A review meant as FAQ

This is dedicated to my teacher and to all my students past, present and especially those (all of us) who find things "difficult", read on please:  Review of "Uncovering the Treasure: Classical Tai Chi's Path to Internal Energy & Health by Stephen Hwa

Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2010
Verified Purchase

Format: Paperback

Stephen Hwa has written a book called "Uncovering the Treasure", Classical Tai Chi's Path to Internal Energy & Health. This review concerns that book and largely I try to be in accord with Amazon's recommendations that reviews should be succinct, yet detailed and specific. As a rule Amazon suggests that the review informs readers whether or not the book measures up to: "What I wanted to know before I purchased the book"? For this, I hope the reader will bear with me because I have to play the role of both beginner and practicing student. This is equally difficult because I am a teacher of this art and often find myself lacking the "mind of a beginner" or novice, which as it is said is open to many possibilities, that of the expert being few.

Over and above all of this is my abiding appreciation for what I have learned all these years from Stephen Hwa, Ph.D., whose academic qualifications alone provide ample ability to provide us with such a rational and scientific treatise. This is in addition to the 30+ years he has spent studying and teaching the art. Equally little known is the fact that he was the single student of Yang Wabu (Young Wabu) who was a personal student and disciple of Wu Chien Chuan. I say "single" because Stephen Hwa started in Yang's class with many other students, all dropped out leaving Stephen as the lone student for the next 30 years. One teacher, one student for 30 years.

Yes, it is easy to see I am a "ringer" but the book may really be for those who have wandered the Tai Chi path many years and felt unfulfilled. For those who feel like they have been taken down too many one-way streets and wrong routes regarding the "internal" of this "internal martial art". You will understand my appreciation once you read the book. There is no "flowery", "ethereal" or "new age" language to be found in the book, there is however lots to puzzle over and to practice. The routes to solving the puzzle are clearly delineated however, all the student needs is a small place to practice, a desire to enjoy what they do rather than straining to achieve something and some time and gumption. Here in brevity is what I might have wanted to know (as a beginner or practitioner) before I purchased the book.

* What is meant by "internal energy" and what is the way to get it?

* How do all those types of "forms", (large, compact, square, etc.) fit into a learning program?

* What pieces am I missing in order to learn Tai Chi?

* How does the way I align myself contribute to gaining internal energy?

* Why are there seemingly so many rules to follow when learning this?

* Why does it seem so complex and difficult many times?

* If Tai Chi originated from martial artists, why is it what I see many times looks like dance?

* What in the world can I gain from doing Tai Chi?

* Are there any dangers in doing this, what should I cultivate, what should I avoid?

* Why does it take so long to learn?

* This art has no "belts" what distinguishes beginners from advanced?

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Welcome to CTC

NEW INFO: Starting the first Sunday, January 5, and Wednesday, January 8, 2020, Classical Tai Chi of Buffalo will offer free and ongoing Tai Chi classes. The classes will be at 10 A.M. on Sundays and 6:30 P.M. on Wednesdays, Rockwell Hall, room 302. For those who come on Wednesday and do not have a parking permit, please contact the instructor at the phone number or email address below. Anyone wishing to attend is urged to register ahead of time. Tai Chi is often referred to as mindfulness meditation in motion. Classes are taught by James Roach who has over forty years of experience in several styles of Tai Chi. Please contact them at info@classicaltaichiofbuffalo.com or leave message at (716)218-0094 to register. More information can be found on their website and Facebook page.

Open to: students, faculty, staff, everyone

https://ift.tt/36i7xAC He will tell you himself: To an untrained eye what you see as "continuous" movement is an illusion.Doing the Lions share of repairing the hole where logical reasoning disappeared, "righting the ship" and saving Tai Chi.

from Instagram

Classical Tai Chi is an illusion...to the "untrained eye"

https://facebook.com/events/370947716933432/?ti=as. 

