Ultimately, tai chi works on health first of all.
If your body is not strong, fit and balanced, what use is it in self defence?
You may take longer to gain combat skills, but how many other martial arts can be trained almost all of your life?
How many medical studies/journals cite the positive health benefits of tai chi?
Do you read any equivalent journals regarding judo?
Maybe, but it seems doubtful.
In some martial arts you are deemed 'a veteran' by the age of 40. You gracefully retire and become a judge/referee.
Friday
Thursday
Work
Every martial art requires dedication and commitment. There are no shortcuts or exceptions.
Internal or external arts are the same in this regard.
Although the training itself may be markedly different, the need for sustained hard work is the same.
If you expect to use tai chi as a martial art, be prepared to put in the time and effort.
Internal or external arts are the same in this regard.
Although the training itself may be markedly different, the need for sustained hard work is the same.
If you expect to use tai chi as a martial art, be prepared to put in the time and effort.
Wednesday
Topics
We cannot cover every topic every lesson. There is not enough time.
If you are unsure about a topic, then ask.
We can either look at it after 8:00 PM as part of the lesson.
Remember: you must practice and maintain the skill for yourself.
You will not remember a topic if you do not practice it.
If you are unsure about a topic, then ask.
We can either look at it after 8:00 PM as part of the lesson.
Remember: you must practice and maintain the skill for yourself.
You will not remember a topic if you do not practice it.
Family first
It is very common for 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 students were the next consideration.
Everyone else was taught relative to their degree of commitment, and this seldom entailed the secret material.
This is naive.
Traditionally, the secret workings of an art were passed on to family members first.
After family members, lineage students were the next consideration.
Everyone else was taught relative to their degree of commitment, and this seldom entailed the secret material.
Tuesday
No time?
Remember, it is up to you how much or how little you choose to train.
You may want to do a lot. You may not even want to train at home.
That is fine. It is your choice.
You may want to do a lot. You may not even want to train at home.
That is fine. It is your choice.
Monday
Awareness
Be gentle with your body. Treat it with care.
High repetitions and exotic stances are not tai chi training methods.
Train with mindfulness.
With attention.
Pay attention to what you are doing, and train it slowly, thoroughly and cautiously.
If anything feels unpleasant, something is wrong.
High repetitions and exotic stances are not tai chi training methods.
Train with mindfulness.
With attention.
Pay attention to what you are doing, and train it slowly, thoroughly and cautiously.
If anything feels unpleasant, something is wrong.
Sunday
Lazy
It will not get easier.
If you are lazy now, expect difficulties ahead of you.
We are expecting your fitness level to improve as you move up the curriculum.
This should happen naturally.
You grow stronger, fitter and far more capable.
But it will not happen by itself.
If you are lazy now, expect difficulties ahead of you.
We are expecting your fitness level to improve as you move up the curriculum.
This should happen naturally.
You grow stronger, fitter and far more capable.
But it will not happen by itself.
Saturday
Gentle
The trick with tai chi is to keep your training mild.
It is not a gym workout.
You are not meant to be sweating and straining.
Go easy on yourself.
Little and often is the key.
If the training is gentle but works your muscles nicely, then it is easy to sustain and your energy levels will stay high.
Overdo-it and you will suffer from fatigue, aching joints and sore muscles.
It is not a gym workout.
You are not meant to be sweating and straining.
Go easy on yourself.
Little and often is the key.
If the training is gentle but works your muscles nicely, then it is easy to sustain and your energy levels will stay high.
Overdo-it and you will suffer from fatigue, aching joints and sore muscles.
Friday
Form
This is the cornerstone of your tai chi training.
If you are neglecting to practice this daily at home, then you are missing out on a major training opportunity.
The form offers you a chance to train everything at the same time.
If you are neglecting to practice this daily at home, then you are missing out on a major training opportunity.
The form offers you a chance to train everything at the same time.
Thursday
Western
In the Western world we have no conception of how hard Chinese and Japanese people traditionally train.
We are soft and lazy.
Our culture is idle and pampered. We want everything doing for us.
In the martial arts, the hardship and the work is the whole point of the training.
You are not working towards a goal. You are simply working.
