A long time ago I purchased a video of Michael Phillips performing the san-shou with a student. The demonstration was excellent, I learned a great deal from its clarity and precision. I've been practicing t'ai chi for 30+ years, but I don't think I'd fare too well against this man in a simple tui-shou contest. But it's good to see that he's still around too. :)
The similarities with (Western) Boxing are very interesting...
I think a lot of people would be really surprised how much the two have in common. Not so much the external form, but the sinking and pressing, the role of the feet, hip rotation.
I started my Tai Chi Chuan training last week and after just one sessionI felt different, more relaxed, faster,more flexible, more compassionate knowing that this style can be dangerous in the wrong hands. Like they say be careful who you mess with in the streets, this guy might look like he's soft but when you find urself lying on the ground holding ur jaw n he's standing over you then you'll realize... Tai Chi is NO JOKE! Lol.
I'm still at the early stages of training, so i apologise if this question is funny.
I a past taichi style i practiced, the use of a punch ws frowned upon unless aimed at a soft part of the body , and a palm strike prefered for general striking purposes (one large bone is better than lots of small breakable ones). Do you teach similarly?
This man knows a lot. He also appears to be kind and patient enough to share his knowledge. Bow. Maybe one day I will fly to America just to see and talk to this guy. Without no doubt one of the best Tai Chi videos on youtube so far. Respect and THX for sharing.
Good luck in your life and training Michael Phillips.
Dear Michael. I feel very fortunate to have found you in this vast web space. I have been studying Tai Ji for about 35 years and with some established Malaysian Masters but ,well, what have I been missing ?I get a sense that you know the answer to this question ,I live in London ,England and I was wondering if it is possible to study with you via the internet ? thanks for these gems of instruction
Here is a man , mid 60's, 5'7' and round 150 lb.s & when you feel these punches you will be surprised how much power they contain. It is easy to ridicule from the safety of your easy chair in front of your computer eating your twinkies...I dare say few if any of those making neg comments have half the power of this "Senior Citizen"...
@99XM I don't think it's meant to be literal. I mean, a boxer practises skipping to strengthen his core and legs, you don't actually skip at someone to fight them. So his turning to the left is just to illustrate which biodynamics are in use, that's all.
I have studied many martial arts for decades. The hardest blow I ever received was from Michael Phillips. His strike threw me into the air and about six feet back into a mattress mounted on the wall. If he had not held back the violence of it I am sure it would have killed me. It was amazing. He is amazing.
Michael Phillips knows his stuff and taught me things I will never forget. I am grateful to him and always will be, though I haven't talked to him in more than twenty years.
There is no defence either, his hooks finish down by his waste and he is facing away from his opponent great way to get countered and kod Mike!!
BTW Fedor does NOT throw his punches like this, for starters he, like may Eastern/ex-Soviet guy throw hooks with their knuckles horizontal, not vertical. I think Fedor is great but even he would be the 1st to admit he cant punch as hard as a HW boxer.
This is the worst 'punching' instructional I've ever seen.
It's shit. Really shit!
He's just flailing at the pads, not even taking his own (bad) mountain-valley-mountain advice. Mike looks like a beginner.
Type how to throw a hook into the YouTube search engine and you will get a bunch of boxing instructional videos by guys that know what they are talking aboutunlike Mike.
Well said, sasoriko - I agree with you that good principles of movement translate across styles, and congratulations on being able to train with Fedor Emelianenko; to me, he is the Michael Jordan of MMA.... And you're absolutely correct in saying that he punches the same way - you can see him use this exact same punch in his match with Tom Sylvia, and we all know how that one turned out..... Good luck with your training!
You mentioned that you have trained with Willaim CC Chen. I have not trained with him, but have been taken to task by his students which is the true test of a master. These people don't know what good MA look like. These are the same punching principles that the most powerful punchers in the world use including Fedor Emelianenko whose seminar I attended on this very method. I have seen similar strikes in Hung Gar, Choy Lay Fut, and Chen Taiji. Good show hope to see more soon.
