45 degree angles, hip square
Sun Di and Moy Lin Shin both learned Lok Hup and Tai Chi from Leung Tze Pang. After the death of Leung in 1974, Moy and Sun continued to work together whenever Mr. Moy visited Hong Kong. Sun Di was known in Hong Kong as an accomplished master of Tsing Yi and was well known for his Push Hands prowess.
in Hong Kong 1978.
Through both videos and pictures from Hong Kong visits, we see a form that parallels Moy Lin Shin. Sun’s video from 1978 introduces an additional element, driving movements forward by dropping the hip and pushing the front knee past 90 degrees. This is a hint of an advanced technique requiring increased flexibility and strength in the joints. It should not be confused with a common beginner-intermediate error of letting the front knee go beyond 90 degrees without dropping the hip.
The Lok Hup video of Sun Di on YouTube (Link) also shows the continuous motion of the second half, reminiscent of Leung Tze Pang’s continuous motion. While Moy Lin Shin wanted to teach Lok Hup in this style, he regretted most students’ skill level was inadequate for the task and told us to work harder
Part of the “tweaking” of our tai chi was his years of experience practising with Mr.Yeung, his chi kung teacher. It was said Mr. Yeung told Mr. Moy he could teach what he had learned, but not until Mr. Yeung had died. When Mr. Yeung was asked, “What is chi kung?” he responded, “Man has been trying to answer that for 3000 years.” He did add however, that internal martial arts work from the outside of the body in, whereas chi kung works from the inside of the body out.
I have written this short piece to help others understand the foundation of the health value andheritage of a giftpassed down from Mr. Moy’s teaching and those before him. Mr. Moy knew exactly what he was teaching. His teaching was flexible, in that it varied according to the level of his audience and his purpose at the time. Some saw his martial skill(paralyzing you with a few fingers on your arm). Others saw him mainly as an organizer with little connection to his art. I believe we unknowingly witnessed and were party to a rare experience of valuable Chinese history & culture derived from some of the most respected martial artists in China and Hong Kong.
I appreciate your comments and questions about this content. D.O.