Baguakid

Two things I don't care for in these videos. 1. He sticks his azz out like a shaolin player. 2. He turns his Bai step inwards towards the inner part of the circle (twisting on the ankle and knee).

I think he should charge 35k per seminar. At least then he would not try to "appear" fair. Thirty Five hundred dollars plus travel for a 10 day seminar ... well, as my wife would say. 他骗人了

That's nice Kathy but if the rate remains the same it would still be way out of my range. I apprecate your honesty and devotion. If I can make it in the future I could perhaps attend one of your seminars. Best,

Yep, so now we're back up to around 5k for a 10 day seminar including airfare from the US.

Yeah, that's what I figured... I thought they might have been giving people a break since I read something about airport transportation. Of course this is most likely a trip from and to the airport.... LOL.. Oh well....

Dear Kathy Li, "USD 3600 (including 10 days tuition fee, hotel, meal, transportation) directly to the Taoist Master." Does that mean airfare is included no matter where one lives in the US (if one is coming from the US)? Or does this include only air fare within China? Could you clarify what exactly is included with this fee? Thank you much, Bill

Shaking has several purposes as Craig mentioned. One being to help open channels. Another, more important reason is to release bad qi and relieve stagnent areas of the body. This is some of the main focuses of the Tiger qigong exercise (at least the one I learned). Therefore this exercise is a foundation exercise IMO.

Yes, I understand his position. Come to the U.S. with an extensive background and charge what he can for it after becoming known. Good for him... really. I don't make a lot of money and what I do goes towards my wife and son. Looks like I'll need to wait for a different lifetime before being able to study with someone like him.

Thanks Craig for the reply, 1. Master Wu is quite expensive or at least way out of my reach. When I first saw his info I was excited and thought I found a good teacher. However, after seeing his prices (lifelong teaching, each module 1500 +) it's way out of my reach. 2. I don't care for esoteric classes. I'm interested in qigong only. I'm not seeing that al-a-carte availability from him. 3. I'm a "proof is in the pudding" guy. I've been around several masters in the 25 years I've been into this who "radiate" qi. These are the guys I seek out. This is why I asked you about how you feel when you're in his presence. It doesn't mean anything to me if he has lineage or is deeply respected by people in China, if nothing is felt in his presence then that's not what I'm looking for. I apply this standard to other things too. For example, I just recently met with a touted high level Lama. I went to meet with him but in his presence I felt nothing. 4. You mentioned Shaking. Do you know why Master Wu teaches shaking? 5. You mentioned doing forms with low stances. Do you know how Master Wu would bring someone who could not do the low stances up to that level? Does he care to start a student where they should start based on their current condition or does he give everyone the same exercise who comes to him? 6. Now I would be interested in his Bigu training as it's long been an interest of mine but if you look at his prerequisites, you'd need to train with him for 3 years continuously. Plus, pay the prices for his "secret" training. Sorry, can't afford that. Thanks,

Well, I have his DVD on the Tiger Qigong and honestly I couldn't get through it.. it's sitting on my shelf right now. I had learned a different version from another teacher. I'm not sure why it doesn't seem to resonate with me. I also found his website to be "difficult to approach".. if that makes sense. I don't care for esoteric approaches to disseminate this kind of information and I get that "feeling" from his site. I would like more info from VCraigP of his class style, prices, and more than anything else, what you feel from him while in his presence. Thanks.

Sorry, I can't possibly afford it.

Ha ha... yep, that's what a good woman is for... LOL..

I see.. Cool, cool BTW, if that's you on the horse. Keep your feet on the balls of the feet in the stirups with your heels down. Otherwise if you fall off one of your feet could get hung up in a stirup. If that was a one time deal then save the tip for next time.

You're saying he emphasizes keeping the elbow down? I'm not saying all bagua lineages flairs the elbow. Some Gong BaoTian lineages are inline with ours. I'm saying from what I've seen from Yin style and BKF, that is different from us and I haven't yet figured out the theory of that methodology.

Yes, What I mean is the elbow is facing the ground, not off to the side in any degree. My teacher would say not to 翘【qiào】 stick up; hold up; bend upwards; turn upwards. Our form is more like a boxer (closed/tight) rather than what I've seen of Yin bagua on the web (open). Here's a couple clips of my teacher in Shanghai. Note his elbow(s) are kept down to protect the center. This is my meaning. I consider this guy's elbow below dressed in black (in the mother palm) to be non-tucked. I couldn't find a BKF video but I know I've seen the same thing from him IIRC.

