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.

Fitness

 Tai chi chuan training considers 3 areas of fitness:

1. Physical wellbeing- stamina
   - strength
   - resilience
   - flexibility
   - endurance
   - suppleness
    
2. Mental wellbeing
   - self-awareness
   - the capacity to let-go
   - the ability to adapt, change & improvise
    
3. Emotional wellbeing
   - calm
   - detached
   - comfortable
   - without fear
   - being honest with yourself

Poise

Regular tai chi chuan practice dramatically improves posture.
Shoulders drop naturally, the pelvis finds neutral and the spine lengthens in a healthy way.
The chest opens, the neck relaxes and breathing becomes easier and fuller.
The cat-like grace of tai chi chuan encourages agile, strong movement, excellent poise, high energy levels and a feeling of vigour.

Gait

When you watch how most people walk, it is quite alarming. Their steps are often very heavy and their legs are locked and immobile. 
There is a sense of clumsiness.

People frequently walk in an agitated manner; over-striding and erratic. The lower back is inflexible and the sacroiliac does not move correctly.

Tai chi chuan re-trains the body to move naturally and freely.
As a student moves through the syllabus, they are challenged with increasingly sophisticated stepping patterns. This leads to the easy, relaxed grace of a dancer or a large cat. 

The Art of Change

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

Martial stances

Western people tend to weigh more than Chinese performers; and this can present problems when performing exotic stances. Deep knee bends can put strain on the knees and back; leading to long-term injury. Bear in mind also that deep stances are not martial in nature. Martial stances are designed for speed and mobility. They are more upright and do not harm the knees. Flamboyance and showmanship have no place in martial arts practice...