The traditional Yang Style of Tai Chi Chuan (Taijiquan; Taiji Quan) comprises diverse elements, each demanding a different approach and drawing on different resources from within the student. All of these elements, however, are built on the Tai Chi Chuan Principles, which form the basic frame of reference of this system.
Within each of the different disciplines that are taught, therefore, students will regularly be brought back to these fundamental Principles in order to help them discover the Internal system of training and bring them to the point where they are can perform the different routines and tests of Tai Chi Chuan Internally and not Externally.
In addition to all of the classical Tai Chi Chuan Principles, the student will be introduced to the Transmissions gained directly from my master and from both documented and oral transmissions from the Yang family. These teachings are complemented by a wealth of Elucidations on form, structure and movement based on tried and tested observations from over 23 years of my own research and practice.
This system is broadly divided into the following elements:
The Form
Breathing
Chi Kung (Qi Gong)
Pushing Hands (Push Hands)
Two-Person Set Routines
Two-Person Test of the Form - Applications
Weapons Training in Sword, Broadsword, Stick and Spear
Meditation
Taoist Relaxation Exercises
At the core of Tai Chi Chuan study is Form training. In this fundamental discipline, the student repeatedly practises and refines each of the postures that comprise the original Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan Long Form (Medium Frame).
Since progress in Tai Chi Chuan is dependent upon the structure of the body, primary emphasis is placed on posture and the alignment of the body’s parts during teaching, practice and performance of the Form. Regular individual corrections to the postures will be given to each student, which is an on-going process and will extend throughout their life in the school. As the student progresses, increasing levels of detail will be introduced with more and more subtlety and refinement in body structure and the relationships between the different parts of the body.
More advanced levels of the Form will be presented to the student as they progress, following the classical Yang family system. These will include:
With this Form, the postures and interconnecting movements are studied and refined in context with the Taoist principles of Yin and Yang theory, so that the Form becomes more aligned to these identifiable elements. Emphasis is placed on harmonising the movements within the boundaries defined by the laws of Yin and Yang so that it becomes a smoother, more economical Form.
This is a complex and deep traditional Form, which for many years, was held as a secret by the Yang family and is rare to be found in this extensive transmission that is taught in my school. With this perspective of the Form, the postures and interconnecting movements are studied and refined in context with the inner secrets of the Yang family, which when applied to the Form, creates very powerful, contained and seemless movements. This Form, when practised correctly, facilitates the increase of Chi within the body and needs to be learned and practised to a good standard before applications of Tai Chi Chuan can be effective.
This is a more advanced Form to the Yin Yang Form, which is now taught again in greater detail, giving a deeper, clearer insight into the Yin and Yang understanding of the movements of the body.
A more advanced and deeper Form which will only be learned after the previously mentioned Forms can be demonstrated to a good standard. This is a rarely seen form as practiced in this school.
There are a number of other higher-level forms that are only taught when the student can demonstrate that the earlier lessons have been learned. Over time, all aspects of the body - hard and soft tissues, body fluids and nerve activity will all come under review with exercise to control and harmonise these functions as part of the work towards the develoment and control of the Chi
In addition, some Small Frame movements in application will be taught both through demonstration and test. The complete Small Frame or Small Circle Form will be taught only to the most advanced students.
Once the student has learned the Form at the first level, the testing of stationary postures and the transition between postures will be introduced in conjunction with more refined levels of Form corrections, as part of the ongoing study of Tai Chi Chuan. These tests and corrections occur at all levels with increasing levels of refinement. The tests are designed to help the student discover at a feeling level the correct position and to begin to understand the Internal aspect of Tai Chi Chuan
Precision of the Form is vital if the practitioner hopes to gain any benefit from, or effective application of Tai Chi Chuan. At all levels the student is brought back to this central theme as the importance of correct Form structures and transitions between these structures is emphasised.
It is my aim to offer, at the very first level, a standard and quality of Form and posture corrections, that will provide the student with a useful and effective system from which they can experience some early benefit.
