Rachel gains 'advanced' instructor membership

Rachel has a black belt in taekwondo, a purple belt in kung fu and now an instructor rank in taijiquan.
Please join me in congratulating Rachel!

This morning Rachel received confirmation from the Tai Chi Union for Great Britain to say that they have awarded her an 'advanced' instructor membership.
Their decision is subject to final approval/ratification at the next general meeting.

Qualifying criteria:

- 5 years as assistant instructor
- taijiquan slow form (regular & mirrored)
- sabre form (regular & mirrored)
- 2-person stick form (regular & mirrored)
- staff form (regular & mirrored)
- walking stick form (regular & mirrored)
- jian form (regular & mirrored)
- qigong (various)
- pushing hands (various)
- meditation (various)
- theory & philosophy
- neigong (various)
- stick drills (20)
- broadsword drills (15)
- self defence
- small san sau, silk arms, penetrating defences
- shuai jiao applications
- chin na applications
- form applications
- baguazhang palm changes (form), circle walking, mother palms, 9 palaces etc
- women's self defence (including syllabus design)
- bag work
- floor work
- self-massage (100)
- tao yin
- psoas exercises
- blog
- creating webpages
- administrating class
- registering new starters
- inducting new starters
- preparing the hall for class
- organising social events
- hosting social events

Rachel is currently working to improve her form, neigong, martial skill (kung fu), along with theory & philosophy.

The TCUGB membership means that Rachel can acquire her own insurance if she wanted to teach students/classes independently.

It also means that our students now have the benefit of 2 qualified instructors in the one training hall.

Celebrating the Start of Training Year with moon cake

A couple of days ago, sitting in the train, I read the part about Girl's Night self defence from the information you send me. I laughed out loud a couple of times, people around me wondering what was the matter....

Well, this: apart from the fact that I really like the pointy, dry, kind of merciless humour of the text (is that correct English?), I find the involvement of tights and a real man to work with/on - amazingly convincing. The right ingredients. Together, of course, with the Asian/martial and multi-layered approach. I haven't read or heard anything of this kind before. It inspires me.

It is simply not acceptable that women and girls suffer from men's bad behaviour, in whatever way. It is simply not acceptable that we are kept naive.

I had to Google what Haarlem and surrounding areas had on offer for women's self defence. Most courses are Krav Maga or of the 'tips & tricks'- style. And: nothing for girls!!

I am inspired and thinking... I might have to do something about this. I still have to learn a lot myself, but, who knows - a seed is planted. I let you know.

(Saskia)

Medical proof

The Harvard Medical School Guide to Tai Chi is one of many reputable records detailing how taijiquan can improve the health of virtually anybody.
Extensive testing around the world suggests that taijiquan is the nearest thing we have to the 'perfect exercise'.

Although the benefits of taijiquan emerge gradually over time, they are significant and long-lasting.
Taijiquan can be practiced throughout most of your life.

I really enjoyed Girl's Night, it was a real eye opener - just seeing those techniques which don't involve much physical strength but are so effective was really empowering. I think you're right, learning how to do it almost 'instinctively' is the aim. A great class; the first time I've actually thought self defence was realistic and possible.

(Karen Laws)

Start of the Training Year meal 2014

The centre

Neigong movement is initiated by the centre (not by the hips) and entails moving every part of the body as one fluid unit.
This may sound straightforward but involves years of re-training the muscles.

Ultimately, the joints will do far less work - reducing wear & tear - and the soft tissue (muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia) do more.
The muscles remain relaxed (not tensed) at all times.  

Tai chi chuan training

Most people don't realise that tai chi started life as a martial art...
150 years ago tai chi chuan was the pinnacle of the Chinese martial arts.
Hard to believe?

Tai chi chuan is only taught to students who join the school:

• Kung fu (combat)
• Self defence
• Weapons
• Qigong (energy work)
• Neigong (whole-body strength)
• Forms
• Pushing hands
• Meditation
• Theory & philosophy
• Chin na (seizing)
• Shuai jiao (take downs)
• Jing
• Form applications
• Kicks, punches, palm strikes
• Finger strikes, elbows, knees
• Accuracy
• Evasive footwork
• Optimal use of alignment
• Minimal movement
• Conservation of energy
• Defence against a knife
• Multiple opponents/gangs
• Joint locks
• Trapping
• Focus
• Stickiness
• Physical sensitivity and awareness
• Balance, rhythm and timing
• Throws
• Escape from holds
• Close-range combat
• Grappling
• Defence whilst on the floor

What do school members get for their money?