I've never been able to get into the yin style or what appears to be a flaired or non-tucked elbow style. This is from what I've seen on youtube as finding bagua is usually not so easy. We have a "tucked" elbow and somewhat different stepping. I'm in Northern Nevada now, perhaps I will be able to see something live in the future which would help me understand the "non-tucked" style when ever I can get over to the bay area. tks

yep, everytime I practice Wuji my body gyrates/spins. Then sometimes it stops spinning and the hands "bounce" and "float". At anyrate, it's just a reaction to the qi entering your body. Don't get hooked on it or expect it because sometimes you won't have it. Just keep practicing and forget it. The next level may have some other reaction.

Looks like I'm going to be moving to within a few hours of the Bay Area (Reno/Tahoe area). Anyone know of Masters/Schools/Training in that area (Sacramento/Oakland/San Francisco)? Thanks,

Take it easy SFJane.. I'm just stating what I felt based on what I saw from the guy in the video. I don't know BKF, never met him, but would really like to. Based on everything I've seen on youtube from him, I've never felt the draw to come learn from him. Could be my huge mistake, who knows? Anyway, I'm not here to bash but I do state clearly what I feel based on what I see. I don't pull punches. Again, I could be sorely mistaken and that's my weight to bear. Put your emotion away and have a beer, or a coke and a smile. Peace.

Thanks for the reply SurfingBuddha!!

Well, you do what makes you feel comfortable. I would ask though, what Kung Fu training are you learning? Don't believe the BS about China not having good Kungfu or the government is keep it squashed. There is some EXCELLENT Martial Arts in Shanghai and Beijing and Xian. Just gotta know where to look. Go over to www.rumsoakedfist.org and ask a few training there now. Do your research. I lived in China for nearly 2 years and I loved it. Found my bagua teacher there (Shanghai). Again, would go back in a heartbeat.

I came/come here to get connected to others of like interest. Specifically, Qigong/Neigong and Teachers/Masters of those arts.

surfingbudda: 1. Do your homework on the schools in China. I know of Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangzhou as the three big areas to go. I personally have visited the campus in Shanghai which is very new and is in PuDong (East of the HuangPu river).. The old campus was in PuXi and I have another friend who attended that school in the "old days". I'm personally partial to either Shanghai or Beijing. Just because I've been to those cities. 2. Ya Mu is the screen name of one of our Medical Qigong teacher here on thetaobums. Look at the post above mine above. Read his profile. It mentions he had a 12 year study program with his teacher. Don't take this lightly. It's not like going to 7-11 for a snack. It's a long term commitment. Read more of what you have here on TheTaoBums. Some very good resources here on this board. Ya Mu, Terry Dunn (Flying Phoenix), Garry Hatfield (Burning palm, student of Doo Wei). There are some great resources here in the states if you want Medical Qigong. THAT I would think you'd get jerked around in China. Very, Very difficult to find a good teacher like Ya Mu's, Terry Dunn's, and Garry's. Regarding Yo San and Five Branches... check the prices of those schools. You are going to move there, incur the cost of living, plus school. If you have someone paying that for you, great. Otherwise, look at China and the huge price difference. If you're going to go for something go all the way. IMO. 3. My friend in China is an American with a little Chinese language knowledge. Again, he's taking classes in English or with an English translation. Best,

If anyone was serious about training TCM I would not waste my time or money here in the states. You can learn for 1/5 or less the cost of what it would cost in the US and the program would be better (IMO). I say this because they do not offer a 3 year program in China. The shortest is 4 year but more common is 5 year. My friend is getting to the end of his 5 year program in Shanghai and is loving it. You have the immersion of Chinese culture, a professional Chinese TCM program with a full complement of Western medical theory and they have classes in English (or with translation). In the US you're going to pay through the nose (50k?) and maybe the teacher will help you, maybe not. If I were younger and didn't have a family now I'd be there right now. THERE'S NO COMPARISON... NONE. Just my opinion of course after living in China. EDIT: Also, don't waste time at a TCM school looking to learn Qigong. The only qigong they will have is a token doctor who has some taiji or simple qigong experience to give the students. If you want to learn TCM, learn TCM. If not go to Ya Mu or others who have that knowledge and skill. You will not learn Medical Qigong of any significance at a TCM college EDIT AGAIN: look at my Shanghai Links page: http://members.bigvalley.net/wuji/china/shanghailinks.html Which has Shanghai TCM College on it: http://www.shutcm.com/gjyenglish/index.shtml http://www.shutcm.com//