Kaitain(UK)
03-13-2001, 04:13 PM
I like to think my theoretical knowledge of TJQ is pretty good and that my understanding is reasonable but I'm really stuck on the thirteen postures
I understand the Eight Gates ok -
the sides : ward off, roll back, press, push
the corners : pull-down, split, elbow and shoulder strike
where I get lost is on the five steps - advance, retreat, look left and gaze right, and Central Equilibrium (stationary). I can never find any really solid information on the five steps - the eight gates are easy enough (although my understanding constantly changes, initially I thought they were individual postures :)) but I can't find what is important to concentrate on with the five steps - there must be some significance to differentiating between look left and gaze right for example.
And yes I understand that they eqate to the five elements but I'm still a bit lost.
Any thoughts from any style appreciated - maybe you have a different perspective...
"A 'superior' martial artist is one who is adept at applying/internalizing the entire philosophy of his system (doctrine, strategy, tactic)." - Scott Sonnon
I understand the Eight Gates ok -
the sides : ward off, roll back, press, push
the corners : pull-down, split, elbow and shoulder strike
where I get lost is on the five steps - advance, retreat, look left and gaze right, and Central Equilibrium (stationary). I can never find any really solid information on the five steps - the eight gates are easy enough (although my understanding constantly changes, initially I thought they were individual postures :)) but I can't find what is important to concentrate on with the five steps - there must be some significance to differentiating between look left and gaze right for example.
And yes I understand that they eqate to the five elements but I'm still a bit lost.
Any thoughts from any style appreciated - maybe you have a different perspective...
"A 'superior' martial artist is one who is adept at applying/internalizing the entire philosophy of his system (doctrine, strategy, tactic)." - Scott Sonnon