• Attend once or twice a week 
• Train up to 2 hours a night
• Fully-differentiated syllabus 
• Authentic skills 
• High quality tuition • Professional learning environment
• Extensive range of skills available  • Address individual health concerns & training requirements
• Extremely thorough exploration of the art(s)
• Study new material every week
• Work through the full curriculum
• Receive regular corrections, tips & pointers
• Request bespoke tuition
• Access to highly detailed school DVDs
• Discuss taijiquan theory and related philosophies with Master Waller
• Attend workshops, boot camp and class social events • Advanced level of understanding
• Follows the teachings of the Tai Chi Classics
• Explore 1300 page on-line taijiquan database with guidance from Master Waller

Chinese way

Taijiquan and qigong offer an interesting way to exercise the body.
The work feels to be so mild that it is hard to believe that anything is really happening.

There is no sweating, straining or panting for breath.
There is gain without pain.

Pay-as-you-go

Pay-as-you-go students focus upon qigong, form and partner work exercises.
The benefits will affect your everyday life:

• Get fit
• Increase stamina and endurance
• Gain an unusual form of strength 
• Stress-relief 
• A calm mind and composed emotions
• Mobile joints, relaxed muscles and natural movement• Boost energy
• Improved balance
• Use millennia old Chinese wisdom in everyday life   
• Meditation 
• Confidence and resourcefulness
• Improved skeletal alignment, poise and coordination

The exercises are low impact, do not strain the body and can be practiced by people of all ages.
The training starts simple but becomes more challenging as you progress.

One face for giving and one face for taking

This Chinese saying means that people often perform the right actions and say the right things when they want something.
They are pleasant and polite.

 Yet, when asked for something in return, they are aloof and distant.

Huge risk

Undertaking lineage is a huge risk for a student.
 They are being offered absolutely everything that the master knows and can teach.
 This is wonderful.

 But, if the student fails to uphold their end of the bargain, they are in a bad spot.
 Essentially, they are rejecting the totality of the syllabus.
 Should the student seek to remain with the school, this poses obvious problems.
 
 Having being offered everything and declined, what now is the student expecting from the master?
 Are they hoping to cherry pick from the syllabus?

What is exercise?

In order to exercise the body a person must work the muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones, nerves and cardiovascular system in a coordinated manner.
There are many different approaches.
The Western way is usually to push and punish the body.
The taoist method is to treat the body with care and respect; to work the body gently and carefully.

I really enjoyed Girl's Night, it was a real eye opener - just seeing those techniques which don't involve much physical strength but are so effective was really empowering. I think you're right, learning how to do it almost 'instinctively' is the aim. A great class; the first time I've actually thought self defence was realistic and possible.
(Karen Laws)

Girl's Night

Rachel has designed a women-specific self defence syllabus which offers realistic scenarios and a wide range of practical skills that work.
Students learn how to intuitively target vulnerable areas on a man's body.
Counter-intuitive but logical, the training methods explore effective ways to 'reverse' dangerous situations.

Learn how to become dominant, rather than the victim.

What is strength?

This is an interesting question.
In the internal martial arts, the idea of 'strength' encompasses a wide range of physical and mental abilities.
Strength is the ability to cope, to endure, to sustain, to see alternatives, to move skilfully, to deliver power, to see harmonious options instead of conflictive ones.

In kung fu, having strength of character is as important as physical prowess.

Stamina & endurance

Kung fu training is renowned for improving stamina and endurance.
Students can concentrate longer and sustain prolonged physical activity without fatigue.
They gain the ability to withstand hardship and cope with difficulty.



Having looked around for tai chi lessons for mainly health but also martial applications, what I found immediately obvious with Master Waller was the practical "real" teaching. None of the flowery waving arms about, but real scientifically provable methods to aid health and engage martial capability.