He will tell you himself: To the eye of a body/mind not trained with "internal discipline", what you see at the Facebook video link is an illusion. What you see is really the illusion of continuous movement and the untrained eye does not see the Yin/Yang (not moving/moving) of each movement. First you learn that Yin/Yang for each move then connect the moves. Other than that and one is dancing no better than training for the "Prom".New free Tai Chi classes, starting Jan. 8, 2020, 6:30 - 7:30 PM. Free classes also continuing Sundays 10-11 AM. Rockwell Hall, Room 302, 1300 Elmwood Ave., Bflo., NY. Prior registration for class is mandated at info@classicaltaichiofbuffalo.com

"Ordinary Force" v. "Non-ordinary Force"

View the video and more at:
https://www.facebook.com/classicaltaichijimroach/posts/1455929284565128

Jim R. said: New free Tai Chi classes now available Wed., Jan. 8, 2020, 6:30-7:30 PM and free classes also continuing Sundays 10-11 AM. Rockwell Hall, Rm., 302, 1300 Elmwood Ave., Bflo., NY. Try this little experiment: "Ordinary Force" can be felt if you stand absolutely perpendicular and push with your arms as hard as possible against a wall. The "reaction force" will make you careen backward. In this video, I am in a discussion about the pitfalls of external ("ordinary") force with Master Hwa, Tom K., and Ike Schultz. What Ike says about the "snapping" REACTION FORCE effect on the shoulder joint when punching is also true of "snapping" REACTION FORCE effect on knees and hips when kicking. So, doesn't logic also dictate "ordinary" force stopping at the hips when pushing with the back leg? Stand with the same hand position but not using arm muscles to push, just legs. It can be felt if you stand perfectly perpendicular and push with your legs as hard as possible through your arms and hands against a wall. The "REACTION FORCE" will make you careen back as well.


Jim R. said: "There is a thing called "NON-ORDINARY" Force that is not "external" and is a skill to be learned via internal discipline. The comment at this point might be, "but what if I take a large step forward and tilt my body forward?" Of course, you won't careen back because the "Reaction Force" is absorbed by the back foot...but your force is still "external and ordinary". The conundrum is how to take a "SMALL" step (small frame, small circle), tilt the body forward or even stand perpendicular like Master Hwa in this photo...and not careen back from "reaction force". He used the "non-ordinary" force."

Adarsh Vazhakandy said: "clear explanation. this student has grasped the essence of internal power"

My student Jason Bulger, a certified Classical Tai Chi instructor at presentation of his Master's Degree Thesis in Occupational Therapy. "...the scientific community is still far from defining or quantifying Qi, or knowing all the neurophysiological pathways involved in mind-body-energy connections..." The Harvard Medical School Guide to Tai ChiDoing the Lions share of repairing the hole where logical reasoning disappeared, "righting the ship" and saving Tai Chi.

from Instagram

Visitors from China and one of our students at our Classical Tai Chi class Buffalo State College. What we do with this "small frame, small circle" Tai Chi is really not known in China. This after talking with our visitors and then our Master Stephen Hwa For example, they told me my pronunciation was good but they don't understand that things like "Neigong* really does come from the abdomen and back aka "core". Their perception only extends to it simply being a "mind/body" disciplineDoing the Lions share of repairing the hole where logical reasoning disappeared, "righting the ship" and saving Tai Chi.

from Instagram

A push is no push unless it's ordinsry

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Note that Tom is going upward as well as going backward with the punch. In light of that, I would not bet any money make the stereotype remark and say this is a "push".  If it was a push then Dr. Hwa would be pushed back by a reaction force. "Push" yourself back from the wall for yourselves and note the reaction. The reaction force from a push is a hallmark of ordinary force. The reaction force of ordinary force is also in accord with Newton's 3rd Law. You know this as every action having an equal and opposite reaction. He is doing a punch that uses 1/4 body internal discipline. There would be a reaction force if his punch did not adhere to the following path: Relax arm,  Tense arm, Relax the arm and he is able to do this because force comes from the core and not external (arms and legs). So, is his 1/4 body "punch" in violation of Newton's 3rd law or not?   There is logical and scientific reasoning at work here. In Classical Tai Chi We are doing Lion's share of repairing the hole where logical reasoning disappeared, "righting the ship" and saving Tai Chi.

Classical Tai Chi spanning generations. Grandmaster and 6th generation student.. After a seminar on Sports and Classical Tai Chi. Seminar at Ciminelli Recital Hall, Buffalo State College. Thank you Tai Chi Master Stephen Hwa Ph.D.Doing the Lions share of repairing the hole where logical reasoning disappeared, "righting the ship" and saving Tai Chi.

from Instagram

Righting the ship

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You have to practice every day. There is also a media disservice misperception that Tai Chi is a once-a-week, somebody leads you, " sweating to the oldies". Otherwise, you are only fooling yourself, and doing that is seldom obvious. This was an unpaid commercial to continue repairing the hole where logical reasoning disappeared, "righting the ship" and saving Tai Chi.