And this comment is an example of why I wouldn't accept you as a student - you missed the entire explanation of "sinking/pressing-up", the "complete shifting of the weight", and the "turning of the torso" across "the line of strike" - in other words, you're too stupid for me to teach you anything..... Every objection you raise was more than adequately covered in the video..... Good luck with your Chinese teachers - they're even less patient with dummies than I am..... Michael Phillips
Let's go over this again, Wbb; These were BKS' comments; 1) Boxing doesn't just use arm muscles. 2) Power comes from the torso. 3) The jab is whip punch or a feint. 4) The cross uses the power of the waist. ALL these things were addressed in the video - you'd have to be Deaf, Dumb or Blind to miss them; Since BKS saw and heard the video, that leaves out deaf or blind, and DUMB is all we've got left. And I've never claimed to be a street fighter, I'm way better than that. - Michael Phillips
Emmm, one of my Teachers was master William CC Chen, and he's been using boxing gloves in his TCC free-sparring classes for the last 40 years or so....
As for "lol", things haven't been so funny for all of the ranking black belts over the years that I've knocked flat on their rear ends using this punching method.
Lastly, in this basic video I am not explicitly covering everything I'm doing internally when I throw this punch, it's just meant to be a very basic introduction. Michael Phillips
Thanks for your comments, and of course, you're correct in saying that ONE TYPE of TCC punch involves "shaking" jin, but this is another style of punch - there are many "jins".... It is also exactly the reverse of a "push", since it uses the bicep muscle to "pull" the fist back toward the body; think of doing a "bicep curl" with a small weight and you'll get the idea - turn this motion horizontally, and that's the basic motion of this punch....
Thanks so much for these videos! I've been reviewing them every few months to see if I can absorb new information. One quick question that I've been having trouble getting answered by my instructor in China. (Language barrier...)
-You talk about "many jins." Is there a place where you/anyone will explore this further? I apologize for not having enough information to phrase the question more clearly. Even a list of definitions/terms would be helpful in facilitating discussion.
the taiji punch is actually a fajin- whole body should shake as to squeeze energy up through body nd hands then explodin inside oponent. but philips seems demenstrate mor of a push here rather than a powerful strike
excellent explanation. very well demonstrated thankyou very much for sharing
darados 1 month ago
A long time ago I purchased a video of Michael Phillips performing the san-shou with a student. The demonstration was excellent, I learned a great deal from its clarity and precision. I've been practicing t'ai chi for 30+ years, but I don't think I'd fare too well against this man in a simple tui-shou contest. But it's good to see that he's still around too. :)
newnairobi1 2 months ago
What a brilliant teacher: clear, simple, keeps interest and generous with information. Thank you SO much!
simontcm 2 months ago
really?... fight as this man vs winchung.... really do you think, this is a god punch?
CcRetaw 2 months ago
@CcRetaw bahhhhh open your mind not your mouth
darados 1 month ago
Very nice sir.
The similarities with (Western) Boxing are very interesting...
I think a lot of people would be really surprised how much the two have in common. Not so much the external form, but the sinking and pressing, the role of the feet, hip rotation.
shenzino 3 months ago
I started my Tai Chi Chuan training last week and after just one sessionI felt different, more relaxed, faster,more flexible, more compassionate knowing that this style can be dangerous in the wrong hands. Like they say be careful who you mess with in the streets, this guy might look like he's soft but when you find urself lying on the ground holding ur jaw n he's standing over you then you'll realize... Tai Chi is NO JOKE! Lol.
supa5th 4 months ago
Thank you for this video (i have subbed).
I'm still at the early stages of training, so i apologise if this question is funny.
I a past taichi style i practiced, the use of a punch ws frowned upon unless aimed at a soft part of the body , and a palm strike prefered for general striking purposes (one large bone is better than lots of small breakable ones). Do you teach similarly?
sugelanren 5 months ago
The fact of the matter is that this method isn't exclusive to taichi. Almost every punch from any style derives power from the legs and hips.
Daggerfall40 7 months ago
that's what's happen when you don't know the difference between a martial art and a fighting method (western boxing/ tai box/ krav maga/ mma).
you get confused...
matannnnn 1 year ago
great ...