In my life free time is in short supply; I want a class where I get value for money and concentrated pure teaching, Newcastle Tai Chi meets both these objectives.
(Damian)

Comparing schools

Martial arts schools may appear to be offering the same arts as one another: tai chi chuan, kung fu, self defence, baguazhang, shuai jiao, chin na, qigong...But are they offering exactly the same arts? Are they teaching the same skills? The same syllabus?No.
Every teacher is different. Every school is different. The chances are that you are not comparing like with like.
Consider:
What is the school's speciality?
Do they have a detailed syllabus in place?
Is the art authentic?
Can you read reviews/feedback?
Are they interested in the philosophical side of the art?
What is the age group in the class?
Does the school seem to be welcoming and friendly?
Is the school macho?
What is the emphasis: sport/competition/MMA/self defence/traditional teaching?

Don't know something?

Don't know what something means? That is fine, and good. 
See it as an opportunity to grow and expand.

Simply saying that you don't know and then stopping signifies an unwillingness to change, to evolve as a person, surely?

We all encounter things every day that we don't understand or don't know about.
Be curious. 
Explore.
Learn.
Expand your horizons.
Dare to grow, to change.
Don't just talk.

Confucius said:

"I do not enlighten those who are not eager to learn, nor arouse those who are not quick to give an explanation themselves.

If I have presented one corner of the square and they cannot come back to me with the other three, I should not go over the points again."

See this as a friendly challenge. An invitation to broaden yourself?

In friendship,

Master Waller

Yoga & tai chi

People sometimes muddle-up tai chi and yoga.
It is common to see yoga postures labelled "tai chi" on Pinterest, Facebook etc.
Such confusion is only possible when a person has studied neither yoga nor tai chi chuan, for the arts are very different indeed.

Yoga is about stretching, balancing and physical unity. Tai chi chuan is a style of kung fu; a martial art.
The differences significantly outweigh any superficial similarities.

Is tai chi easy?

If tai chi feels to be easy, then you have not been training the authentic art.
No form of exercise is easy.
If it isn't a challenge, then it isn't exercise. And it sure isn't tai chi.
Tai chi works your body at a greater intensity than your usual level of daily activity.You become fitter and stronger.
As you adapt to meet the demands of the training, the tai chi becomes more difficult; encouraging constant growth and development.  



Is tai chi chuan easy?

Tai chi chuan is a martial art, and martial arts are particularly demanding; requiring the student to significantly increase their strength, agility, endurance and speed.
The challenges are both physical and mental.

Tai chi for free...

A lot of people in the UK expect to learn tai chi for free. In fact, there are a number of teachers who offer free tuition.
It may be worth looking closely at what is on offer:
Are they offering tai chi chuan (martial art), tai chi for health, tai chi-style exercise or qigong?
Is it tai chi for the over 50's?
When did the teacher start practicing tai chi?
How long has the teacher been offering lessons?
Who did they learn the art from?
Is the school teaching a recognised style of tai chi?
Do they offer the 8 areas of study?
Are you discovering the essence of the art?
Free does not necessarily mean authentic.
When something has value, people seldom want to give it away for free.

The perfect exercise

In modern life, time is in short supply and a person wants to get the best possible benefits from any new endeavour they undertake.
Harvard Medical School suggests that taijiquan may indeed be the perfect exercise.
It combines 8 crucial ingredients:

1. Awareness (including mindfulness & focussed attention)
2. Intention
3. Structural integration
4. Active relaxation
5. Strengthening & flexibility
6. Natural, freer breathing
7. Social support
8. Embodied spirituality (including philosophy)

These 8 taijiquan components offer a multi-layered approach to the cultivation of health, vitality and wellbeing.
The depth of study available within a bona fide system of taijiquan is incredible; a student can quite literally explore the art for their entire lifetime and still discover new mysteries, secrets and skills.

As a martial art, taijiquan is unparalleled in its sophisticated biomechanics, diversity of combat skills and variety of application.

Sport

Sport can be significantly more expensive than martial arts training. And sometimes cheaper too.

How much does the clothing cost?
How much are running/training shoes?
Gym membership?
Pilates lessons?
Personal trainer?
A season ticket?

As with all things, the cost of something is relative to what you think is appropriate and what you are prepared/willing to pay...

