Nonprofit Organization Volume 14 Issue 1 April 2011

The Universal Post GUANG PING YANG T’AI CHI ASSOCIATION

WHAT’S INSIDE

From the President 1

Yi Gun Gin (Cont.) 2-3

Chin Na—10 Point Locking Drill 4-5

2nd Annual ICMAC “Kick Off” Tournament 6-7

Yiquan Standing Postures 8

Calendar of Events 10

Guang Ping Yang Tai Chi Application 9

FROM THE PRESIDENT

"When spring comes the grass grows by itself." (Tao Te Ching) As the days grow longer and the temperatures become milder we can see that proof of spring is upon us! Wood represents spring in the five element theory, and the tiger represents wood--which symbolizes en-ergy. The tiger form in Hsing Yi is useful to help overcome the adverse mental states of anxiety or hostility which are

believed to result from metabolic imbalances caused by liver dysfunction. Practicing the tiger is recommended for healing and detoxifying the liver, soothing inflamed nerves, as well as balancing gallbladder function and detoxifying brain cells. The tiger demonstrates its power in its ability to capture its prey by leaping over it and grabbing it. The tiger form is an imitation of a leaping movement so it's also fun to do as you take on the spirit of tiger!

It's also that time of year when we announce the location for our annual conference. It is with great pleasure that I announce this year's conference will be held in Lake Tahoe, CA at the Resort at Squaw Creek. Don't miss the opportunity to attend outstanding workshops with the beauty of the northern California landscape as a back-drop. As those who attended last year's conference know, all of us on the Board of Directors will do our very best to bring in the world's best presenters to show-case exciting, fun, and informative workshops covering all aspects of the internal arts. Don't miss this opportu-nity to attend this year's conference and take advantage of Squaw Creek's myriad fine amenities. Bring your family and friends! More details to follow.

Sincerely, Randy Elia President, GPYTCA

2 0 1 1 Guang Ping Yang

Tai Chi Association Conference October 28 to 30

The Resort at Squaw Creek Lake Tahoe, CA www.squawcreek.com

Conference costs: Members/Non-members Registration by June 30th: $300/$350 Registration by August 30th: $330/$380 Registration up until the conference: $365/$415* One-day registration: $165/195* Guest meal only: $75* per dinner

Room rates: If reserved 30 days before the conference, $99/night +tax.

*In order to be counted for meals, registration must happen one week before the conference.

Presenters & Workshop info coming soon!!!

Page 2 The Universal Post / April 2011

YI GUN GIN (CONT. FROM DECEMBER NEWSLETTER)

Yi Gun Gin By Master Randy Elia

Yi Gun Gin, which means “classical tendon exchange,” is a rarely known system of exercise kept by the Shaolin priests for generations. It is not an exaggeration to say that the reputation in the martial arts earned by the Shaolin Temple is mainly attributed to this simple and easy-to-learn system. It is exactly this secret exercise that made the Shaolin priests almost indestructible. This exercise strengthens the en-tire body, inside and out, physically as well as mentally, by developing the internal power of the body, called Chi. As a result, the practitioners seem to substitute their old bodies with whole new sets of ten-dons, muscles, and bones that are much stronger than before. Yi Gun Gin can be practiced by anyone of any age in any physical condition. No equipment of any sort is required. It requires space only big enough for a person to stand, and can be performed at any time of the day.

Posture 4: Assume a natural standing position with feet close together. Form a fist with each hand with the thumbs bent inside the fingers. Lift arms to shoulder height, parallel to the floor, fac-ing the palms of fists toward each other. While inhaling, squeeze the fingers tight and push both fists forward with the greatest possible force. While exhaling, relax both arms and fists remain-ing in the same position. Repeat up to 49 times.