R.F. revs up for momentum by turning pelvis and swinging the arm BUT just before hitting the ball he stabilizes the pelvis and engaged "upper body turning move" a Hallmark of Classical Tai Chi internal discipline. https://youtu.be/fuu881kl0OsDoing the Lions share of repairing the hole where logical reasoning disappeared, "righting the ship" and saving Tai Chi.

from Instagram

Play tennis like "grasping a peacock's tail" 

Stephen Hwa:  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuu881kl0Os

"I was a tennis player from a very young age. My game

started going downhill when I was approaching forty

years of age. That was when I started to learn Tai Chi.

As I was beginning to master the Internal Discipline in

my Tai Chi Form practice in my fifties, my tennis game

started to improve rapidly. It eventually reached a level

way beyond my younger years. Take some specific

moves as examples: I did not learn the proper technique

to volley at the net when I was young. Later, I found my

upper quarter-body push move is exactly the correct

move for a volley, described by tennis pros as a "punch"

move. The body turning move in "Grasp Peacock's Tail"

greatly improved my two-handed backhand. Overall,

my moves were much more natural, powerful and I had

a faster response on the court, as if I had rebuilt myself

from ground up into an entirely different person with

physical and mental abilities beyond my youthful years."

Did you know that "Fajin" (a spike of power) in Classical Tai Chi does not violate Newton's 3rd law? Want to ask and find out why? You will have to visit with Tai Chi Master Stephen Hwa Ph.D. on October 20, @ 10 A.M. We are in Ciminelli Recital Hall, 3rd floor, Rockwell Hall @ Buffalo State College.Doing the Lions share of repairing the hole where logical reasoning disappeared, "righting the ship" and saving Tai Chi.

from Instagram

Seeing your practice objectively

Round Form & Square Form

Jim D: Master Hwa, I appreciated your encouragement regarding my training regimen. Some questions and experiences I have are as follows:
1) Your insight "l...sometimes what we think is real is only an illusion..." concerned me at first because I am not able to see myself objectively, and I do not know what your experience is subjectively. How does one know that we are continuing to maintain/attain the correct form when we do not have the benefit of a watchful eye of a Master?
Master Hwa's reply: I use two approaches:
The external approach: From time to time, take a video of Form playing and reviewing and critique the video. If one understands what is required, this method can reveal certain deficiencies in the movements. From your comments below, you have already considering doing this.

The internal approach: Develop one's internal eye; see the movements from inside. This is to develop a keen sense of feeling of your body and remember what you should feel when you do a movement correctly. The beauty of this method is that, since there are many duplicate or nearly identical movements, if you know one of them, you can apply to the others also. In fact, when you start on the journey of learning tai chi, you have to develop better sense of feeling with your movements in the first place. Otherwise, you will not be able to learn the subtle internal movements. Furthermore, when you have mastered the Form, the sense of feeling of the circulating internal energy and the feeling of stretching and coiling in the body constitute the flowing of qi in the body. Sense of feeling is the heart of Tai Chi Form practice. Notable examples are: the feeling of stretching down the tailbone; the feeling of stretching in the back and energizing in the tan tien when you keep the elbow-in, instead of the spread chicken-wing style. Again, from your question, you are already mindful of this.

Tai Chi and the link to balance

IIt was inevitable that recent Tai Chi studies of folks with good or improving balance would show a positive link between physical balance and dementia. Those with the best balance and walking abilities at the start of recent studies were three times less likely to have developed dementia as those with lower physical abilities. It's not a big leap in thinking and reasoning that with some faithful practice, the Classical Tai Chi with it's "small frame" tilted postures can probably even dramatically improve your balance within months or even weeks. Be sure to not use large steps but include Classical Tai Chi "walking" with its abbreviated size steps to maintain and improve balance in your daily routine, especially after the age of 60. Give a try with eyes closed to balancing on one foot or stand up and sit down without using your hands. Adults of all ages should make it a goal to try frequently standing on one foot, for at least 30 seconds. With eyes closed and using just the very tip of one finger to touch the wall while one footing will also keep a good structure and not affect the process.