UgenetheFlagman 1 year ago
This man knows a lot. He also appears to be kind and patient enough to share his knowledge. Bow. Maybe one day I will fly to America just to see and talk to this guy. Without no doubt one of the best Tai Chi videos on youtube so far. Respect and THX for sharing.
Good luck in your life and training Michael Phillips.
jantarkk 1 year ago
this is rubbish, im a boxer and we use the legs and hips to throw the punches, there is hardly any tension in the arms
idawidawaputtycat 1 year ago
@idawidawaputtycat I agree this guy is a complete wally!
sifuoddjob 1 year ago
lol, i think he's gonna faint at any time
Kanazawa88 1 year ago
that is the hook bruce lee used to use ^_^ cool! always wondered where he got it from, it's SO not wing tsun
41312111 1 year ago
Dear Michael. I feel very fortunate to have found you in this vast web space. I have been studying Tai Ji for about 35 years and with some established Malaysian Masters but ,well, what have I been missing ?I get a sense that you know the answer to this question ,I live in London ,England and I was wondering if it is possible to study with you via the internet ? thanks for these gems of instruction
c.
Fishpigg 1 year ago
Thanks for sharing the step-by-step (no pun intended) instruction. Very nice explanation. Now we all just have to practice...
:o)
ChenStyleJohn 1 year ago
Here is a man , mid 60's, 5'7' and round 150 lb.s & when you feel these punches you will be surprised how much power they contain. It is easy to ridicule from the safety of your easy chair in front of your computer eating your twinkies...I dare say few if any of those making neg comments have half the power of this "Senior Citizen"...
TaiChiTex 2 years ago 20
@TaiChiTex SUPERHUMAN PUNCHES BANA MAN.
AFTER THE PUCH FAIL YOU ARE ALL TURN LEFT, AND YOU ARE DEATH.
99XM 4 months ago
@99XM I don't think it's meant to be literal. I mean, a boxer practises skipping to strengthen his core and legs, you don't actually skip at someone to fight them. So his turning to the left is just to illustrate which biodynamics are in use, that's all.
notdrockok 2 months ago
I have studied many martial arts for decades. The hardest blow I ever received was from Michael Phillips. His strike threw me into the air and about six feet back into a mattress mounted on the wall. If he had not held back the violence of it I am sure it would have killed me. It was amazing. He is amazing.
Michael Phillips knows his stuff and taught me things I will never forget. I am grateful to him and always will be, though I haven't talked to him in more than twenty years.
FistsofStMichael 2 years ago
Comment removed
vilevacuousvapid 2 years ago
If you haven't got a clue why bother making a video?? makes no sense.
whoflungdat 2 years ago
There is no defence either, his hooks finish down by his waste and he is facing away from his opponent great way to get countered and kod Mike!!
BTW Fedor does NOT throw his punches like this, for starters he, like may Eastern/ex-Soviet guy throw hooks with their knuckles horizontal, not vertical. I think Fedor is great but even he would be the 1st to admit he cant punch as hard as a HW boxer.
caerodyn 2 years ago
This is the worst 'punching' instructional I've ever seen.
It's shit. Really shit!
He's just flailing at the pads, not even taking his own (bad) mountain-valley-mountain advice. Mike looks like a beginner.
Type how to throw a hook into the YouTube search engine and you will get a bunch of boxing instructional videos by guys that know what they are talking aboutunlike Mike.
caerodyn 2 years ago
Well said, sasoriko - I agree with you that good principles of movement translate across styles, and congratulations on being able to train with Fedor Emelianenko; to me, he is the Michael Jordan of MMA.... And you're absolutely correct in saying that he punches the same way - you can see him use this exact same punch in his match with Tom Sylvia, and we all know how that one turned out..... Good luck with your training!
