Practicing the traditional Wu Style Tai Chi form (108 movemetns) should take about 15-20 minutes.
But sometimes when I’m in a rush or not concentrating I end up practicing for less than 15 minutes.
When this happens I concentrate on occasionally saying the phrase ‘hardly moving’ to myself which slows me down considerably.
My body, arm amd leg movements barely move which is what I want to happen.
It’s really a mind game to remind myself to slow the form down.
And I suppose it doen’t matter what word or phrase you use as long as the duration of your Tai Chi form is not below 15 minutes – preferably 20 or more minutes.
When I practice the form for around 20 minutes I notice there is a deeper sense of relaxation as opposed to practicing for less than 15 minutes.
I know how long I practice for by setting an electronic clock. Each practice I record the length of time to see if I’m consistently around the 20 minute mark.
If not, then it’s time to hardly move.
As always, Chris excellent article and sound advice to beginner and advanced alike. I have noticed that although beginners start by learning the movements slowly, as they get better and start to focus on practical applications, their overall speed increases. But speed (although impressive) often brings a negligence of balance, posture and core stability. So I always advise my students to practice it quick for fun, and slow if they want to get better. To do this, it is possible to make the form a combination of very slow movements, juxtaposed by very short, fast, powerful fajin. This combination of disparate attributes is a feature of Chen taiji.
Keep up the great work!
Thanks Richard. I appreciate the compliment, coming from an experienced Tai Chi practitioner. I agree with your comments about students speeding the form up and I like the suggestion ‘I always advise my students to practice it quick for fun, and slow if they want to get better’. In our Wu Style Tai Chi form there only two dynamic moves – Turn, Left Hand Sweeps Right Lotus Leg and Turn, Both Hands Sweep Right Lotus Leg. However the fajing can be used by either practicing each posture on its own or to vary the form – use fajin where it is appropriate. When it comes to fajin my preference is to use it when practicing each individual poture on its own.