Expenses

Martial arts lessons typically involve a range of expenses. Some are obvious, some are not.
Usually you should expect to pay for some (or all) of these items:

1. Monthly tuition fees
2. Annual membership
3. Quarterly grading
4. Affiliation with a third party organisation/federation
5. Insurance
6. Licence
7. Competitions
8. Uniform
9. Patches/badges
10. Equipment/weaponry
11. Instructional DVDs
12. Books/training manuals

Many classes expect new students to buy a uniform within a month of starting a class. The new starter is often asked to pay annual membership, insurance and commit to a monthly standing order.



Fa jing

http://news.stanford.edu/news/2008/may7/med-taichi-050708.html

14 times his body weight. Really think about that...
Let's assume he weighs at least 10 stones.

10 stones x 14 = 140 stones.

Lineage disciple

It is very common for tai chi students to imagine that private lessons and long-term practice with an instructor guarantees receipt of the inner teachings. This is naive.
Traditionally, the secret workings of an art were passed on to family members first. After family members, lineage disciples were the next consideration.
Everyone else was taught relative to their degree of commitment, and this seldom entailed the secret material.

A disciple of tai chi chuan is not an ordinary student. By definition, a 'disciple' follows and disseminates a teaching. In this case; tai chi chuan.
The keenest students will be asked if they are willing to make the commitment to learn everything the master has to offer. A lineage disciple is responsible for keeping the art alive.

Not many students will get to be a lineage disciple. It is not a matter of playing favourites. It is a question of priorities and commitment. Ultimately, the choice lies with the student.
Anyone can become a lineage disciple. We do not discriminate.
Our evaluation is based on ability, attendance, attitude, progress and a willingness to pass on the teaching to others.

Instructor

At some stage, the serious student begins a lengthy teacher training program.It begins with helping out with the class: preparing the hall, registering new students, leading the qigong group, assisting junior students.
Next, they become involved with promoting the school and social networking.

If the student shows aptitude and a genuine interest in other people, they begin to learn how to break the syllabus down into digestible pieces.
The process of passing-on knowledge requires the student to re-think their own tai chi and examine how to explain things in a manner that makes sense to somebody else.
This takes time and necessitates the watchful guidance of a skilled master.
Eventually, syllabus design, lesson planning, class management and the dynamics of running a small business are considered.
In order to teach any subject, an instructor needs to fulfil certain requirements:

1. Subject knowledge- the information the instructor plans to impart
    
2. Experience
   - a good instructor should have at least 10,000 hours of practice behind them- at least 100 private lessons with the master
   - the instructor should be practicing (by themselves) more than 2 hours a day
    
3. Teaching skills
   - the ability to explain things logically and thoroughly
   - reasoning
   - articulate
   - engaging
   - awareness
   - compassion
   - humour
   - patience
   - differentiation
   - time management
    
4. A goal
   - aim, objective
   - purpose of the lesson
    
5. A syllabus
   - defining the components that will enable a student to achieve the objective
   - a path leading to the knowledge
   - a scheme of work
   - how the student will proceed
    
6. Topics
   - breakdown of the syllabus into modules of information
   - logical building blocks
   - small steps along the path
   - teach according to the students ability to learn
    
7. Discrete lessons
   - a lesson is an opportunity to explore a given skill
   - examples must be provided
   - thought-provoking
   - stimulating
   - encourage enthusiasm and participation
   - engage the student
   - allow for different ability levels
    
8. Proof
   - examinations, tests, grading
   - pressure-testing
   - an increasing scale of hardship

Misconception

A common misconception is that any martial art offers the opportunity to reach an 'internal' level of practice i.e. a karate man can become internal.
This is not true.

Internal forms are quite different to external ones.
They were designed to be a vehicle for the practice of a very unique way of moving and using the body.
Movement is initiated by the centre (not by the hips) and entails moving every part of the body as one fluid unit. The joints do very little work.

The combat skills and sensibilities of the internal martial arts require a perceptual shift: blending, yielding, listening, stickiness. 
There is no blocking, struggling or forcing involved.

The centre

Neigong movement is initiated by the centre (not by the hips) and entails moving every part of the body as one fluid unit.
This may sound straightforward but involves years of re-training the muscles.