Liked on YouTube: Classical Tai Chi Forum 16 -silk reeling

Classical Tai Chi Forum 16 -silk reeling
To learn more visit our Online School: https://ift.tt/2OfwbtJ Practice routine and silk reeling exercise to train how to move the arm and the core as a unit. Recorded in Master Stephen Hwa tai chi class. https://ift.tt/1JtLXfG In Chinese: https://ift.tt/1Kyh2cJ Online School: https://ift.tt/2OfwbtJ First Online Video Tai Chi Class: https://ift.tt/2A8C8Wt
via YouTube https://youtu.be/2Uo9lQ6azVA

Liked on YouTube: Direction is the first thing to learn

Direction is the first thing to learn
To learn Tai Chi "Form", you must first learn where to step and what direction those steps must take. It is pointless to concern yourself with the hands and arms if you do not know the direction to take.
via YouTube https://youtu.be/kDjUahG3wLs

Classical Tai Chi is implicit "Mindfulness" of the direction

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First concern is which direction

                 (video link)

It is pretty easy for most people to watch a movie and be "mindful" not being distracted at all...it is pretty stimulating.   For most beginners in Tai Chi however there is little stimulation, one might say mind/body sensation to be had when learning "does this arm go here, does that leg go there" etc. So one might say Mindfulness in Tai Chi at least for beginners is upstaging distraction with even lower stimulation, not higher...this is quite a task. Classical Tai Chi takes a different tact, it gets you going in the right direction first thing. Of course, this does take practice at home after class unlike the many forms of exercise where one can go to class then come home to days of no exercise.  Classical Tai Chi is also not a panacea for not being mindful, it requires daily maintenance.   So for most beginners in Tai Chi mindfulness is a practice for training your mind to focus more on what stimulates less and then move on to learning hand position, timing then internal discipline.  Notice I used the keyword "focus".  

Lots of Tai Chi instruction coupled with "mindfulness" asks that you be "aware", "be present", " know what all of your body is doing, etc. but this is all pretty difficult for beginners. Classical Tai Chi, on the other hand, assumes if you don't know which direction to be aware or present in it matters little how you are moving the arms and legs.  If you are lost in a giant forest and do not know which way to walk you could probably wave the arms for a long time and literally not get anywhere. Waving arms with no "internal movement" from the core is called "external" Tai Chi. 

In Classical Tai Chi  the ultimate goal is to learn "internal discipline" and every move inward directs every move outward.  Arm and leg movement without an inward movement is called "external" Tai Chi not "internal".  First things first however, moving in the right direction,not only teaches direction but also teaches the "internal discipline" of the lower body...how to move the legs from an internal movement of the core muscles.

A photo of Tai Chi Square Form and Square is a great template for learning to do Round Form. It is analogous to the way one learns to write by first learning to print then learning cursive script. See us at facebook.com/classicaltaichijimroachDoing the Lions share of repairing the hole where logical reasoning disappeared, "righting the ship" and saving Tai Chi.

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Square form is analogous to printing

Learning kǎishū or regular script ("printing") then cǎoshū cursive script ("writing") is analogous to learn Square Form with its stops and pauses then learning Round Form with continuous internal motion. Every movement in square form has a clear-cut moving part of the body and a stationary part of the body. Normally we call them the yin and yang pair of the body Yin is the stationary and yang is the moving part of the body. The junction of the Yin and Yang is where the power of the movement is generated. When the junction is in the Torso of the body the power of the movement is generated by the Torso of the body. You can refer to this as internal power or internal energy. The movement is an internal movement that is what we try to learn from practicing the Tai Chi form...how to make “internal movement”. The difficulty comes in learning to set the stationary part of the body precisely. Any smearing or vagueness in the stationary part of the body will result in inefficient power generation. This inefficient power generation will occur at the joint or at the junction. This is an indication that the practitioner does not have sufficient control or efficient control of the body. The movement will look precise and robotic. It is also important in learning the square form to learn how to set the correct body posture or body structure during movement. People want to practice the Forum day in and day out for years this could result in injury if the body structure or postures are not correct. Square form is a great template for learning round form every movement has a clear starting point and a clear endpoint. This is similar to the way we all might have learned to write first we learned to print and then we learned to do the cursive script without stopping our movement. Learning to print as you remember goes from point to point in making the letters clear and precise.This learning of using a square form carries over from one generation to the next so that learning the form practicing the form maintains its Integrity and precision over the years.