Posture 5: With feet close together, stand straight with both heels slightly off the ground. Form a fist with each hand, and lift arms straight up over head with palms of fists facing each other. While inhaling, squeeze fists tightly, and as though pulling yourself up on an imaginary bar, bend el-bows slightly and slowly lift the heels off the floor as far as possible. While exhaling, relax the fists and return to the original po-sition. Repeat up to 49 times.

(Continued on page 3)

Page 3 The Universal Post / April 2011

YI GUN GIN

(Continued

Kids Shaolin: Dean Bates: Yellow Belt Lorenzo Cafe: Orange Belt Carlos Elters: Orange Belt Avi Weiss: Orange Belt Seth Yeh: Orange Belt Geet Shukla: Green Belt

Congratulations to students of Peter Kwoks Kung Fu Academy on their hard-earned and well-deserved promotions. (Testing was 1/22/11) Master Randy Elia

Adults Shaolin: Eric Hansen: Gray Belt Joseph Montana: Gray Belt/Black Stripe Pamela Sutch: Black Belt

Posture 6: With feet apart, parallel to shoulder width, toes pointing straight ahead, support body weight evenly on both feet. Form a fist with each hand, raising arms so that fists are close to ears with palms of fists facing downward. Elbows are extended to the side at the shoulders. While inhaling, squeeze both fists tight, and at the same time, strongly pull the fists down and push the upper arms up but without actual physical movement. While exhaling, relax, keeping arms in the same po-sition. Repeat up to 49 times.

Page 4 The Universal Post / April 2011

CHIN NA - 10 POINT LOCKING DRILL

#1a Technique #1 Sifu Tom (Right) grabs partner’s (Tom Dolcelli) three (3) fingers, and rotates them back. Do not push toward partner, just rotate.

#1b

10 Point Locking Drill By Sifu Tom Carney

The 10 point locking drill is an exercise to develop your Chin Na skills. I found over the many years of teaching Chin Na to students that they often would forget individual techniques when I demonstrated them, and had difficulty grasping and applying those techniques into real application in a fight or self defense situations. There are many techniques in Chin Na—this drill uses some of the more common ones.

This drill should be performed slowly similar to Tai Chi, and only about half way to full control. Each technique can be taken separately and practiced to completion to see it’s full effect, but NOT during the drill. Keep in mind you are not trying to force the person down, or trying to get pain compliance. The ex-ercise teaches you the “yin and yang” of common Chin Na techniques. One flows into the other when there is resistance met. With practice, you will develop sensitivity to your partner, and a better understand-ing on how to respond to somebody’s resistance. Chin Na is not about “out muscling” your opponent, but more like a dance where you just follow what your opponent wishes to present to you. Each technique can be practiced separately and to completion, bringing the partner to the ground so you get the feeling and un-derstanding of it’s full application.

There are 10 individual techniques, a transition (#1 and #2 for the other side are different) and then #3 through #10 are repeated by your partner. Numbers 1 to 5 are presented below, and the rest will be printed in future newsletter, along with additional information. It’s a great way to learn Chin Na. Have Fun!

#2a Technique #2 As resistance is met, Sifu Tom rolls the hand down. Still applying pressure to the fingers but now ro-tating in a different di-rection (see diagram). Make sure to hold the elbow for control.

#2b

Page 5 The Universal Post / April 2011

CHIN NA - 10 POINT LOCKING DRILL (CONT.)

#3a Technique #3 As resistance is met, Sifu Tom proceeds in to a common wrist lock. (Note: at all times throughout the drill you will never completely let go of you partner. One hand will always maintain contact.)

#3b

Technique #5 When partner tries to bend his arm, Tom slides his left arm over as he steps in front and secures his left hand to his own right wrist (#5b). This creates an “arm-bar.” (Note: Arm-bars are very effective when done prop-erly. The proper angle is

similar to someone losing in an arm wrestling match.)

