For Beginners – Page 27

Shallow Depths

Many years ago I attended a Chi Kung workshop and the teacher did a move which was similar to the opening posture of my Wu Style Tai Chi form.

He said, ‘It took me twenty years to understand this move.’

I thought, ‘You have got to be joking! What’s so hard about lifting your arms up and down?’

What I didn’t realise at the time was that my mind was wading in shallow depths.

I did not understand that a simple move in Tai Chi often requires a depth of understanding which can be only achieved through years of thought, discussion and practice.

This understanding is like going on a journey of;

simplicity
complication
new found simplicity

So if your mind is wading in shallow depths when learning ‘simple’ movements allow yourself to go on this journey without any preconceived ideas.

Then you will be able to discover the depth and essence of a particular movement.

Underwater Tai Chi

By Chris Leave a Comment

When you are practicing your Tai Chi form imagine you are underwater.

But make sure your head is above water!

I’ve found that using this visualisation technique slows my movements down alot. Especially if I am in a rushed mood when practicing Tai Chi.

I also get a deeper sense of Chi flowing through my body.

Here’s how to do it;

Relax you body
Imagine you are standing in water up to your neck
Start your form
Feel the slight resistance of the water as you move

If you decide to use this technique let me know how it feels.

Footnote: Source – Tai Tips #10

Lunatic In A Park

By Chris Leave a Comment

Practicing weapons’ forms in a park can can attract the wrong attention. Especially if you are using metal weapons.

Once when I was practicing my sabre and sword forms in a park I had one spectator which did distract me. It was a policeman driving his van slowly through the park.

From the corner of my eye I noticed the driver stare at me.

He was probably wondering whether I was a lunatic or just a crazy ninja turtle that should be locked up.

Fortunately for me he kept driving and I avoided being disturbed.

Since then I now only use my wooden sword and sabre when I practice in a park.

I still practice with my metal weapons at home or use them at official demonstrations.

Adopt A Tai Chi Posture

By Chris Leave a Comment

One way of improving your Tai Chi form is to adopt a posture and practice it each day.

In my training I have a list of the 37 postures (the form) in order and each day I practice one posture. After 37 days I start again.

I do 8 repetitions slowly, both sides of the body (where relevant). For example a posture like ‘White Crane Flaps Its Wings’ can be done, left and right side of the body whereas ‘Beginning Posture’ cannot.

The benefit of adopting a posture is that you can see if the technique is correct straight away and make the adjustment on the spot. When you are practicing the entire form all you can do when you make a mistake is to make a mental note to correct the error the next time you practice.

Today I was working on ‘Monkey Retreats’ and noticed my body was not facing the centre when I had completed the movement. I ended up twisting my waist to the right.

Make sure when you practice each posture you do it slowly and stay focused.

Do this and your adopting a Tai Chi posture daily will help you improve your form.

Footnote: Source – Tai Chi Tip #1

Wu Style Tai Chi Form – Wu Yinghua

By Chris Leave a Comment

This is the Wu Style Tai Chi form I practice.

It’s the traditional long form as demonstrated by Wu Yinghua (1907-1997), daughter of Wu Chien Chuan.

She was probably in her late eighties when she demonstrated the form. The video clip is of poor quality but you can get a flavour of the Wu style form by watching it.

She demonstrated about a third of the long form, from the opening posture to Left and Right Parting Leg (just after the first cloud hands).

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqqkbetLPIk[/youtube]