Tong Bi Method

Dr, Mike’s Yuen's “REAL TAI CHI" training is a powerful algorithm for what I believe is the next phase in the evolution of the Traditional Yang Family systems as well as related lineages. Mike is taking the “Closed Door” transmission he personally received from Yang Sau Chung (Yang Cheng Fu’s eldest son) to a new level that includes both the Martial & Health benefits, but goes well beyond them to a new synthesis of Eastern wisdom & Western technology manifesting as the state of Embodied Presence.

If you feel like your Tai Chi is not as full and powerful as it could be, Mike's insights and training can help you transform your practice into something much richer. It's not just the "JI Pressing Power Pushing", but a whole set of practices that turn modern Tai Chi on its head. The training helps untie ingrained habits and helps put them in a new light, opening up whole new frontiers of development in your practice.

JI Pressing Power Pushing is a new thing to me since I’ve already practiced Yang Tai Chi and Wu family style Tai Chi for 25 years. But too much emphasis was put on the form than power development. Regards Dr. Yuen's “Medicine ahead of Will”, I am incorporating medicine in teaching different frames catering to my student’s individual needs. I have decided to follow the Yang Sau Chung posture over my Wu style posture because it is more suitable to developing straight line force. I am excited to incorporate Dr. Yuen’s Advanced Human Training way of doing things into my teaching.

I’ve been intensely involved in the martial arts for 45 years with credentials in a few arts. Surprisingly, I‘m as passionate now as ever, although my focus is not on fighting anymore, but in using martial arts to reach my full potential as a person - spiritually, mentally, and physically. In completing the first level of Ji Power Pushing, Mike Yuen delivers in addressing my personal goals. Specifically with power pushing, this is the missing link to what I’ve suspected was absent from almost all The Tai chi I’ve learned to date. It simply brings in the power that the original Tai chi masters were known for. Although much more learning and training  is forthcoming, I can already feel the results and realize the potential.

I found that the course has tons of valuable information, beyond the drills and exercises. The 8 agreements, 2 of which I already knew, and along with the other 6, my daily practice and understanding of Tai chi gained a lot. The philosophical, historical, cultural and personal experience that Dr. Mike has brought is enormous, the material about medicine - how body parts intercommunicate is awesome, it opens new understandings about Tai chi practice. The Short Power & Qin Da (authentic Yang family "seizing & grasping") are unique. I review the material constantly and always gain new insights. This course brought many concepts that I was unaware of until then, with more than 30 years of study and practice. Also, Dr. Mike gives personalized, specific instruction geared towards individual growth, unlike other courses where instruction is generalized to the general audience and superficial. The training has given me opportunity to clarify personal doubts and to also learn from listening to questions from other participants.

Dr. Mike Yuen is offering a unique approach for those not only interested in Tai Chi Chuan, but mind/body health and human potential. How is he doing this? By combining traditional Chinese wisdom and modern physiology and psychology, but not being bound by either. Why not start with the end in mind? Traditionally, Yang family power pushing is usually taught to experienced students after learning the solo form. Dr. Mike is introducing it in the early stage of his curriculum with great results. Encouraging the power of imagination, principles, and footwork are a few of the 8 Agreements that Dr. Mike calls advanced habits over entrenched habits. All designed to accelerate understanding and progress. Refreshing is the confidence Dr. Mike has in his students in that he believes all Tai Chi practitioners with over three years of experience are already advanced and fit to teach. Interestingly, Dr. Mike has not asked us to empty our cup and forget everything we thought we knew about Tai Chi Chuan. Dr. Yuen says keep what you have, no need to empty anything. Just be open to integrating Yang Sau Chung’s traditional practices along with modern advances to deepen and expand all that you've learned from life. What this means is that at the age of 70, and with 20 years of experience in martial arts, I have a lot to bring into my teaching. I’m excited to see where this goes!