#4a

#4b

#4c

View from other side View from other side

Technique #4 When Tom feels a little resistance, he grabs the wrist of his partner with his right thumb facing down, lifts the elbow high over the head, and goes into an arm-lock. An arm-lock is most effective if pressure is placed about an inch above the elbow joint. (Note: in picture #4a you can transition to Technique #12 which will be printed at a future date)

#5a #5c

#5b Move & Turn

Page 6 The Universal Post / April 2011

2ND ANNUAL ICMAC “KICK OFF” TOURNAMENT

2nd Annual ICMAC “Kick Off” Tournament by Jo Presbury-Smith

On January 21, 2011, promoter Nick Scrima returned to San Diego with another Interna-tional Chinese Martial Arts Championship. GPYTCA members JoAnna Schoon and Valarie Prince Gabel graciously returned to join others in judging this event. This year Guang Ping Yang entrants were included with other forms to com-pete in the “Taiji and Other Internal” style category. Two local Vista, CA, Guang Ping Yang students of mine, Mary Severhill and Souraphonh “Phonh” Seng-vilay, were among those entrants. Mary received a Sil-ver medal in Advanced Women’s Taiji and Other Inter-nal, and Phonh received a Silver medal in Taiji Push Hands Fixed Step Men (18 & over) 160-180 lbs. Fol-lowing is a short interview with them both on their tour-nament experience. Q) Is this your first tournament and what prompted you to compete?

Mary: This was my first tournament. I attended last year to support fellow students and also to see what a tournament was like. I decided I would like to compete this year for three reasons: 1. We were so happy last year that Guang Ping Yang

style was included in a category all its own, and I wanted to see that continue as Guang Ping Yang, al-though relatively less known than other forms, is quite beautiful and very effective in the cultivation of Qi. In other words, to honor Great Grand Master Kuo Lien Ying, Grand Master Yun Chung Chiang, and Grand Master Henry Look for unselfishly sharing their skills with us here in the West for most of their lives. If a style does not have enough competitors it will be dropped as a recognized category of its own. This is exactly what happened in 2011.

2. I wanted to improve my form, and could think of no better way than to “compete” with myself and see how well I could put into practice the 19 principles Master Chiang and my teacher Jo Presbury-Smith have taught us.

3. I wanted to improve my focus and intent on what I was doing, and in doing this, thought that I could bet-ter face my fear of performing in front of an audience.

Phonh: This was my second tai chi tournament. I’ve competed in a couple of the International Kung-Fu tourna-ments in the 1990s, but it is my first push-hands competi-tion. A year ago, when I competed in the Guang Ping Style, there was another competitor who competed as Guang Ping Yang but I could not recognize the form at all. I knew it was some Yang form. If we weren’t there to compete, who’s to say that he didn’t do GPYTCA form? I feel there is a lot of tai chi out there and some of the people may not be familiar with or have even seen our form. I think we should go out there and introduce our-selves to each other. Q) How did you prepare, and for how long?

Mary: To prepare I practiced a 3 ½-minute form of movements that I enjoyed and thought illustrated not only diversity, but also illustrated some of the strengths that I had developed the most. I read and re-read the 19 Princi-ples and tried to put them in into practice with each move. I did this for months, practicing when I could, on an aver-age of 3-4 times per week.

Phonh: Well, that is the bad thing. I believe that I did not prepare myself enough for the 3 ½-minute form. I guess I was feeling too confident in myself. (Jo’s note: Phonh received a Gold medal last year in the Guang Ping Yang style competition.) Q) Would you share a little of what you experienced during that 3 ½-minute form?

Mary: As I executed the form I tried to relax and focus on the movements, but did struggle to retain that focus, and to keep coming back to it. I did have an insight into the time constraints of this competition and the many points that would be lost if I went overtime. In the back of my head I was reminding myself not to go over in time. It

(Continued on page 7)

Page 7 The Universal Post / April 2011

ICMAC “KICK OFF” TOURNAMENT (CONT.)