Stretch out opponents arm gently then...fajing!

Stretch out opponents arm gently then...fajing (video)

In push hands exercise, the sitback and lean forward pair of movements alternate repetitively representing offensive and defensive moves. So, both are extremely important moves in the Tai Chi form.  During application, when an opponent attacks, stick to them, stretch the opponent forward by sitting back, thus draining off some of their forward force, and turn the body to ward off to destabilize them.  Here Master Hwa works with someone who is just beginning Tai Chi and most people will be unstable as well.  The Tai Chi form is really where you can gain skill in the push hand essentials of "sitback" and "lean forward".  After much practice in the form one should feel comfortable and agile moving in and out of these positions.  At this point one is really ready to do push hands.  In addition both the sitback and forward lean contribute to the up and down flow of internal energy and the qi in the body.  Therefore they are important components in the internal energy and qi circulation during the playing of the Tai Chi form. 

Waist turns, hips do not! Most who do this are surprised when they are told how much their hips are moving...unless trained one simply does not feel such extraneous movement.Doing the Lions share of repairing the hole where logical reasoning disappeared, "righting the ship" and saving Tai Chi.

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Junction of movement has to be in torso to be "internal"

Starting at 1:15 you hear Master Hwa address "hips vs. waist" and ask "...some of you were here last time, I want to see...turning movement, how do you turn...". The fellow behind (who I recall from the previous year at this same workshop) turns at the hips and turning his whole body.  You know it is very interesting that 

Did you know that the ability to turn from the waist, not turning the hips is considered the “second stage” of learning in Tai Chi. Did you know that if you don’t reach this stage you are not truly practicing Tai Chi? Did you know that THE TAO OF TAI-CHI CHUAN: Way to Rejuvenation" Jou Tsung Hwa,  Tai Chi Foundation, 1991, page A31, stated that "The Second Stage. The hallmark of the second stage is the use of torso method. Torso method is characterized by use of the body, specifically the waist and spine, to initiate and empower the movements of the arms and legs . Only those who reach this stage can truly be said to be practicing Tai Chi, yet these are few indeed."  Master Hwa once told me that he would have liked to meet Master Jou “…he was someone that really was searching for the truth about Tai Chi…”

Hips a fulcrum powered by the waist

The waist turns the hips, not vice versa (video link)

Waist turns, hips do not! Most who do this are surprised when they are told how much their hips are moving...unless trained, one simply does not feel such extraneous movement. An "oldie but a goodie" classic video that includes hips vs. waist instruction at the video link. Hips v. Waist continued: Keep the hips still, even sit on a chair to do this, turn the waist and then try another experiment, standing or sitting where you turn the hip "first" (you will find it impossible but you can turn the waist to turn the hip) and you can readily see the difference in the "generation" of power. What exactly is the mechanism that is used to move in and of itself when one is urged erroneously to "turn your hip"? The hips are a major joint in the body and like any joint, there is no such self-perpetuating mechanism in the hips wherein one can "generate movement". Your hips "permit", "allow", "tolerate", "provide for" movement, but they do not "generate" movement.

Sitback and Lean

Dear Master Hwa:  Now as to the "sitback" as shown in Wu's posture my student Tom Kostusiak says: "When I first started Classical Tai Chi, I experienced back pain while playing the form. My teacher pointed out (as Master Hwa points out in the video) that I was not sitting back and stretching down the tailbone. As I progressed with this correction, my back pain subsided. I saw that incorrect posture was the cause of pain as I was not properly aligned for the moves."

A student some time ago asked me via email: "How does the second generation of Wu's family change the posture from the original upright posture of Yang's Tai Chi to a straight lean?"  Perhaps one answer is to ask why ask this question before you practice instead of practicing and finding the answer for yourself?  I was thinking about what you said on "lean" in the forward posture.  As we know very well, there is indeed much commentary as you say along with youtube video. I decided to look up exact definitions of English "lean". Then I said why not look up what Chinese translation of "lean is" and so...I find it ironic that other Tai Chi has so much commentary from allegedly reading the Tai Chi Classics and interpretation of Chang San Feng's edict to not "lean". Yet the simplified Chinese translation is 靠 or kào which in English is translated as "Lean" using a striking force with shoulder or body. The irony is "lean" is one of the 8 postures that Tai Chi is noted for. Also, the very same postures that they tout as needing to be done in the "perpendicular".