The specific method and patterns of breathing in Tai Chi Chuan are taught after the Centre Form has been learned. Only at this point will the student have sufficient control over the interior of the body and soft tissues, to enable breathing to be directed and controlled directly by the will. This should coincide with the student having succeeded in eliminating any major areas of Blocking and Wasting of the Chi.
Much of the success of Yang style Tai Chi Chuan in combat is attributed to the advancements in Chi Kung made by the Yang masters. Their method of Chi Kung has historically been a very closely guarded secret within the Yang Family and at one time, its very existence was a secret. Chi Kung, in combination with the Form, comprises the core of Tai Chi Chuan.
Chi Kung is the collective group of postures of specific structure, which, at the first level, principally involves stationary positions that are held for varying periods of time. This discipline will be introduced once the complete Form has been learned for the first time.
Traditionally 8 Chi Kung positions are taught at the first level. Over time, the more advanced students will be introduced to some of the lesser known Chi Kung sets and some of the rare Chi Kungs that have specific targets and uses.
As with the Form postures, the precision of the postures held during Chi Kung is vital in order to gain any benefit from this system. From its introduction, therefore, great care is taken in providing a clear guide to holding the correct structures in Chi Kung. Each student will receive individual correction during practice, based on their own physical capabilities and personal requirements. This will allow the student to gain some early benefit from practising Chi Kung.
Even at the elementary level, when performed correctly, Chi Kung noticeably raises the vitality and quality of energy in the body.
At the first level, this system is used for balancing the energy of the body, whilst slowly developing the Chi (Qi), complementing and amplifying the Chi building effects of the Form. At more advanced levels, Chi Kung will be part of the meditation exercises.
As the student progresses, Chi Kung will include methods of addressing, controlling and directing the Chi, and the integration of breathing methods specific to Tai Chi Chuan. For the most senior students, after further study and development, Chi Kung will be used in the development of the Mind Intent (Yi; Yee) in the application of Tai Chi Chuan.
Chi Kung is famous for its health benefits and at the highest level of this application, it can be used to target specific ailments and health problems and to promote self-healing.
It should be understood that healing oneself is the first level of self-defence.
Pushing Hands is a generic term for two-person routines that include Single Push Hands and Double Push Hands (Tui Shou - the 4 sides) for both fixed base and moving sequences; Da Lu (the 4 corners) moving sequence; and Small Circle Push Hands. There are a number of other traditional Pushing Hands routines, attributed to the Yang Family, that will also be introduced for practice at appropriate times according to the level of deveopment of the student.
The purpose of Pushing Hands is simply for testing the structures of the Form, to enable the student to achieve a greater understanding of these structures, refining them through this process. This understanding and refinement can then be introduced back into the Form so that better quality movements are produced, leading, in turn, to higher and more refined levels of Chi.
Through these routines students will also develop greater sensitivity to their own body as well as their opponent's and be introduced to concepts like 'listening to' and 'reading' their opponent's energy as well as to understand more of the Internal phenomena of Jing, Chi and Yi.
In this discipline, therefore, the student will strive for the highest level of excellence in executing the specific movements in Pushing Hands, by attempting to maintain form and structure, adhering to all of the Tai Chi Chuan Principles, throughout the routines under the test conditions created by their opponent, who will likewise be attempting to achieve the same objectives.
However there is the additional very important challenge, fundamental to the heart of Tai Chi Chuan and that is to pursue excellence without resorting to a competitive state of mind. Furthermore, to understand that one can strive for and achieve the highest levels of excellence without competing, even in apparent competitive conditions and against opponents that may well have the state of mind to merely win.
It is inappropriate to use Pushing Hands for competition and I do not teach it for this purpose. This exercise was not designed to be used for this purpose and should therefore not be used this way if one is intending to learn Tai Chi Chuan in the traditional way. Excellence can only be achieved without the hindrance of the mind being in competitive mode.
With this understanding prevailing, it is then possible to present to the student, a rich study of this system, that not only translates and gives meaning to all of the Yang family written, oral and direct physical transmissions on Pushing Hands, but also renders the important precepts in the Tao Te Ching and other Taoist works directly into Tai Chi Chuan Applications.
