Cloudy Palm

[TaichiMantis]

I am learning tai chi jeung aka mor wan jeung aka cloudy palm.

http://www.sifulee.com/taichi-jeung-postures.phtml
http://ccktcpmantis.com/index.php?optio ... &Itemid=56

[Franklin]

interesting form

do you know any of the history behind it?

i would be interested in hearing

one of my kung fu uncles learned this form from a woman in LA area back in the 80's i think

the taiji dao form that he learned has an opening that is very similar to the wu style weapon's openings...
is there any relation to the wu style
or do you know how the form came into your system (taiji tang lang right?)


franklin

[GrahamB]

That looks just like a mix of the 2 Tai Chi forms (slow form and fast form - the moves are very similar, but they're put together differently in your form - the opening sequence is incredibly similar) taught in the Lee (Li) Family system in the UK (interesting name connection, since your Sifu is also a "Lee" - probably just a coincidence, but is his style a family style? Can you tell me more about the history of the style?)

http://www.leefamilystyle.com

The style also makes extensive use of the words "Cloudy palm" in its teaching - it has two main types of "ward-off" which are cloudy palm and sunny palm (back of the hand and palm of the hand respectively).

Edit - ok found some vids to show what I mean.

When the Sifu in the clip above steps to the right at the start of the form it looks like it does when these guys step to the right:

http://www.taoistartsassociation.org/ap ... energy-box

Another video here:



They're not the same forms by a long way, but they seem very similar in style and presentation to me, especially the second half of the guy in yellow silk pyjamas performance - which is the Lee 'fast' form. I wouldn't be surprised if there's some sort of connection...

[GrahamB]

Some info on Cloudy Palm from the website linked above:

The Praying Mantis style branches off into five major styles: (1) Plum Flower Praying Mantis, (2) Tai Chi Praying Mantis, (3) Seven Star Praying Mantis (4) Praying Mantis and (5) Six Harmony Praying Mantis.

Tai Chi Praying Mantis’ is characterized with quick and continuous hand techniques, soft yet also hard. The hands, eyes, body and movements are quick, clear, and accurate. The style uses Monkey footwork giving the style light footwork, jumping and speed.

It was not until the 7th generation of Tai Chi Praying Mantis did Tai Chi become a part of the system. Grandmaster Chiu Chuk Kai included into the style (1) Cloudy Palms, (2) Single Person Push Hands, and (3) Tai Chi Chuan, Tai Chi Sword, Tai Chi Fan and Tai Chi Sabre. The origin of Tai Chi Chuan comes from Chen’s village, a new style from Chen You Ping (陳有平) also called the small circle fist (小圈拳). Cloudy Palm was taught to Grandmaster Chiu by a Wudan Monk where he was taught the form on a misty mountain thus naming the form “Cloudy Palm”. Tai Chi Praying Mantis has more than 50 forms, and Grandmaster Chiu’s most famous weapon is the Seven Section Chain Whip.

[TaichiMantis]

Yes, thanks GB for point out the history of the cloudy palm form. I am fuzzy on how the other tai chi hand/weapons forms came into our system. I know that there are some students working on the tai chi sabre form in our class. I will ask sifu and some of my kung fu uncles.

[WongYing]

Do a search for Alex Tse on Youtube he is Mantis specialist in Hong Kong having learned both 7 start and Tai Chi Mantis, he is also an avid collector of old manuals and Kuen Po on mantis and other arts etc. He may be able to offer some thoughts and advice on the subject as well

[TaichiMantis]

According to Sifu Robert Hui, the taijiquan is Chen style small circle (no Fajing).

[Andy_S]

What Taiji is that? My understanding was that Taiji Mantis uses the name Taiji, but has not relationship to the martial art of Taiji.

Moreover, Chen small style (xiaojia) Taiji does include fajing, albiet, to a lesser degree than dajia (large frame) Taiji, better known these days as Laojia (old frame) and Xinjia (new frame).

[TaichiMantis]

Michiganders or folks visiting the area...Hope you can come see our demo!

Sifu Li Yen Huo and his class will be doing a demonstration of tai chi and tai chi praying mantis at the Grand Rapids Festival of the Arts in downtown Grand Rapids, MI. We perform at 1 pm on Saturday, June 6. We will be performing cck tcpm tai chi and mantis forms. There will also be audience participation in chi kung breathing excercises and warm up, introduction to push hands and moves from tai chi forms. Sifu Li also may show some self defense moves. Here are some picsfrom last year's performance[/URL]. We are performing in the "Adult Involvement" area behind the County Bldg. (see yellow circle on map)

I officially finished learning CCK's mor wan jeung (cloudy palm), aka taiji jeung, last week and was invited to perform it at the festival. Since I re-started the kung fu side of my training with Sifu Li only a few months ago, I will not be participating in the mantis forms part of the demo. Hopefully next year!

from the Mantis Cave:

Shifu Li Yen Huo is one of shifu Zhao Zhu Xi's "Top 12" (some versions say he is the senior of the 12). These "Top 12" were chosen by shifu Zhao Zhu Xi among the oldest living disciples to carry on the traditions, teaching Tai Ji Tang Lang Quan regardless of financial gain, as long as they lived and were able to continue.

Sifu Li is also well respected for his internal power and iron skills. Read more about Sifu Li on page 17 of the Jan. 2004 issue of Martial Talk.

Would love to meet any of you,
Jackie

[TaichiMantis]

Performing with my class at 2009 Grand Rapids Arts Festival

[Haoran]

I learned this Taiji (CCK Taiji) from from a Vietnamese man nearly 20 years ago. I had it on video but unfortunately can't find it now and have not practiced this form in many years.

[TaichiMantis]

I learned this Taiji (CCK Taiji) from from a Vietnamese man nearly 20 years ago. I had it on video but unfortunately can't find it now and have not practiced this form in many years.

I remember reading a post in the KFM forum archives from a guy in Florida who learned this, are you woliveri? Just curious....anyway, here are two videos of another brother performing this form at a much slower pace.

[Haoran]

Yes, TaichiMantis, That's me.. Haoran is my Chinese name

Thanks for the video posts.