#14: Two steps forward – One step back

• A Mathematical Model
• The Inevitability of Regression
• Balancing Multiple Factors
• Differentiation precedes Integration
• Some Factors improve, as Others degenerate
• The Spiral of Fire and Water
• Embrace Regression as the only Way

#13 The Importance of Power through Elasticity

• Master Ni: “Move three inches beyond your limit.”
• Elasticity leads to power
• Ni: “Power comes from back heel.”
• Increasing elasticity at transitions
• Ni: How to Master Sword through Elasticity
• A method of imparting elasticity [power] to the sword forms

#12 Nuances of Continuous Motion

• Ni: “Sit down all the way.”
• Hiding the Square
• Fighting Fire with Fire
• Ni: "True Kung Fu - continuous weight shift in the feet"
• Moving Chi to the perimeter
• Advanced Continuity– "Folding the Waist at Transitions"
• Continuity applied to Life

#11 The Importance of the Circle in the Square

• Ni: �Keeps teacher honest.�
• The Circle inside the square exceptionally important
• Why bother with the Square, when the Circle feels good?
• Martial Execution
• Body Extension
• Increased Awareness & Extended Intentionality

#10 Changing Body through Soft Attention or Fire & Water to Earth

• Water�s Conservation of energy -> Health, vitality and longevity
• Substituting Water for Fire for Efficiency of Motion
• Path to Water through Fire
• Fire applied to Earth – Effort best applied to Body, not Mind
• Double Fire vs. Watery Fire � Master Ni: �Not out is in.�

#9 Water as Master Ni'�s Target

• The Necessity of Substituting Water for Fire
• 3 Reasons that Fire must be applied regularly
• Getting lost in the details of Fire
• The Importance of Practicing Water
• Master Ni�s techniques for transmitting Water

#8 Fire & Water

• Master Ni: �Fire & Water purify the 10,000 things.�
• Fire & Water as they pertain to Tai Chi
• The Nature of Fire & Water in China�s 5 Phase Theory

#7 Earth, one of the 5 phases, as it pertains to Tai Chi

• Maintaining sphericity to protect the body
• The Necessity of remaining within our Earthen Walls
• Rebuilding walls & Strengthening the foundation
• The weakest parts of our body wall
• Gravity, our primary opponent

#6: Master Ni on the Tao

• "Must leave home to be Taoist, but can practice Tao and have family."
• �Tao = prenatal spirit-vitality = the union of essential nature and eternal life.�
• �Tao is right in front of you."
• Tao, the Word: Definition & Ideogram

#5: Excerpts from Chinese Alchemy & the Monkey

• Master Ni: Internal chi is life force; external chi is money.
• Only the empty mind is light enough to cross the River
• To realize the Buddha-nature immanent in all beings
• Joining the Internal and External lights

#4: Excerpts from Tao of China

• Hand-eye-brain connection
• The Necessity of Storing and Saving Jing – the Raw, Wild Energy
• Fu Hsi introduces proto Tai Chi in prehistoric times
• Ni: �Author of Journey an avatar.�

#3: Excerpts from Tao of China

• Master Ni: "Always Guard the Center."
• Master Ni: the Biography of a Free Man
• Although not a Taoist, Master Ni is Chinese

#2: Therapeutic Nature of the Chinese Sword

1. Extension
2. One pointed concentration
3. Sharpness
4. Target
5. Lightness
6. Yielding

#1: Excerpts from Chinese Alchemy & the Monkey

• Ni: "No difference."
• Cultivating jing & chi without shen spells trouble
• The connection between jing-chi-shen & mercury-lead-earth
• Two demons grow along with mastery