It is with great sadness that we have to report that Dan Docherty passed away on 9th December 2021. His memory lives on through this website, his articles, videos, podcasts and in the hearts, minds and teaching of his many students and friends throughout the world.

If you are looking for a teacher in this style, then please visit “Where to Learn” “Instructor Listings” page as although this is not being kept up to date it will provide contact details for a number of his main students.

The PTCCI practitioners Facebook page is useful should you have questions.

Blog

Jan 28, 2019

FINESSE - CHOP OR SLICE ?


Highly sensitive people

Posted by: Dan

About 20% of people are HSP [Highly Sensitive People]. The percentage of HSP doing Tai Chi is probably far higher than 20%. 

The Chinese term 'Pi' is used to describe chopping with an axe or sabre/ 'Dao'.

The Chinese term 'Kan' is used to describe slicing with a bread knife or a double edged sword / 'Jian'.

Generally speaking guys and non HSP find Pi with a sabre easier to do than Kan with a sword. 

Generally speaking ladies and HSP find Kan with a sword easier to do than Pi with a sabre. 

The top third of a high quality Jian is extremely sharp, perfect for draw cuts. 

The TCC Classic entitled 'Interpretation of the Practice of the 13 Tactics' advises us that 'the spirit is like a cat catching a rat' and 'move the way a cat walks'. Cats are not known for being clumsy or flat footed, yet many practitioners, especially non HSP land flat footed with a thump after a jump 

As a HSP from Glasgow I can only say that I find such a lack of finesse to be abhorrent and intolerable. I want to see cats not hear elephants. 

You know who you are.

Blog articles

Car54 - Climate Change

My latest audio blog podcast including Taoism, ecology, martial arts and lifestyle.

Read more...

Instant Tao

It started with instant coffee...

Read more...

False pig eats tiger

discussing Chinese philosophy in action...

Read more...

One Eye Closed, One Eye Open

Hong Kong Phooey

Read more...

commemoration

WILD COLONIAL BOY - REVIEW BY DOCTOR MARNIX WELLS

 

Read more...

WILD COLONIAL BOY

My book release date is October 30. The publishers are Austin Macauley.

Read more...

WILD COLONIAL bOY

I changed a few things a little bit, but one way or another everything in this book really happened.

Read more...

Mr. George Button Chief Physical Training Instructor RHKP

George Button is the gentleman in the black jacket pictured with 3 recruit inspectors at a function in the officers Mess in 1974. 

Read more...

AL DORAN - MARTIAL ARTS COMMANDO

I last played rugby when I was 16. I quit because in a game with fellow students, I ended up at...

Read more...

HEALTH QIGONG

HEALTH QIGONG – APOLOGIES TO ALL BY DAN DOCHERTY The TCUGB was Nigel Sutton’s...

Read more...

COVER GUY DD FEBRUARY 2002 COMBAT MAGAZINE

Combat Magazine Wudang Spear Form

Read more...

FINESSE - CHOP OR SLICE ?

Highly sensitive people

Read more...

LOST IN TRANSLATION

In the TCC world both in its literature and teachings egregious errors due to inaccurate...

Read more...

9 DRAGON INTERNATIONAL SQUAD BY DAN DOCHERTY

As we all know, the Chinese triad societies, [sometimes referred to as 'Black Societies' in both...

Read more...

426 BY DAN DOCHERTY

The Chinese term 'Sanhehui' [literally 3 Harmonies Association] was the name of one specific...

Read more...

FALLS & MORE

hI y'all,  I am getting involved in running falls prevention courses locally and...

Read more...

The Guardians of the Chinese Hells

Another side of things.  Judge not that ye be judged.

Read more...

SHEN MING & OSMOSIS

Shen is the Chinese character for spirit and there are 2 part to this character. On the left...

Read more...

WHITE HORSES

The Australian journalist, Richard Hughes, wrote a book about Hong Kong entitled 'Borrowed Place...

Read more...

PTCCI SUBSCRIPTION & WEBSITE ACCESS

PRACTICAL TAI CHI CHUAN INTERNATIONAL LIFETIME SUBSCRIPTIONS & ACCESS TO VINTAGE DAN DOCHERTY WRITINGS  REVIEWS & INTERVIEWS

Read more...