During the sequence of movements in these routines, each student attempts to define and maintain correctly aligned Form structures while passing through the first four of the 8 Roots (fundamental postures), from which all of the postures in the Tai Chi Chuan Form arise and can be associated.
The student is first introduced to fixed base Single Push Hands, this will occur after completion of the Yin Yang Form to a good standard. By this time, the student will have sufficient Tai Chi Chuan knowledge to begin working with in this system.
At the first level, the 64 Medium Circle points are taught in the Single Push Hands routine. Once these can be performed to a good standard, the Small Circle methods are introduced to help the student understand the nature of small circle theory and practice. At this point, the student should have developed sufficient skills and understanding to be able to learn and apply these methods correctly.
Once the Small Circle methods have been learned and can be demonstrated, advanced methods are introduced to teach the higher levels of this art, which include Chi effects on the Chi and on the Internal System and direct Yi effects. These lessons are reserved for the most senior students.
Within the Double Push Hands system, a further group of applications and methods are taught, additional to the Single Push Hands methods. This Pushing Hands routine is taught after the student becomes adept at Single Push Hands.
Once the student becomes proficient at fixed base Pushing Hands, further routines will be introduced, which will include Pushing Hands whilst moving in all the primary directions and ways.
Da Lu is a moving sequence of testing and is centred on the second group of four Roots of the 8 Roots, from which all of the postures in the Tai Chi Chuan Form arise and can be associated. With this routine, as with all of the Pushing Hands systems, the students, while working together in pairs, will be attempting to maintain correct structure of their postures throughout the routine under the test conditions created by their opponent, who will be attempting to achieve the same objectives.
This discipline is taught after Moving Push Hands can be performed to a good standard. They have their own array of methods and applications to be practised and perfected as part of the work with this system.
Small Circle Push Hands is introduced after the student has developed a good grasp of the Small Circle principles worked with during the Push Hands (Tui Shou) routines and can apply these principles in other disciplines. It has its own Form and methods of application to be learned and developed using everything the student has been taught in Tai Chi Chuan up to his point.
Once the student can demonstrate all of the Pushing Hands routines to a good standard and is conversant with the 8 roots and energies of Tai Chi Chuan, these energies will then be worked with in Form applications and self-defence sequences.
A number of choreographed two person routines are included in the corpus of knowledge handed down by the Yang family. Each routine requires the student to learn the Form associated with it and the relationships between the movements and postures of both partners. From these exercises, the student adds further skills and versatility to what he or she can already perform.
These routines will be taught after the student has developed greater control over the body and can work Internally, so that they can be practised in the correct way then the best can be learned from these exercises.
Tai Chi Chuan used for self-defence is designed to require only one or two moves to be effective.
When testing the effectiveness of Tai Chi Chuan as a self-defence system, therefore, only one or two movements of the Form are selected at a time and worked with. These test routines are termed Applications.
The original Yang Style of Tai Chi Chuan combines within its routines many tests. Already mentioned is Pushing Hands. Self-defence Applications. are tested, like Pushing Hands, within two person groups building upon what is already learned within the Pushing Hands routines, but now also include movements where there is no initial or continuous contact contact between the two people.
Appropriate 'attacks' are invited under controlled and disciplined conditions so that the Tai Chi Chuan response can be worked on and perfected. Students know in advance all of the movements being used as well as the speed and direction.
The Applications are used to test a specific sequence from the Form and to work on and refine those movements so that they are performed Internally and not Externally.
These tests are introduced at appropriate and opportune moments once the student has demonstrated he has reached the correct level for this type of test.
As with all of the above tests, the possession of the correct attitude is crucial and a prerequisite before for this type of training can be entered into.
The Straight Two-edged Sword (Jian), the Single-edge Broadsword (Dao) and the Stick (Gan) are the three weapons that offer the student the opportunity to work with and develop the three important and distinct principal types of action and energy in Tai Chi Chuan. Each weapon has its own distinctly different Form and preliminary exercise routines.