Donations

General Fund: Ira Esformes Steve J. Karpen Jeannie Miller Joanna Schoon Marilyn Mathews Scholarship Fund: Julie Boddorf

was interesting to me how when they called out “3 minutes,” my focus shifted instantly from being nervous to finishing my form in the 30 seconds remaining, and to the moves I would do to close. I think I did my best “lotus kick,” that I have ever done.

Phonh: The 3 ½ minutes are not too bad. It went by pretty quickly. It seemed that I was just starting to enjoy myself and it was over! I went overtime about 13 seconds, so my execution points were deducted. Next year I’ll be better prepared on my timing and not be so cocky. That’s OK that I didn’t get a medal. For me it’s not about taking a medal home. It’s about my being a good Guang Ping Yang practitioner. Q) What would you recommend to those thinking of entering a tournament?

Mary: I would recommend that they go for it, as I gained so much for the effort I put into it. I think it helped me to see what I needed to work on, thus I improved; and it also showed me where I am strong, and gave me confidence. There are three dif-ferent levels to compete in: Beginners (up to 2 years as a stu-dent), Intermediate (2-4 years) and Advanced (4 years and up). Although I hope to always improve, my focus is better, and keep-ing in mind that this is a friendly competition that is supposed to be fun helped to make it fun. You also meet some very friendly “players” while waiting for your turn. Actually for me, the wait-ing time was the hardest thing. The motto of the ICMAC is “Friendship through Martial Arts.” Phonh: I strongly encourage anyone to compete at least once in their lifetime, because: 1. You get to meet and make new friends with other people inside and outside of your form. 2. It is a great opportunity to see other forms being done (where else can you see all other forms than at a tournament?), and 3. It’s time that we, as a Guang Ping Yang style, should be recognized and known by others. The rule is in the timing of the 3 ½-minute form, and I think the judges are looking for “control” when you do your form.

(Continued from page 6)

Y e a r o f t h e

R A B B I T

Page 8 The Universal Post / April 2011

YIQUAN STANDING POSTURES

Posture #1

Posture #2

Posture #3

Posture #4

Posture #5

Posture #6

Posture #7

Posture #8

“The goal of I-Ch’uan,” Wang Xiangzhai said, “is to concentrate the spirit and stabilize the mind. Find the natural, inborn abilities.” I-Ch’uan means “intention practice.” I-Ch’uan’s sim-plicity and emphasis on awareness, rather than com-plicated technique. These insights developed within the context of martial arts, are applicable to all aspects of life.

Wang Xiangzhai said, “If you use your mind correctly, you are using real strength. Awareness is power.” This power does not depend on outward appearance or strong muscles. “Nowadays martial artists show off their muscles and think this is a sign of their athletic ability. They do not realize that ab-normal development of the muscles is actually useless and an obstacle to good health.”

The essence of I-Ch’uan is simplicity. Through these deceptively simple prac-tices, we integrate the mind with the body, we develop qi, we learn to focus our intention more precisely, and we strip our reflexive responses of all the excess baggage of learned tech-niques, preconceived no-tions, or unconscious habits of carriage, behavior, and self-armoring picked up over a lifetime of hard knocks.

www.daoyinchun.com

Page 9 The Universal Post / April 2011

GUANG PING YANG TAI CHI APPLICATION

13) F l y P u l l i n g B a c k a n d S t e p U p by Sifu Tom Carney

1 Starting with Posture #12

(Raise Left Hand) Pete (right) attacks or

grabs Tom (left)

Tom grabs the back of Pete’s head forcing him down. A strike to the face can be made with the right hand, or...

2 Tom grabs Pete’s hair or chin and twists his head while step-ping back and forcing Pete to the ground.

3

2b Tom can also grab Pete’s arm and strike his radial nerve of the forearm and then...

4 Tom can also strike to the back of Pete’s head and follow up with many options, such as, tripping out Pete’s leg or going into an arm-bar illustrated on page 5 (Technique #5).