Ultimately, the joints will do far less work - reducing wear & tear - and the soft tissue (muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia) do more.
The muscles remain relaxed (not tensed) at all times.

Interlocking & interconnected

Master Waller has designed the syllabus so that everything is interlocking and interconnected.
The syllabus is like an enormous jigsaw.

The 8 areas of study are taught incrementally.
A student gradually learns how to use their body in a more disciplined, sensitive, efficient manner.

Tai Chi Classics

There are certain things that every tai chi student should know.
This knowledge and ability will enable the student to follow the teachings outlined in the Tai Chi Classics.

Strict adhesion to the classics assures correct practice of tai chi, regardless of what style you practice.

Further reading?

• The Essence of Tai Chi Chuan - The Literary Tradition by Lo et al
• Tai Chi Secrets of the Ancient Masters by Yang Jwing-Ming
• Tai Chi Chuan: The Internal Tradition by Ron Sieh
• The Tai Chi Journey by John Lash
• The Tai Chi Book by Robert Chuckrow
• Neijiaquan: The Inner School

The real deal

A tai chi chuan syllabus must teach these items in a logical, systematic, incremental manner.

Each item warrants considerable study.
Incorporating the skills into your practice is no small endeavour and will require a lot of hard work.

Once your master has confirmed that you can do everything on the list, you will be following the Tai Chi Classics.
Your tai chi chuan will be the real thing.

Can you do it?

Many tai chi students have heard of the items included on this list. They may know what each item refers to. They may be able to talk about them in detail.
But can they actually manifest the skills?This is what matters.

In taoism and zen, talk is cheap. Doing is what matters.

Tai Chi Master

Mastering tai chi requires the following:

• A lifelong commitment to the furtherance of the art
• Spontaneous demonstration of every and any aspect of the art
• The ability to train other people to become Tai Chi Instructors
• An embodiment of the principles outlined in the Tai Chi Classics
• Highly accurate rendition of every exercise/form/drill/application
• Extensive knowledge of every facet of every subject in the syllabus i.e. 'jing'
• An in-depth understanding of every facet of the exercise/form/drill/application
• How the exercise/form/drill/application links to other aspects of the curriculum
• The ability to dismantle and explain how and why the different components operate
• Grace, ease, subtlety, sensitivity, nimbleness, appropriateness, simplicity are all a given
• The willingness to train disciples to acquire every aspect of the teaching and perpetuate the art themselves
• Unselfconscious, skilled and utterly effective application of the art in combat employing chin na, jing and shuai jiao
• The ability to develop, improve and deliver a thorough, fully differentiated syllabus suitable for all ability levels and all ages
• The ability to dismantle and explain how and why every form posture operates and how it can be applied in at least 7 different ways
• Comprehensive theoretical knowledge and the ability to discuss and explain how taoism, martial theory and actual practice all tie together
• The ability to apply the tai chi principles (yielding, stickiness, peng, jing, composure, connection, 4 ounces etc) in every situation with absolute ease and certainty

If you can't do it, you don't know it.
(Mike Sigman) 

The essence of the art

Every tai chi student in the world should be working towards acquiring these abilities and knowledge:

1. 4 ounces of pressure
2. 5 centres
3. 6 balanced pairs
4. 13 postures
5. Accord
6. Blending
7. Central equilibrium
8. Chin na (seizing): misplacing the bones, dividing the muscles, sealing the breath & cavity press
9. Close-range combat
10. Composure
11. Connection
12. Conservation of energy
13. Double weightedness (avoidance of)
14. Fa jing
15. Filing
16. Folding
17. Freeform triangle
18. Groundpath
19. How to apply every form posture martially
    - at least 7 different ways
    - in a thorough & convincing manner
    - using shuai jiao, chin na & jing
    - in keeping with the Tai Chi Classics
20. Invest in loss
21. Jing
22. Lead into emptiness
23. Listening
24. The meaning and application of the Tai Chi Classics
25. The meaning and application of the martial classics
    - The Art of War
    - The Book of Five Rings
    - 36 Strategies
26. The meaning and application of the taoist classics
    - The Way and Its Power
    - The Way of Chuang Tzu
    - The Book of Changes
27. Mindfulness
28. Moving from the centre
29. Mutual arising
30. Opening & closing
31. Optimal use of alignment and structure
32. Peng
33. Practical applications of yielding
34. Reeling silk
35. Reverse breathing
36. Shen
37. Sinking & rooting
38. Small circle movement
39. Spontaneity
40. Stickiness
41. Strategy & tactics
42. Substantial & insubstantial
43. Sung
44. Tzu-jan (of itself so)
45. Uniting upper & lower
46. Weaponry
47. Whole-body movement
48. Wu nien (not preparing)
49. Wu wei (not forcing)
50. Yin/yang

