Notes for Switching in the Positive Circle video

http://practicalmethod.com/2014/06/switching-in-the-positive-circle-online-video-trailer/

In this video, Master Chen covered the 3 main axes in the body, and how we could switch among them without tossing in the positive circle, and the analogy of a lever with different pivots. We discussed about the shoulder last week at Shoulder Movements in Positive Circle, we will continue this week regarding switching with the lower half of the body. See you at 10 am ET on Saturday, April 11, 2020 at http://practicalmethod.com/2014/06/switching-in-the-positive-circle-online-video-trailer/.

Notes:

1:00 We have 3 vertical lines in our body. The one in the middle from top of head down is called central equilibrium, but that is not functional. The other two functional lines are from each of the shoulders down.

2:00 We need to learn to switch between the two functional axes by moving the pivot to those axes. When the power arm of a lever is short, it has a long reach and the action is fast, but you need more strength to move the lever. When the power arm is long, it has a short reach and the action is slow, but it takes less effort to move the lever. By learning the three major positions of the pivot on a lever, we can eventually put the pivot anywhere on the lever. Not moving means establishing the pivot on a lever. The vertical axis allows a horizontal rotation.

3:15 Master Chen demonstrated how to apply this concept into the positive circle. In the first half of the positive circle, we use the front shoulder-to-kua line as the axis. The longer lever arm is from the shoulder-to-kua line to the rear foot. in the 2nd half of the positive circle, we switch to use the back should-to-kua line as the axis. This switching is done without any body movement or tossing. Do not learn to fight too early, as it takes a long time to get the taiji actions in us.

4:16 If we can’t reach the opponent, we must use our feet to move ourselves closer to the opponent. Note how Master Chen moved himself forward. The dang and two knees must form a triangle like a coat hanger that is solid in its shape. All movements must come from the feet (from knee down). The top must not move, like the chassis of a car, and only the wheels spin to carry the chassis around. Therefore, no leaning, no reach, no identation at the kua or waist.

5:00 Here is another demonstration of the switching of the axes in positive circle.

5:45 Here is another demonstration of movement the entire structure forward. Note the separation between the bottom and top. When the feet move, the top stays erect and not moving. The top does not follow the movement of the bottom.

6:20 The theory of 1/3: When measured against the floor, front kua to middle of front foot is 1/3, front kua to rear kua is the second 1/3, and rear kua to the middle of rear foot is the last 1/3.

6:40 When Master Chen demonstrated pull the opponent, he switched from his right shoulder-to-kua axis to his left shoulder-to-kua axis. Note that his torso stayed inside a cylindrical enclosure with no tossing.

7;05 One of the things Master Chen has repeatedly said in many occasions that we needed to change our habits.

7:40 Master Chen used the analogy of typing a keyboard to show the concept of separation (he used to call it division of labour too). Each finger is designated to type only certain keys on a keyword, there is no crossing or jumping around. The same key is always pressed by the same finger. The phrase 各家自扫门前雪 just came to my mind. Every finger contributes to typing certain letters, a word, a sentence and then a paragraph will come along. The typing will then be efficient. In our body, if we want to increase the distance between the front hand and the rear foot, each body part in between will have its own function to contribute to that end goal.

8:23 Lastly, Master Chen demonstrated a switching exercise. Pressing down one heel caused the other heel to go up, and at all times, the dantian does not move at all. This resembled a light switch or a tidder-todder （seesaw）.