2a

...strikes his jaw (which often knocks the person out). Tom’s left strikes Pete in the groan with the whipping of his fingertips. Notice the lock placed on Pete’s right arm (giving him less options for a counter and many more creative options for Tom)

3

E d i t o r ’ s C o r n e r Editor: Sifu Thomas Carney Email: Editor@GuangPingYang.org We need articles from members and especially teachers. Please email me above and include pictures.

The editor reserves the right to edit any material or article submitted for publication.

The Universal Post and/or Universal Post, title of the Guang Ping Yang T’ai Chi Association’s newsletter, copyright 2007 by Guang Ping Yang T’ai Chi Association. All rights reserved. Non Profit Organization.

O R

OR

Page 10 The Universal Post / April 2011

Honorary Chairmen Y. C. Chiang, CA Henry Look, CA

Past Presidents Dominick Ruggieri, NJ October 2003-October 2005

Nick D’Antoni, WA October 2001-October 2003

Nina Sugawara, CA March 2000-October 2001

Donald Rubbo, CA October 1998-March 2000

Henry Look, CA February 1996-October 1998

Board Members President: Randy Elia, NJ President@GuangPingYang.org

Vice-President: Lawrence Riddle, WI Vice-President@GuangPingYang.org

Treasurer: Paki Sukwattana, OH Treasurer@GuangPingYang.org

Julie Boddorf, NJ Membership@GuangPingYang.org

Patricia Boucher, TX Tricia@GuangPingYang.org

Nick D’Antoni, WA Nick@GuangPingYang.org

Lucy Bartimole, OH Lucy@GuangPingYang.org

Grace Cheng, CA Grace@GuangPingYang.org

Valarie Prince Gabel, CA Valarie@GuangPingYang.org

Jo Presbury-Smith, CA Jo@GuangPingYang.org

National Advisors Valarie Prince-Gabel, Newport Beach, CA JoAnna Gee Schoon, Laguna Beach, CA Daniel Lee, Duarte, CA Jonathon Shear, Richmond, VA Paul Taylor, San Francisco, CA

Membership Coordinator Julie Boddorf c/o Peter Kwok’s Kung Fu Academy 268 Kinderkamack Road Emerson, NJ 07630 Membership@GuangPingYang.org

Web www.guangpingyang.org

Webmaster: Lucy Bartimole Webmaster@GuangPingYang.org Editor: Thomas Carney Editor@GuangPingYang.org

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

13th Annual International Chinese Martial Arts Tour-nament (ICMAC) July 8-10, 2011 Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center, Dunedin, FL 34698

www.kungfuchampionship.com Phone: 727-734-8222 | Fax: 727-734-2414

World Tai Chi Day Saturday, April 30, 2011

ICMACC Calendar • “Kung Fu Challenge”………………………… Atlanta, GA | March 18-19, 2011 • “Big-D” …………………………………...…. Dallas, TX | May 13-1, 2011 • 13th Annual ICMAC ………………………… Orlando, FL | July 8-10, 2011 • 4th Annual Las Vegas ICMAC ……………… Las Vegas, NV | August 13-15, 2011 • 2nd Annual “Golden Gate” ………………….. San Francisco, CA | Sept. 16-18, 2011

2011 CACMA National Kung Fu/Tai Chi Tournament April 30, 2011

Charlotte Convention Center Charlotte, NC 28227 cacma@bellsouth.net

www.mhkungfu.com/CACMA/cacma.php

US Kuo Sho Tournament July 29-31, 2011 Hunt Valley Marriott Baltimore, MD 21284

The United States Kuo Shu Federation info@usksf.org—usksf.org

Disclaimer: The events listed are provided as a resource. They may/may not be sponsored or endorsed by the GPYTCA

Mission Statement Guang Ping Yang T’ai Chi Association

To promote, perpetuate, develop interest in, and preserve the quality of Guang Ping Yang style T’ai Chi Chuan

throughout the world, and to provide support for research and education in Guang Ping Yang T’ai Chi in honor of the memory of Sifu Kuo Lien Ying, who brought Guang Ping to the United States, and in commemoration of his unselfish sharing of his many skills.