Hi Jim: "We just have to continually plug at it. To change the preconceived thinking of such a large portion of the tai chi practitioner is a herculean effort!"

One is external self defense, the other is self defense of the self through internal discipline

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Folding

The folding move involves one entire side of the body; arm, torso, and leg, moving as a unit. In the example shown in the video left side then the right side of the body are folding and unfolding by keeping the other side of the body stationary.  The stationary part provides support, some of the power for the move and grounding. The left side of the body is yang, the right side yin, then it alternates with right sidy yang and left side yin, etc. The Yin-yang Internal Discipline of the Tai Chi junction is at the spine. One can visualize that the spine is a hinge, so each side of the body, like a door, can fold or unfold using that hinge. This is also a half-body move, right side vs. left  This move in Tai Chi Classics is described as "upper and lower body following each other" Another classical description is, "hand follows the foot, elbow follows the knee, and shoulder follows the hip". This is an important example of how to make a move but still keep each side of the body's alignment intact. This move can be achieved only when the turning power comes from the waist and the entire back's muscles. If one uses the upper body power for this move, the lower body will not likely be able to follow the upper body's move. The left foot will likely be lagging behind the move to form a twisted structure on the left side of the body greatly reducing the power of the move. see https://www.facebook.com/classicaltaichijimroach/

Liked on YouTube: PUSH HANDS "Jade Girl Works at the Shuttles"

PUSH HANDS "Jade Girl Works at the Shuttles"

via YouTube https://youtu.be/3v8S3nawap8

Yin and Yang is more than "cosmological"

The video of Stephen Hwa shows him doing a 1/4 body move.  It requires 3/4 of the body to be Yin (not moving) while 1/4 is Yang (moving). 

In "The Harvard Medical School Guide to Tai Chi" one of the statements is "This book is audacious".  I would agree.  Where I disagree is with the author's "audacious" statement that Yin and Yang are "cosmological notions".  This smacks of having a kind of "belief in the right mental state of mind as the precursor which makes almost any movement a Tai Chi movement. The result of that has given us an unbelievable number of Tai Chi varieties.

Stephen Hwa's teacher Yeung Wabu said that his own teacher Wu Chien Chuan told him: "Every movement in Tai Chi Form has to have two complementary parts of the body, a moving part (called the yang part) and a stationary part (called yin part). When the yin-yang junction is located in the torso of the body, it is an internal move. When it is outside of the torso, it is an external move."

I won't go into the health or martial benefits of disregarding those previous discussed "right mental state" notions at this point.  I will simply say that Yin and Yang are indeed an "...ology", not a "cosmology" but a "methodology". As my own teacher says in "Uncovering the Treasure": One (contribution) is that this statement by my teacher Yeung Wabu is the key to a methodology that enables Tai Chi practitioners to mobilize the powerful core of the body for Tai Chi movements, to generate internal energy and internal energy circulation in the body.

Martial Art and/or Good for Health?

"Don't argue with students over doing Long Form or Short Form". Those were the words that Master Stephen Hwa spoke to me. I mentioned the statements of a student on the ultimate utility of doing short form instead of the Long Form. The student had learned a short form from a former teacher and rather more loyal than pragmatic was holding to their previous learning.

This is but one example of the work of saving Classical Tai Chi that Master Hwa has taken on. Through study with him, I have come to an understanding of why. In my professional opinion the art has been dying, simply put it has degenerated into something that is barely recognizable. As to what one is up against: "As a disciple of Wu Chian-Chuan,(Young Wabu) was faithful to the art he was taught by Wu. He could not understand why so many tai chi practitioners were so feckless with the art that resulted in the rapid degeneration of the art during his lifetime."

Largely, the Tai Chi is divided into what seems like 2 camps. Those who insist that it is only a martial art, pure and simple. Don't argue with them on Youtube or anywhere else, they have been calling for Jihad for some time now. Then there is the other camp. Those who insist that it is not a martial art, pure and simple. Don't argue with them anywhere either. Take your pick...what they seem to define it as is anyone's guess.

