphasis on internal work, plenty of standing, sitting practice. Master Chen teaches Bagua, Taiji, Five Animals Qigong and many other aspects. On Wudang there are some more performance-esque schools although I am personally not interested in them.

Thank you all for the insightful replies. My apologies for not explaining it; I'll be teaching Yang style Taijiquan, Daoyin Yangsheng Gong then hopefully in the future some Wudang style Taiji Quan and Five Animals Qigong. I agree in regard to the structure as i will be teaching beginners, so I need to try and be methodical. It is a worry that I'll try to teach too much too soon although I understand the necessity of the core foundations and building upon them over time. My teacher has often told me you learn so much through teaching and I firmly understand the philosophy behind the sentiment in so much that we continually learn about ourselves and those around us. And yes fun, keep things fresh and fluid I know this is important. But how does one do this, is it a reflection of one's personality? I'm not teaching for money, i want to share my enjoyment in practice with others and ultimately help people deal with stress, ailments etc.

Hello all, Just a note to ask some advice really...i am about to start teaching in the next month and would like to ask what you think are the qualities necessary to become a good teacher. I think i have the knowledge but I wonder about the teaching skills in order for those to enjoy learning the arts. People have told me recently that this is a natural vocation for me so maybe i have nothing to worry about. I know this is quite a general topic but any ideas would be gladly appreciated. Thanks

Does a question always need an answer?

I have started weight-training more over the last years, mostly varying sizes of kettlebells. My best advise is to stretch out more before and after practise; the tendons themselves are much more important than any specific muscle and stronger too. The sinew stretching exercises of some Qigong schools are highly recommended.

I think in order to train oneself you can have music on while you meditate; if you look at many Taoist and Buddhist temples there will be music playing and it can be quite noisy to Western ears. The training is in being able to relax with whatever situation or atmosphere present and to simply be relaxed. I have listened to Taoist music when practising Zhan Zhuang and at other times I will stand in complete silence; giving both a try is fine as long as there is some benefit.

I think we all suffer from this predicament. The reasons are that we complicate our lives so much on pointless things and indeed there are too many distractions; to be dedicated and strict with oneself is the only way to proceed. Not easy though but best of luck to you and others who have posted or read this thread.

Professor Zhang Guangde is one of China's top teachers in Qigong so I personally would recommend the Daoyin Yangsheng Gong (I know a little of that myself).

Try something different a routine in itself can be the problem with situations like this.

Wow!

Everything outside our body in the cosmos is also replicated inside each and every one us. This is in part my understanding of the micro-cosmic orbit.

Ip Man 3 will be out soon and will star Donnie Yen. Ip Man: The Legend is Born and Ip Man: The Final Fight are unrelated to Ip Man 1, 2 and 3.

I agree and this is due to subtleness of Taijiquan; it may look correct to uneducated eyes but a teacher will notice even the slightest imperfection.