The first challenge is learn to manipulate and control each weapon according to its nature and potential actions. This will enable the student to identify and manifest the three types of energy through these weapons.
The next skill to acquire is to become familiar with the weapon being worked with, to the point where it becomes an extension of the body and behaves as if it were a part of your body.
The student works towards being able to send their Chi through the weapon and eventually to project the Chi beyond the body, without the aid of the weapon.
It is important to recognise that the weapons Forms and training routines are not ends in themselves, but rather are tools used to attain higher levels of understanding, development and control of the Chi.
The first weapon Form taught is the Sword Form, Later the Broadsword Form and finally the Stick Form.
The Spear (Quiang) and Pole (Goon) will be taught after the student has achieved a high level of control with the first three weapons.
Meditation at the first level, is used to develop concentration and focus of the mind and therefore begins with learning to maintain concentration on your body during the movements of the Form. This practice also takes place during Chi Kung, with exactly the same objectives and methods, and will be extended to this discipline once Chi Kung has been introduced to the student.
Further work in this meditation centres on learning how to relax both the peripheral and the inner tissues of the body that have unnecessary or unwanted tension.
Through this work, the student will gradually become more aware of and sensitive to, the internal environment of the body and eventually Internal Energy systems.
Higher levels of development will involve the direct movement of the energy with the mind. From this comes the work in Wu Chi training and development of the Mind Intent.
The aim therefore, throughout all of the levels of meditation is to increase awareness and understanding of the body and to strengthen the mind of the practitioner by enhancing the powers of concentration and focus.
There are as many different meditation systems as there are interpretations as to what this term 'meditation' really means. Furthermore, there are many modern misunderstandings about meditation, how it works and what it can achieve. Work with this discipline therefore centres on establishing the correct understanding and foundation for the student so that these modern misconceptions can be avoided and progressive development and benefits can be achieved through meditation.
A large group of Taoist relaxation exercises (which pre-date the origin of Tai Chi Chuan) have traditionally been adopted and are also included as part of Tai Chi Chuan. These exercises are used principally for warm-up and for general health and relaxation; the whole group of these exercises will be introduced at different stages as the student progresses. Many of these ancient exercises are quite colourful and are as complex as they are challenging.
By now, I hope it is clear that the aim of practicing Tai Chi Chuan is to develop and gain mastery over the mind, the Chi and the body (both peripherally and internally). All of the routines and tests therefore, are only used as guides and aids to this process and are not ends in themselves.
Furthermore, the greatest achievement for any student of Tai Chi Chuan is to understand the difference between the Internal System and External Systems and to be able to perform all movements and actions Internally.
Tai Chi Chuan is a complete system and therefore the correct mindset of any student taking up this art, is to accept that learning Tai Chi Chuan is a lifetime's work and that to be truly skilful at just one movement of the Form would be a magnificent achievement.
Learning in this system is experiential - we learn through what we do rather than removing oneself from the process and merely learning about the subject. It is only through this direct learning and the personal transformation resulting from this way of learning, that higher levels of knowledge and understanding can be reached.
What you know only with the intellect therefore, must not heavily outweigh what you can do physically. You need to practice and perfect that which you know, and understand that seeking answers with the intellect, instead of through direct physical and emotional experience, will take you away from any meaningful answers, your lessons and the purpose of practising Tai Chi Chuan.
Tai Chi Chuan practised in the right way can help the practitioner develop a greater balance mentally, physically and emotionally. It can lead the practitioner to learn and understand experientially and to become more rooted in the 'present' and more 'alive'.
Tai Chi Chuan is noted for not significantly raising the heart rate or blood pressure and due to the slow and gentle way it is practised, with emphasis placed on correct body alignment, it is considered to be a very safe exercise in which to take part.
However, it is important, to take medical advice before attempting to undergo any form of exercise and the full responsibility for taking part in these classes will belong to the student.
Copyright © Richard Hamlin 2007
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Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan Teaching Elements - Master Richard Hamlin School of Original Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan (London UK)