Please see Neijiaquan: The Inner School website for an explanation of much of this material.

This list is not comprehensive or exhaustive; it merely serves as an illustration. Many more skills might have been included.
Other tai chi schools might consider additional skills to be equally important.

Find the essence

A tai chi student seeks to explore all 8 areas of study.

The experience will be quite an adventure; demanding patience, tenacity, enthusiasm and curiosity.
There are many mysteries to be explored and secrets to be uncovered.
Within these areas of study there are at least 50 things that every tai chi student should know. 

Instructing

The process of passing-on knowledge requires the student to re-think their own tai chi and examine how to explain things in a manner that makes sense to somebody else.
This leads to a better understanding of the art.
Teacher training takes time and necessitates the watchful guidance of a skilled master.

Neigong

Tai chi chuan requires the student to move the body in an unusual manner.
Many students never realise this and practice the art as though it were yoga, wing chun or karate.
As a student progresses through the syllabus, the neigong concerns become increasingly intricate and subtle: with a small movement producing a disproportionately large effect.

Kung fu

Kung fu study is about learning how to use the tai chi chuan.
Without this knowledge and ability, a student is doomed to practice a meaningless set of movements that serve no real purpose.

Theory & philosophy

Correct practice of tai chi chuan requires the student to follow the teachings outlined in the Tai Chi Classics.
A wide variety of skills must be incorporated into your training.

Physical qualities include:
- 4 ounces, 6 balanced pairs, 13 postures, fa jing, folding, groundpath, opening & closing, reeling silk, shen, softness, substantial & insubstantial, sung, yielding
Taoist insights include:
- change, mutual arising, tao, te, tzu-jan, wu nien, wu wei, yin/yang

Meditation

The aim of every serious martial artist is to be one with the moment, with what is happening. To be spontaneous, adaptive and responsive.

This requires the student to attain mindfulness, calm the mind and settle the emotions.

Keen students

 The more serious tai chi student looks deeper into the art: 

1. Qigong
2. Form
3. Pushing hands
4. Meditation
5. Theory & philosophy
6. Kung fu (martial skill)
7. Neigong (whole-body strength)
8. Instructing

Exploring all 8 areas of study will offer a balanced comprehension of the art.

What do most tai chi people study?

Qigong

Qigong offers new students an opportunity to improve their health, balance and coordination without being encumbered by the technical intricacies of form.
Virtually anyone can learn qigong.

Form

Form is a training tool for whole-body movement and martial sensibilities.It enables the practitioner to train multiple skills in a systematic way without the need for additional exercises.

Pushing hands

Pushing hands provides an opportunity for biofeedback.
The student is required to incorporate a wide range of technical skills in a relatively risk free training exercise.


A good beginning

Studying qigong, form and pushing hands is fundamental...

However, if this is all you study, it can lead to problems.
Much is missing from your training, and this can lead to misconceptions, incorrect focus and a superficial grasp of the art.

What do most tai chi people study?

Every tai chi student around the world studies:

1. Qigong (energy/breath work)
2. Form
3. Pushing hands

Studying these 3 areas is important.

The Art of Balance

http://www.newcastletaichi.co.uk/art_of_balance.htm

Mental stimulation

There is growing scientific evidence that the brain can be kept healthy and functioning as we grow older.
Challenging existing modes of thought, dropping long-held opinions and learning new skills causes the body to grow new brain tissue to cope with the demands of change.

The syllabus taught by our school was designed to promote mental acuity and encourage a more flexible brain. Master Waller's diverse curriculum engages the curiosity of the student with thought-provoking insights, new discoveries and unforeseen possibilities.