The martial arts crew will say "if someone gives you the finger, give them the finger back". The other side will say much what was said by a beginner at one of my classes. "Tai Chi did not originate in China, it was developed in San Francisco".  No doubt at the same time as "Rice a Roni". Kind of like what a local restaurant owner said to a couple at the next table to us when they asked for Chow Mein and said they sure hoped it tasted like the "good stuff they bought at the supermarket". The proprietor responded with: "would you like it served in the can or out?"

It might be helpful to remember that what is necessary for a fight is called good health and what is conducive to good health is good in a fight. However, if one takes their 8 bones of the wrist and 19 of the hands and fingers and punches someone on the 1 bone of their head (hence the term "bonehead")consider the odds of breaking at least one of them. How the purist martial art camp considers that to be healthy really escapes me?

On the other hand (no pun here)if one takes the 1 bony head and applies it with vigor to notions, expectations, preconceptions, media misrepresentations and misinformation about the art...the head does not break. New Age Tai Chi, Tai Chi is only for the old, Really Easy Tai Chi, Tai Chi while swimming, Tai Chi for what ails ya, Short and really short Tai Chi, Tai Chi without all that troublesome discipline, Tai Chi while running, Tai Chi for beating people up, and on and on...

The head does not break under the constant infusion of such notions, it instead fills up and rises to be full of itself. This is the flight of the kite under the influence of hot air. To wit, we have the wordy mathematical expression: The definition of Tai Chi is directly proportional to the amount of hot air that it receives and rises appropriately.

Elements follow certain rules, rules form a logical structure

Forward lean posture & movement (video)

Although we only show one posture, that posture is central to the Classical Tai Chi experience. It is important to remember that doing this or any posture badly will always override what we call "wishful thinking" or the right mental state. An excerpt from "Uncovering the Treasure" by Stephen Hwa Ph.D.  "Those early Masters who developed Classical Tai Chi Form must have had in-depth knowledge about body mechanics and its effect on joint health and energy transmission and generation in the body. They meticulously incorporated their knowledge into every move in the Tai Chi Form. After all, a bad posture will stop internal energy generation and qi flow."

"No mental state or wishful thinking can overcome that. At first glance, it (Classical Tai Chi) appears to be very complex, but gradually it becomes simpler because every element in it, no matter how minor it is, follows certain rules and these rules form a logical structure with calculated, scientific reasoning behind it. Every element is optimized toward two objectives; martial art applications and health benefits. As a result, every element is tightly coupled with other elements even though they may appear to be unrelated. The entire structure is rooted in Chinese philosophy. It is truly a world heritage treasure."

Tai Chi for the most part is "Square Form"

How to not be "square" and reduce momentum

MOMENTUM FORCE VS. INTERNAL ENERGY

If one pushes back with the forward foot as an opponent is pushing you does it not stand to reason that you are aiding them? As much as we would like to believe it not true when a Karate punch or kick reaches its endpoint, the momentum of the movement has to be absorbed by the shoulder or hip joint to stop the movement. This could cause hyperextension of the tendon in that joint. This to some degree also takes place in some Tai Chi particularly where there is much emphasis on sparring and to a lesser degree, it shows in their "forms". Not readily seen by untrained observers but a finer analysis shows "stops" and "starts" instead of conclusively continuous movement.

Master Stephen Hwa told me when I first met him that the "stops/starts" of Yang Style, Wu Style forms I learned were "square form" and used some considerable "momentum force" as their source of energy. I had no idea. External martial arts such as Karate use even more momentum force. Here's that square form in operation: You decide to drive down the highway alternately and indiscriminately pressing on the accelerator and the brake You would be using your engine to give the vehicle kinetic energy/momentum then throw the energy away by hitting the brake, over and over. You would consume much less fuel if you only drove steadily.

Master Stephen Hwa, a Ph.D. Engineer, talks a great deal about varieties of momentum force, aka pushing forward with the back foot, pushing back with the front foot. As much as one may not wish to admit, Wu, Yang, Chen all are Square form, etc. All of these contribute to a movement that has "stops and starts" in it, one way or the other. When it comes to ClassicalTai Chi "round form" using a "pulling" coupled with internal energy and a considerable minimum of momentum that difference is a really big deal. One might say that Tai Chi relying on "pushing with a foot" is extravagant of energy, whereas "pulling" truly stores it and releases only when needed.

