Hey, Sam.
I’m in the middle of practice right now, and I just noticed my fingertips are sweating a bunch. I’m posting this because I remember reading in something of Erle’s that it is a good sign if you really sweat from your fingertips, although I can’t remember where it was. He was talking about during the form, but right now I’m just doing basics and single movements. Do you know anything about this or what it means?
Thanks a lot.
Excellent!
Yes, the hands sweating is a good sign. Generally, only my palms and fingertips sweat, though there are some days when my entire hands will literally drip with sweat.
What this means is that your qi is flowing freely right down to your peripherals, the tips of your fingers and toes.
It doesn’t really apply to only the form. If I just think about practicing, and my hands will start to perspire.
You are doing well.
Check out this page from Erle’s site It lists some of the signs that tell you that you are progressing well.
My Sifu sez the same thign as Sam.,
She even walks through the class and checks Palms after Qi-Gong and Form training.
They should even sweat at 2 Degrees centi. when you train outside.
Ahhhh very good grasshopper the next level will be when the air around you becomes heavy and mist like when you practice the form.
However
If the hands, feet , and face are reddened and have heat sensations, especially in the afternoon or evenings in general then this occurence is most certainly a Yin deficiency condition, and you ought to seek medical help from a Chinese doctor. Sweating can be a good sign of internal pathogens leaving the body via mobilisttion of Qi cultivation. However all thing sin equal balance is the key, if there is too much sewating then this may not be too good.
Originally posted by brassmonkey
Ahhhh very good grasshopper the next level will be when the air around you becomes heavy and mist like when you practice the form.
Your point being?? Ohh, enlightened one.
Strange all the TCC-Guys I met so far said that sweaty palms is a good sign.
But than there are always People that experience the opposite to everybody else.
sighs.
Or maybe you are just another dumb troll trying to spoil the party.
Sam
Speaking of sweaty palms… I was invited to a seminar hosted by world famous qigong master Zhang Yuan Ming. He had us stand relaxed and came around and grabbed the ligament under our armpit and pulled it till it made several popping noises almost like that of a chiropractic adjustment I also felt a shock run down the length of my arm and instantly my palms sweated to the point of dripping. He said he was opening the arm channel. Now I have seen a lot in my life as a matial artist but have never experienced that ever. Sam could you ask earle about that and get his reaction? I am very curious to understand fully. After that I asked him to open my legs but he said I wouldnt be able to walk for a day or so.
Do this first, check out his webiste www.Qigongmaster.com
I’d be worried about someone asking me to open their legs 
Ha Ha maybe I worded that wrong. I meant open the channels in my legs.. anywho get your mind out of the gutter Mr. Kaitian ..
…LOL
Earth Dragon,
According to Erle, there are several “keys” a teacher gives students to help unlock the internal. They range from spoken keys to touch to watching the master practice. I don’t know what most of them are, and that’s probably a good thing, but I’ll bet this is one version of the practice. I’ll email him and ask him about the armpit thing today for you.
Dude, this guy’s supposed to be descended from Chang San-feng? Interesting. What are his methods like? Are they similar to other systems of qigong and internal Gung Fu, or are they radically different?
That would be pretty d a m n cool if Zhang San Feng was your ancestor. It’s too bad he didn’t really invent Taijiquan. (I hope that doesn’t start a huge flame.
)
Well, I just heard back from Erle. He said that pulling the tendons like that was purely physical and has nothing to do with qi. I have no idea what the guy’s reason for doing it would be, then. But then again, he claims to be descended from Chang San-feng. Anyway, the whole thing is bizarre.
“Zhang San Feng was your ancestor. It’s too bad he didn’t really invent Taijiquan”
Just wondering when people make broad claims what ever they are, what are the qualifiers?
Why should any one believe one way or the other when things are said as matter of fact or as a truth known and accepted by all.
Are you stating this as fact or just something that you believe to be true?
I don’t believe Zhang San Feng invented taiji. The whole reason that myth was created is that students of taiji or teachers back in the old days wanted to have a fantastic backround for the art. This is something the chinese do a lot, it is not unusual people would claim taiji is from Zhang San Feng. Unlike westerners, who tend to think ‘new and improved is better’, the chinese tend to be more along the lines of ‘older, tried and true is better’.
There is no evidence to suggest that Zhang had anything at all to do with taiji or martial arts. He was a daoist, and on his gravestone he is a daoist immortal (or something of that nature), not the originator of taijior a martial artist.
Now… Several postures from the old Chen family forms are EXACTLY like those in General Qi Ji Guan’s boxing manual. Everything points to the Chens being the main originators, and other sources such as General Qi before them, while nothing points to Zhang San Feng (he existed, of course, just he had nothing to do with taiji).
So, while yes, this is just my opinion, I belive it is true because of the evidence. If anyone who claims that Zhang San Feng did in fact invent taijiquan I would be VERY happy if they would send it to me, or post it on the board. But as of yet, nothing other than “my teacher said his teacher told him” sort of things have pointed to it.
