Stephen Hwa, a former scientist at Xerox Corporation, brought an analytical and systematic approach to the art, emphasizing Internal Discipline—the use of internal power and movement originating from the core rather than superficial muscular effort and its problems of “localized impulses”.
Localized Impulses in Practice
In Classical Tai Chi, localized impulses refer to small, unconscious movements or nerve activations—especially in the hands, fingers, arms, and shoulders—that disrupt the flow of internal energy. These include flicks, flourishes, tension, or micro-movements not driven by the core.
- Practicing "form" with no awareness of localized impulses and no internal discipline leads to the saying: "flowery hands and embroidered ( fidgety) feet," which looks good but lacks any real substance or practical application.
Master Stephen Hwa emphasizes that during form practice, the upper limbs should move as an extension of the torso, not through isolated arm or hand actions. When a practitioner uses localized impulses, they break the continuity of internal energy transmission from the dantien (core) through the limbs.
Why Students Deny or Misunderstand Localized Impulses
Students do not know the “localized impulses” term, are not aware of the concept “extraneous movement” , hence often denying their localized impulses due to:
- Lack of body awareness: Many practitioners are not yet sensitive to subtle neuromuscular activity in the extremities.
- Mental distraction: The upper limbs' function is described as "entirely abstract and mental," making them prone to unconscious interference.
- Misinterpretation of fluidity: It is essential that students not simply make graceful movements like hand waving and think their practice is correct. This is localized control, not core-driven control.
- Denial due to habit: As one student with cold fingers was found to have a habitual hand-flourishing habit, correcting the issue required acknowledging the impulse first.
Master Hwa notes that it is often harder to train a student not to move than to move, underscoring the challenge of eliminating these impulses.
The Role of Martial Intent (Yi)
Central to overcoming denial of localized impulses is cultivating Yi (martial intent). Yi is not imagination or analogy—it is a focused, single-minded intention to deliver internal power through the limbs, as in martial application.
When Yi is correctly applied:
- The mind directs energy to the point of action (e.g., palm, fingertips, edge of hand).
- Movements become purposeful, not decorative.
- The practitioner avoids extraneous motions because they interfere with power delivery.
As Master Hwa states, once Yi is mastered, it becomes subconscious and natural, eliminating the need for deliberate control—and with it, the tendency to insert unnecessary impulses.
Square Form as a Corrective Tool
The Square Form is a foundational training method in Classical Tai Chi designed to eliminate localized impulses. It features:
- Straight-line movements with clear start and end points.
- Pauses at directional changes, reinforcing awareness of what moves and what remains still.
- A template-like structure that makes deviations obvious.
By practicing Square Form, students learn precise segmental control, ensuring that only the intended part moves while others remain still. This trains the nervous system to suppress localized impulses and instead let movement originate from the core.
As one analogy goes: Square Form is like Kai Shu (block calligraphy)—structured and deliberate—while Round Form is like Cao Shu Cursive Script, fluid but built on that foundation.
Health and Energetic Consequences
Localized impulses are not just technical flaws—they have tangible effects:
- Disruption of Qi flow, leading to symptoms such as cold fingers, as observed in one of Hwa's students.
- Reduced martial effectiveness, since power cannot be fully transmitted through a limb with extraneous motion.
- Compromised health benefits, as improper movement can strain joints or inhibit internal energy circulation.