We strive to develop and honor the life-enhancing qualities of respect, hu-mility, integrity, honesty, loyalty, and kindness. We manifest our commit-ment to this process by honoring our teachers, students, each other, and the practice of Internal Arts.

Page 11 The Universal Post / April 2011

California

David R. Bernhardt sifubo@taijiway.com

Fu-Tung Cheng futung@chengdesign.com

Yun-Chung Chiang info@wenwuschool.com

Nina H. Deerfield chigrdner@aol.com

Jarl Forsman jarlforsman@gmail.com

Bing Gong bgongtiger@aol.com

Daniel K. Lee danleeyinyang@aol.com

Henry Look sifulook@yahoo.com

Jo Presbury Smith jpresburysmith@cox.net

Valarie Prince Gabel ChiPowr@aol.com

Roger Ramey rrameyL@aol.com

Cheryl Lynne & Don Rubbo fivetigrs@aol.com

JoAnna Gee Schoon jschoon@ivc.edu

Randall K. Sugawara rsugawara@yahoo.com

Paul Taylor PBT6868@aol.com

Allen Trigueiro daiku1@hotmail.com

Denmark

Inger Jensen ij-tornby@stofanet.dk

France

Eric Lelaquais taom74@wanadoo.fr

taom74.com

Sophie Meline Nichanian snichanian@gmail.com

Illinois

Steven M. Kemps chipmunk64@mac.com

Japan

Stephanie Morino ps@gol.com

New Hampshire Peggy Simone

peggy.simone@comcast.net

Mary Sturtevant, M. Ed. qi@pathofharmony.com

New Jersey

Thomas G. Carney streetsurvival@optonline.net

Randy Elia peterkwoks@gmail.com

Ira Esformes DOCIRA@aol.com

Sylvia Gattnig scg7Pearls@verizon.net

Dennis R. Glanfield taichibum@juno.com

Steven J. Karpen Steven.Karpen@att.net

Gary Rosenblum pushhands@msn.com

Dominick Ruggieri sifu@chinahand.com

North Carolina

David Chin realhopgar@earthlink.net

Ohio

Lucy Bartimole lucy@guangpingyang.org

Paki Sukwattana pakinee04@gmail.com

Rhode Island

Diane H. Rabinowitz wenwutaichi@cox.net

Texas

Patricia M. Boucher tricia@guangpingyang.org

Virginia

Jonathan Shear

Washington Nicholas J. D’Antoni

nick@guangpingyang.org

Lynn L. Sharp lynn@villasditalia.com

Wisconsin

Wilkes P. Covey III wapplcov5@msn.net

Joy L. Foye jlfoye@verizon.net

Kristina C. Bung Riddle kristinasmiles@hotmail.com

Lawrence L. Riddle wiswenwuschool@frontier.com

Certifie

d Guang Ping Yang T’ai Chi Association Teachers

Lifting Embracing Post Yao Chengguang

Supporting Embracing Post Yao Chengguang

stamp

Photo and description taken from: “Tai Chi Chuan in Theory and Practice” By: Kuo Lien Ying

Movement 13 F l y P u l l i n g B a c k a n d S t e p U p

Fei Lu Shang Shih

WEN WU SCHOOL

The annual Wen Wu School retreat is scheduled for:

Thursday, July 21 - Sun Jul 24

It will be held at the Stillheart Institute in Woodside CA amongst the coastal redwoods. Its a beautiful almost-new retreat center—very posh compared to earlier sites WWS has used. Details to follow.

info@wenwuschool.com

Come Join The Fun!

c/o Peter Kwok’s Kung Fu Academy 268 Kinderkamack Road Emerson, NJ 07630 USA

GUANG PING YANG T’AI CHI ASSOCIATION

(See Inside for Application)