The New York Yangjia Michuan Taiji group, founded by Robert Politzer in the early 1990’s at the West Side YMCA, has met virtually, and occasionally outdoors, since Covid shut the country down in March of 2020. The Saturday group is now back in session – meeting every Saturday morning @ 8:45 in Central Park. Here is a photo of the hearty group after our second session on May 22nd.
Here is an article I wrote after returning from the First International YMT Festival in Strasbourg, France in the summer of 1995. Included are some photos from the festival and a couple of moments from the NYC Taiji Group having dinner at the old Ollies on Broadway and 68th Street around that time.
Please post a comment to your fellow Taiji friends below…
We are now meeting virtually for short Taiji classes on Saturday morning and Monday evenings.
Paul G, one of our students, just sent me this. Speaking of “walking like a cat”!
We had a wonderful Class Celebration of Yangjia Michuan Taijiquan Students and Teachers on Saturday, February 1. And had a toast of Green Tea to celebrate the Lunar New Year and 26 years of YMT at the YMCA and in NYC.
Zodiac image found here: https://www.writtenchinese.com/legend-chinese-new-year-animals/
On Saturday, December 14 some of the Taiji Class gathered at Legend 72 for a noontime banquet. Good food and good conversation was had! Bob Simon is planning our New Years gathering on Saturday, February 1 and the restaurant wants reservations, so let him know if you are going to be there.
To My Dear Tai Chi Students:
It was deeply touching for me and my family to have trees planted in Israel in honor of our Father who passed at age 97.
You very generous and touching gift and the trees that were planted as a result will warm our hearts for years to come.
Much Love to you all.
A belated happy year of the Pig to all! Below is an image from one of our recent banquets, some nice pig stamp images, and a link to T shirts that students and teachers can buy from. I designed the logo based on one our older shirts and it celebrates 25 years of our class in NYC! Robert did a great job of making it easy, just order the size you want from the site, pay for it, and they will be all delivered to Robert who will pass them out…
Here are some images related to our taiji classes and taiji in general. Starting at the top and moving clockwise: March 17, 2018 Saturday class in second floor room at the YMCA, Lunar New Year Stamps, March 10 YMT class banquet on 72nd Street, A taiji cookie hides in plain site, May 26, 2018 Memorial Day Class, A look at the Lincoln Plaza Cinema.
Here are two links that I have consolidated from other pages on this site for students and teachers to use. The first is to Herve Marest’s video of the Wang Yen-nien Fan Form, which is taught in our YMT class. The second is to Nicole Henriod’s video of the 13 Postures. Enjoy!
To get the the Year of the Dog going here are some recent – and vintage – photographs…
From top left, in clockwise order: 1) The last NYC YMT class of 2017, 2) A classic art movement man, 3) A Saturday class from late in 2017, 4) Robert Politzer and Master Wang practicing tuishou in 2001 (It was a spontaneous moment sometime towards the end of a workshop that a number of us attended. I believe the photograph is courtesy of Ilana Schienman), 5) Frolicking of the House Cats, and 6) The shirt I almost bought my Mom for Christmas.
The Thirteen Postures – Yang Family Hidden Tradition
The Eight Upper Body Movements:
1. Ward Off – Peng
2. Roll Back – Lu
3. Press – Ji
4. Push – An
5. Pull Down / Drag Down – Tsai
6. Split / Twist the Joint – Lieh
7. Elbow – Chou
8. Shoulder – Kao
The Five Lower Body Directions:
Advancing Steps – Jin
Retreating Steps – Tui
Glance to the Left Side – Ku
Glance to the Right Side – Pan
Central Equilibrium – Ding
Here is a classic text, translated in the book “The Essence of T’ai Chi Chuan”, by Ben Lo and others.
Song Of The Thirteen Postures
Author Unknown
The thirteen postures should not be taken lightly;
The source of the postures lies in the waist.
Be mindful of the insubstantial and substantial changes;
The qi (breath) spreads throughout without hinderance.
Being still, when attacked by the opponent, be tranquil and move in stillness;
(My) changes caused by the opponent fill him with wonder.
Study the function of each posture carefully and with deliberation;
To achieve the goal is very easy.
Pay attention to the waist at all times;
Completely relax the abdomen and the qi (breath) will raise up.
When the coccyx is straight,
The shen (spirit) goes through the headtop.
To make the whole body light and agile suspend the headtop.
Carefully study.
Extension and contraction, opening and closing, should be natural.
To enter the door and be shown the way, you must be orally taught.
The practice is uninterrupted, and the technique (achieved) by self study.
Speaking of the body and its function, what is the standard?
The i (mind/intent) and qi (breath) are king, and the bones and muscles are the court.
Think over carefully what the final purpose is: to lengthen life and maintain youth.
The Song consists of 140 characters; each character is true and the meaning is complete.
If you do not study in this manner, then you will waste your time and sigh.
Here are a few things to celebrate the changing of the seasons. From to top to bottom are:
Morning Taiji Class on September 22, Somewhere beautiful in Vermont, A Class Taiji Banquet on June 24, Morning Taiji Class on May 20, A Tasty Cookie by Holly Leavy, A Collection of Fish, A Whisker Friendly Catfood Dish.
New York City Yang Family Hidden Tradition 