Another Video of the Four Winds Tai Chi Short Form

Short Form deomosntrated at the Yoshukai Dojo.

We will perform this form together for World Tai Chi Day next April 24.

The Short Form is the first one I teach. It is composed of 10 - actually 5 very simple moves, performed first on the left, then on the right. These moves are basic defenses against simple attacks.
High Block against high punch, Outside block against straight punch, Knife block against hook punch, Low block against kick, and Inside block against hook punch.

The Short Form is the entry way into the Four Winds Style. It teaches the pattern common to the 3 other more advanced forms we practice. The main emphasis is on Breathing.

Video of the Four Winds Tai Chi Short Form

The Short Form is performed as a group at the Yoshukai Dojo.

This is the form we will perform together for World Tai Chi Day next April 24.

The Short Form is the first one I teach. It is composed of 10 - actually 5 very simple moves, performed first on the left, then on the right. These moves are basic defenses against simple attacks.

The Short Form is the entry way into the Four Winds Style. It teaches the pattern common to the net 3 forms we practice. Its main emphasis is on Breathing.

More video will follow...

Wide is the Heaven of Boundless Samadhi,

Wide is the heaven of Boundless Samadhi, Radiant the full moon of the fourfold wisdom.

These two lines taken from The song of Meditation by Hakuin, express enlightenment and the perfection of the fourfold vision.

The word "Samadhi" is Sanskrit, and can be translated as "Right thought" or also "Evenness".
The meaning being a state where the mond is one and undisturbed, with no distracting thought.

The Samadhi of Repose we reach through sitting in Zazen.

Then we also have the Samadhi of Action.


There are times when you practice a Kata - a FORM - and reach that state where your mind and body are totally immersed. I do not perform the form, the form flows through me At that time, there is no me, there is no form, IT is just happening.

What is this IT that is happening ? The only thing I can say is that as soon as I am conscious and aware of IT, IT is gone. There is subject and object again, and IT is lost.

How do we get there ? Practice, practice, practice.

Once the form is known through your body and does not require any thought, it begins flowing through you. This is when your mind start playing tricks on you. You perform the form alright, but thoughts arise about anything, bills to pay, things to say...

Here are here a few tricks : Focus on your breath - Kokyu. In the case of the Short Tai Chi Form, which was designed with emphasis on breathing, make sure you breath In when your feet come together, Out when they get apart.


And focus on your feet. Put your weight on the front of the feet. Ideally the weight should be over K1, the 1st acupuncture point of the Kidney meridian, located on the sole of the foot, approximately one inch behind the joint between the 2nd and 3rd toes. You need to walk with little weight on your heels, as if one could slide a sheet of cigarette paper between the floor and your heel. Actually, your heel can be on the floor, but very little pressure should be on your heel bone. In order to do so, you will have to slightly bend your knees, and grab the floor with your toes.

It sounds easy to do, it is not. Just try it ! It is worth it. When it happens, you will always remember.