But that’s just my opinion. 
We’ve been through this a thousand times. Henning has written the best assessment of the Zhang San Feng mythology using historical records to cast subatantial doubt as to whether he even existed. He most clearly shows how it was popular for the Chinese culture at that time to associate mythical gods and daoists to forms or systems in order to inflate their importance.
When people make a claim like Zhang San Feng was the founder of my qi gong, the burden of proof lies with them to substantiate the claim. Oral history isn’t enough.
Although there are competing explanations for the founding of taiji, all is possible but what we deal with is that which is probable.
The best explanation is still that which was posted by taiji_student.
But I guess you can believe in anything you want.
Thanks, that was a very good way to present a viewpoint.
My main point was that it seems we some how or maybe it’s just my perception that many things are posted with out much in the way of presenting a backdrop for the view point other then, it is so.
We seem to have some very talented people here, I for one would like a little more info on how or why a certain viewpoint is presented.
yours was very interesting and informative, thanks. 
greetings, Fellow Travelers..
Most items i share, i share based on my own personal experience. To assert that “i know”, for me at least, must be born of direct personal experience. Even then, the words are abstractions. The fervor with which we hold to our beliefs does not confer validity upon that belief. Tai Chi has, by my direct experience, enhanced my life profoundly, this i know. Who created it, the lineage of my Sifu, etc.. is interesting, but not essential to the experience itself.. is my “style” pure? Who knows! But, in competition it has been judged favorably, in practical application it has proved superior to the methods employed by the adversaries.. simply put, it works for me.. Tai Chi is a gift we give ourselves (too often, i see people “looking a gift horse in the mouth”).
As we mangle our styles by bickering over who’s right/wrong we miss the golden opportunity to find the commonalities, the pragmatic virtues and to continue to be the life force that animates and evolves this ancient art. If we strive to maintain the strict purity of the original style(s), we only suffocate it’s living evolution. Please don’t misunderstand me, i do not suggest that we simply modify a style to suit our personal experiences.. rather, that through forums like this we share experiences, test their virtues, and hopefully broaden our horizons. It took hundreds even thousands of years for Tai chi to reach us in its present condition, i don’t expect it to radically evolve today, but given time and sincere efforts of the players it is not unreasonable to expect someday that there may be quite valid “American Tai Chi”.
YIKES, i just read back and apologize for my wordiness.. but, since my typing skills are so poor/slow i really hate to waste these words.. so, here they are…
be well, be compassionate, and be sincere (the rest will take care of itself).
How do you define “American Taichi”?
Tai chi bob
My hat goes off to you and I bow at your wise words. I have read some great posts in my day but yours ranks in the top “10”
I think the old “real” masters would roll over in thier grave if they ever knew that the gift of practicing tai chi would be scrutinized and judged by people communicating over computers through phone lines while attending their weekly classes for a couple years and practicing a few times a week and then attempting to pretend they have the slightest bit of true understanding about it!
Bravo BOB!!!
HEY I PRACTISED SINCE I WAS NINE CONSISTENTLY! DOn’t stereotype EVERYONE! and one day AMerican Tai Chi will never be as good as Tai Chi in Asian countries such as china, taiwan, etc. This is not simply because China is obviously better(:p) but asia is also better in every asian martial art compared to the rest of the world. For example U.S. wushu is nowhere near the level of asia. That’s cause in Asia people practise EVERYDAY. and i don’t mean wake up at 7 goto work at 8 or 9 and come home at 5 and practise for a couple of hours.
THey wake up at 6 practise eat lunch practise eat dinner practise and goto sleep and do the routine. Like for the china wushu team none of them goto school. they get paid to train and stuff so obviously their kung fu drastically improves a LOT faster than it would cause here everyone has school/work, etc but who knows maybe someone will achieve a high level.
It’s not like it’s not impossible. Personally I feel that your sifu can teach you the entire art without you understanding it. You should study things like the Tao Te Ching and think hard and just practise everyday. when you’re at a bus stop. stand in standing meditation but not w/ the hands up w/ it down by ur sides in the other posture i forget the name.
chan san feng didn’t have someone teach him tai chi. he forged it out from hard work by first learning hard styles and then made it soft. people who learn tai chi today have the luxury of learning the soft style right away so if you truly wish to achieve a high level. think abou tit. go loook in nature experiment. keep going going oing and one day you’ll stop for a break and you’ll realize you’re skill has increased many fold!
I sometimes read Sam Wiley’s posts about Erle and it’s always like he’s saying Erle’s the best there is but thena gain Erle’s only the best there is that Sam knows. I’m not saying that chris mkiankjak guy and sam are lying but think about it like this:
“If you climb the tallest mountain you see and reach the summit. Look to the left and right there will be another mountain twice as tall. If you climb that you’ll find another mountain three times as tall.”
moral is that never admit to your greatness or worry about anyone else’s feats. do that and you get bogged down and you’re kung fu stops progressing. well boyz in the hood is back from commercials so gotta go. bye bye