We are soft and lazy.
Our culture is idle and pampered. We want everything doing for us.
In the martial arts, the hardship and the work is the whole point of the training.
You are not working towards a goal. You are simply working.
Wednesday
Qigong
If you train the qigong exercises at home every day, your chest will open and you will start to develop greater strength.
You will breathe more deeply and your endurance will improve.
There will be a notable change in your physical appearance.
You will breathe more deeply and your endurance will improve.
There will be a notable change in your physical appearance.
Tuesday
Dreamy
The less you try, the more will happen.
'Folding' and 'sung' will be introduced in the experienced syllabus.
These two qualities are passive; they are allowing rather than doing.
They teach you to 'step out of your own way' and let the tai chi do its work.
As a beginner you must learn to relax.
Do your moves in an almost dreamy manner; drifting rather than forcing.
Pause regularly and allow your weight to settle.
Power will grow imperceptibly.
'Folding' and 'sung' will be introduced in the experienced syllabus.
These two qualities are passive; they are allowing rather than doing.
They teach you to 'step out of your own way' and let the tai chi do its work.
As a beginner you must learn to relax.
Do your moves in an almost dreamy manner; drifting rather than forcing.
Pause regularly and allow your weight to settle.
Power will grow imperceptibly.
Monday
More to life than money
The philosophical side of tai chi suits the older mind. You have lived a little, and you can look back and contemplate. What you explore in the tai chi has context, it can be applied to the fabric of your life.
There is more to life than money. Instead of having a mid-life crisis, learn tai chi. Do something practical.
There is more to life than money. Instead of having a mid-life crisis, learn tai chi. Do something practical.
Sunday
Theatrical?
Tai chi is often seen as being a bit 'theatrical'.
It lacks the apparent brutality of boxing or karate.
The emphasis is upon gentle qualities: softness, yielding, receptivity and openness.
Ask yourself: do these indicate fear?
Which characteristics suggest fear: a tense, locked, hunched body or a friendly, relaxed, open one?
It lacks the apparent brutality of boxing or karate.
The emphasis is upon gentle qualities: softness, yielding, receptivity and openness.
Ask yourself: do these indicate fear?
Which characteristics suggest fear: a tense, locked, hunched body or a friendly, relaxed, open one?
Saturday
Yang
The standard Yang set today is Yang Cheng Fu's final revision of 85 postures, which he demonstrated in his book published in 1936. Most of the other books published since then, including many Western ones, are either variations or reflections of the author's own personal expression of the set.
One should note that right from its creation, Yang tai chi has always been combat-oriented. Yang Cheng Fu always emphasised that the set should be practiced with its martial applications in mind. These applications may be taught through the fast set, individual posture explanations, tui shou (push hands), san shou (fixed-step sparring) and san da (free sparring).
(Alex Yeo)
One should note that right from its creation, Yang tai chi has always been combat-oriented. Yang Cheng Fu always emphasised that the set should be practiced with its martial applications in mind. These applications may be taught through the fast set, individual posture explanations, tui shou (push hands), san shou (fixed-step sparring) and san da (free sparring).
(Alex Yeo)
Friday
Completed by 3rd form!
Today I finished learning the pattern of the sabre form. I'm really happy. It was hard work but seems quite short in hindsight. Learning the YCF and baguazhang palm changes was much harder!
Thursday
Out of joint
Modern life is filled with distractions that distort your perception of reality and make you feel strung out and tired.
Television, computers, junk food, noisy neighbours, work, videogames, mobile phones, driving and family problems can all make you feel unhappy and agitated.
It is important to find ways to earth yourself. To be centred once again and complete.
To find stillness and quiet. To rest. To stop. Exotic practices are not required.
You do not need to join some esoteric meditation group.
You can find tranquillity and balance without even leaving your house.
Television, computers, junk food, noisy neighbours, work, videogames, mobile phones, driving and family problems can all make you feel unhappy and agitated.
It is important to find ways to earth yourself. To be centred once again and complete.
To find stillness and quiet. To rest. To stop. Exotic practices are not required.
You do not need to join some esoteric meditation group.
You can find tranquillity and balance without even leaving your house.
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