Qian Zhaohong's seminars
Rick asked for a review of the seminars I've gone to for the past three weekends
Qian Zhaohong is a master from Shanghai and has been practicing for 50 years. At the age of 8 he began study of Xin yi liu he quan, or what some call Honan style xingyiquan.
He has learned many different systems including taiji, tongbeiquan, bagua, liuhe ba fa and others.
This series of seminars was an introduction to xinyiliuhe and chan ssuu taijia, a taiji style that he has created.
Master Qian gave very detailed instructions on two drills from the xinyiluihe system that we practiced every day of the seminars. Simple actions that he corrected, gave very precise details to and demonstrated with numerous applications. I will continue to practice these for a long time. I was very impressed with their versatility.
Master Qian spent a great deal of time on things that are not usually talked in American classes such as stretching the tendons and squeezing the bones, opposite force in posture, proper alignment for enabling the small heavenly circulation to be done properly and more.
The first seminar I went to (and of course the one I did not bring my camcorder to) was when he was a bit rough. He was showing applications, slapping and throwing peoples around, and demonstrating some power. I would have liked to see more of it but I think some of them might have complained. One bid American taiji guy kept on trying and wanted to do go in at Qian faster and harder. Qian is at a level that his body reacts on its own and I had his friends stop the big guy or he would have gotten injured. Qian's nicknam in China is "Buzzsaw". That's enough explanation.
Master Qian was nice enough to give me some special attention because I drove so far to attend. A very nice, but no-nonsense guy. If I lived closer I would be driving back again every weekend until he leaves in August for private lessons. I feel that I got some very good stuff from Qian. The xinyiliuhe drills have helped me loosen my shoulders a lot. A problem that's been plaguing me for years.
On a scale of 1 to 10 I would give the seminars and 8. Mostly because he only speaks Mandarin and it was hard for me to follow sometimes. Luckilly I knew several of the guys there from my taiji days in Virginia and Maryland and they were all to happy to assist.
Of note, it was interesting to learn that You Peng Xi's nephew is teaching yiquan in northern Virginia. Also, the seminar promoter was a student of the Yao brothers 20 years ago. He learned the long pole shaking from them. He is training privately with Qian every day until August and Qian wants him to give up zhan zhuang and the pole shaking. He claims that pole shaking tightens the abdomen and one of Qian's insistings is that the dan tien area always be kept soft. I thought that might interest some of you.
0. jmedurga on 7/21/2004 10:05:20 AM [quote]
