Addressing knee problems in Classical Tai Chi

Hello all, 

"I am new to Tai Chi, (practicing for the last two weeks!) and I've been trying to learn the square form from the DVD, before tackling the round form. 

I can do the first two forms (preparation and raise hands)but am encountering some difficulty in the transition to the third (Hand strums Lute).

Obviously I am doing something wrong, since Master Hwa does this effortlessly in the DVD. I did check that my weight is fully on my right leg and the left leg is 'empty'. I'm sure my body is stiff (which is why I'm doing Tai Chi!), but I can't figure a way to put feet 90 degrees to each other without straining the weight bearing knee.

If anyone has encountered this before, I'll be very grateful for any suggestions."

Thanks in advance,
A student

"It is the heightened negative sensations that enable the practitioner to sense that he or she has the wrong posture or body structure, such as a concaved back putting undue pressure on the lower back, or an out turned back foot which creates a twisting force in the knee, etc. It is these negative sensations that guided me to improve my form movement. No teacher can correct every movement of the student. It is up to the student using his own feedback sensation to alert that something is not right. I always wonder why so many people practice tai chi with such bad posture oblivious of its consequences. As Sifu Jim Roach pointed out in "One Yin, One Yang" Blog article that such feedback sensation needs to be cultivated. It may not be something born with it." on One Yin, One Yang of October 3, 2011
 Master Stephen Hwa

3. "Hand Strums the Lute...."

“Pay special attention to the feet. This is the first form that subjects the students to complex feet movement. It is easy to be distracted by the complexity of the upper body movements and neglect the details of the lower body”

• In further consideration of the above instructions and what you say about “torque in the right knee but nothing very painful”.  
• I would spend more time paying attention to details of the lower body and forego the upper body movements for now.
• In other words, do the stepping, weight shifting of the square form without raising the hands and arms whatsoever, put your hands by your sides. 
•  Do this just as though you were doing the basic walking.
• The basic walking is the lower body work of the square form. 
• The square form takes the lower body work and adds turns, weight shifts and complex foot movement, which is why:
•  You may wish to consider holding onto a post as you practice these lower body movements, just as Master Hwa teaches in one of the Youtube videos.  This will stabilize your upper body and further lessen the chances of becoming uncomfortable.
• I do this “post” work, even such complex foot movements with my students and they seem to relish not subconsciously worrying about their balance.

        There is not much discussion in Tai Chi instruction “out there” with such iteration about protecting the knees as Master Hwa provides in the DVD series. For the most part, however, he addresses the mid size stance which is an optimum choice for most entering students.

            

Difficulties in turning from the heel is often due to the following factors:

        Too large a stance or incorrect/insufficient knee bend. 

           

          Finally, much more consideration should also be given to your step size

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I      If you had a knee problem before, your first order of concern is to protect your knee. When you are comfortable with your knee and can do the lower body form movement found first in the walk, or doing form movements sans the upper body, then add upper body work. 

i   J.E. Roach