brass monkey, RE: “I don’t think you’ve been upfront as you seem to indicate. For a long time you claimed to be a Doctor of TCM until someone called you out on it.”. Then you haven’t been paying attention. I’ve never once claimed accreditation. I have and still do casually refer to myself as a TCM doc, since where I live, there ARE no legally recognized (by the State of Oklahoma) Doctors of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Even the few with out-of-state accreditation who can legitimately claim the formal title are not legally recognized as such here. That’s the real shame of it. As far as someone “calling me out” on it, I gave exactly the same response to that person who also hadn’t been paying attention.
RE: “Kind of like how every 6 months the name of your teacher of Baguazhang changes.”. Puzzling. I’m assuming you’re confused, since I have claimed and presently claim the very same teachers and influences every time. My primary teacher was Li Xian. I have also learned or been influenced by Zhang Hong Xiao, Dr. John Painter, and Erle Montaigue, in no particular order. That’s the same group I’ve always mentioned, so I’m hoping that clears it up for you.
RE: “This may be true, I’m sure the good Doctors didnt learn from solely a book though. Why hold your standards to the lowest of skill?”. And neither did I. Though, as I have mentioned before, there are no accrediting entities within my state, so all knowledge must be through in-person instruction or from the literature. I would be quite pleased if the situation changes but until then, I have to make do with what is or has been available to me.
RE: “Are you sure?”. Yes.
RE: “Is it disrespectful for me to question alot of ridiculous statements I hear coming from the senior Montaigue students and yet receive no answers only more questions. I dont think your camp has been very respectful of TCC practioneers so I don’t feel so bad expressing my opinions either, please correct me wherever I am wrong.”. I would be happy to. As for senior Montaigue students, I cannot answer for them, not being one of them. “My camp” isn’t accurate here, since I am not affiliated with Erle Montaigue or his organization. I have consistently defended Mr. Montaigue publicly and will continue to do so under present circumstances. If you have experienced frustration with getting some of your questions answered from WTBA representatives, you have my sympathies. While I’ve personally found them to be generous with information, perhaps you have not. Is there a particular question you’d like answered? Maybe I could try and get some information for you. Best I can offer.
RE: “My opinion of what you all do is very clear if your happy doing what you do great, I just don’t think its TCC as others feel as well.”. Assuming you are still referring to Erle Montaigue’s particular take on Taiji rather than mine specifically, I can’t argue. Not that I necessarily agree, it’s just that you of course have a right to your opinion. I understand, since I have levied similar criticism at the vast majority in the U.S. practicing YCF/CMC Taiji. By far, the great majority of them can’t fight, IMO. Not all of them, to be sure, but such an overwhelming percentage that I find myself unable to call what they are doing Taijiquan. Yet, like you say, if they are happy doing it, more power to 'em. It’s their time to spend, after all.
Bottom line: I think you have erroneously “lumped” me in as one of Erle Montaigue’s WTBA instructors. Now, while this is not the case, I have made my support for Mr. Montaigue’s efforts very clearly and consistently. Apparently well enough that I am mistaken for one of his guys. Not that such a distinction would be anything but a plus in my book, but the fact is that I’m not affiliated with the WTBA. Hopefully, I’ve managed to clear that up for you. However, as I mentioned, if there’s anything I can do to get a question answered for you regarding Erle or his methods, I’ll be happy to try. Erle is definitely controversial; I don’t think there’s any getting away from that. But I don’t think that means that legitimate questions can’t be asked, nor that those questions can’t be answered in a respectful way. At the end of the day, it’s OK to disagree. Personally, I don’t think ANY side of the controversies has a complete monopoly on the truth.