All the Best, Michael Phillips
mychifilling 2 years ago
Michael Phillips,
You mentioned that you have trained with Willaim CC Chen. I have not trained with him, but have been taken to task by his students which is the true test of a master. These people don't know what good MA look like. These are the same punching principles that the most powerful punchers in the world use including Fedor Emelianenko whose seminar I attended on this very method. I have seen similar strikes in Hung Gar, Choy Lay Fut, and Chen Taiji. Good show hope to see more soon.
sasoriko 2 years ago
And this comment is an example of why I wouldn't accept you as a student - you missed the entire explanation of "sinking/pressing-up", the "complete shifting of the weight", and the "turning of the torso" across "the line of strike" - in other words, you're too stupid for me to teach you anything..... Every objection you raise was more than adequately covered in the video..... Good luck with your Chinese teachers - they're even less patient with dummies than I am..... Michael Phillips
mychifilling 2 years ago 7
This comment has received too many negative votes show
you're too stupid for me to teach you anything
Bad answer Michael Phillips.
Why are you wearing gloves?
Why do you chamber your hand before throwing?
One thing I will give you is guys your age done often punch so good. It isnt bad.
But the technique is way off for a street fighter / any fighter.
So I wouldnt be calling people dummies dude
wannabeebee 2 years ago
Let's go over this again, Wbb; These were BKS' comments; 1) Boxing doesn't just use arm muscles. 2) Power comes from the torso. 3) The jab is whip punch or a feint. 4) The cross uses the power of the waist. ALL these things were addressed in the video - you'd have to be Deaf, Dumb or Blind to miss them; Since BKS saw and heard the video, that leaves out deaf or blind, and DUMB is all we've got left. And I've never claimed to be a street fighter, I'm way better than that. - Michael Phillips
chifactory 2 years ago
@wannabeebee Dude, this is how bruce lee punched, stop talking smack, if you implicate this at the right time you'll take someones head off.
41312111 1 year ago
Put a video of you hitting a very heavy bag or a maki wari bare knuckle or a the way you do on this video.
Or use what you have against a gloved light weight boxer.
Then when you have won you can call people dummies agreed?
wannabeebee 2 years ago
By the way if you keep blocking people because they diss agree with you then I will get you slung off you tube.
wannabeebee 2 years ago
@wannabeebee : dear douche...
noklarok 1 year ago
boxing doesn't use just arm muscles.
power comes from the torso.
the jab is a whip punch or a feint.
the cross uses the power of the waist.
another example of why i would never
study tai chi with a non-Chinese.
bigkittysmile 2 years ago
He could always whack you with one and you could see for yourself... if you live through it.
machogan85 2 years ago
Emmm, one of my Teachers was master William CC Chen, and he's been using boxing gloves in his TCC free-sparring classes for the last 40 years or so....
As for "lol", things haven't been so funny for all of the ranking black belts over the years that I've knocked flat on their rear ends using this punching method.
Lastly, in this basic video I am not explicitly covering everything I'm doing internally when I throw this punch, it's just meant to be a very basic introduction. Michael Phillips
mychifilling 2 years ago
emm..taiji does not use boxing gloves lol...geeeezus
cellardoorz 2 years ago
Great!!!
chiman1000 3 years ago
Thanks for your comments, and of course, you're correct in saying that ONE TYPE of TCC punch involves "shaking" jin, but this is another style of punch - there are many "jins".... It is also exactly the reverse of a "push", since it uses the bicep muscle to "pull" the fist back toward the body; think of doing a "bicep curl" with a small weight and you'll get the idea - turn this motion horizontally, and that's the basic motion of this punch....
All the Best, Michael Phillips
mychifilling 3 years ago
@mychifilling
Thanks so much for these videos! I've been reviewing them every few months to see if I can absorb new information. One quick question that I've been having trouble getting answered by my instructor in China. (Language barrier...)
-You talk about "many jins." Is there a place where you/anyone will explore this further? I apologize for not having enough information to phrase the question more clearly. Even a list of definitions/terms would be helpful in facilitating discussion.
:)
ChenStyleJohn 1 year ago
the taiji punch is actually a fajin- whole body should shake as to squeeze energy up through body nd hands then explodin inside oponent. but philips seems demenstrate mor of a push here rather than a powerful strike
imbrd 3 years ago