Doing the Lions share of repairing the hole where logical reasoning disappeared, "righting the ship" and saving Tai Chi.

from Instagram

A good teacher

Firmness & Relaxation

Firmness & Relaxation

J.T.. writes:

…… I understand the utility of redirecting incoming force, but when blocking, how is it that the arm remains soft and subtle (in order that we may listen), and not rigid as in external martial arts?

"Follow the opponent's motion until it dissolves into my own. Only when I can unite with the opponent to become "ONE", then I may prevail.". From an older article which may shed some additional light on what Master Hwa speaks about and demonstrates in this very recent video. I would encourage everyone to read J.T's quandary, try the "experiment" Master Hwa speaks about at the end of this article.

Master Stephen Hwa's response: In short, the rigidity in an external martial art is indiscriminate with every muscle in the arm stiffened up to the maximum. In tai chi, only the necessary energizing is employed. In addition, your blocking of the opponent’s arm should use a force just enough to ward off his arm. If you use too much force then it's no longer redirect, but push back, and you lost the advantage of redirect. Therefore your ward-off move is very fluid and delicate. This can only be achieved when you are not stiff or rigid. I have an experiment I want you to try: Try to press the back of your hand against say a door frame, just like you are blocking an opponent's incoming arm. Do you find that one side of your forearm muscle is energized while the other side, the muscle is relaxed? Let me know your results.

Liked on YouTube: Fajin Part II

Fajin Part II
Classical Tai Chi presents Fajin (part 2 of 2)
via YouTube https://youtu.be/KmkyMgWb7M4

Liked on YouTube: Fajin Part 1

Fajin Part 1
Classical Tai Chi presents Fajin (Part 1 of 2)
via YouTube https://youtu.be/36fCcCxrwAE

The Power and Grace of Classical Tai Chi

The Power and Grace of Classical Tai Chi

Classical Tai Chi of Buffalo gets featured on page 23 of July's "In Good Health" magazine. In an interview with IGH at Buffalo State College, I explain what, how, why's, etc. of Classical Tai Chi. No, I never said I was a "Master"😉 the onus for that falls squarely on the reporter. Read the entire article at the link above.

Training internal opens channels for Qi

A student asks: "Is the Qi generated from Yin or from Yang"? Maybe this is putting the "cart before the horse" before one has a chance to learn "internal discipline" of movement and establish what is called "energy channels" in the body first as you see in the video above.  Above all one has to adopt the attitude of training to achieve this and then Qi flow will come naturally. After all, as Master Stephen Hwa says: "Learning Internal Discipline leads to Qi improvement without specifically training Qi" 

I also recommend you view the entire video if you have the chance:  Qi and Internal Energy in Classical Tai Chi Master Stephen Hwa:  "At the beginning of the learning process, you are instructed to relax or forget about the shoulder and the arm, just concentrate on the abdomen and the back for the internal movements. This is to eliminate the common habit of moving from the arm or shoulder. The shoulder and arm just follow the movements from the internal core. (My student Ernie said that trying to relax the shoulder did not work for him, because of the act of “trying to relax” placed too much attention on the shoulder which kept the shoulder in play.) For most people, the difficulty here is to find the neural pathways in the core which can make the internal move you intended.  After you practice the form in this way for a while you will develop some knack for moving from the core. Now comes the second stage of learning that is to integrate your arm with the internal movements and to expanding the circulating internal energy and qi from the torso to the arm, the palm and the fingertips.  

I previously talked about the incorporation of “yi”, or martial art intent, in the movement. With practice, one will achieve the state where the arm and the internal core move as “One” and, that the internal energy and qi flow with the “yi” of the movements to the palm and the fingertips. By examining my own movements I found that, in this state, my arm constantly exerts a slight stretch or pull on the shoulder. This stretch firmly engages the arm to the shoulder. Since the elbow is always lower than the shoulder, there is a downward stretching force on the shoulder causing the shoulder to sink which in turn connects it to the core enabling the arm and the core moving as “One”. The stretching force involved here is quite subtle and small, just sufficient to achieve the engagement. Those of you who have already achieved such engagement in your practice probably feel this already. "

Fa-jing "time delay" and "time constant"

Youtube of Bruce Lee.

Stephen Hwa's one inch punch is similar to Bruce Lee's in terms of "time delay" (no time to step back from punch) it is different in terms of Bruce's "momentum force" and Stephen Hwa's "internal energy". Also different in terms of "explosion" vs. implosion", stance of persons giving the punch and stance of persons receiving punch.  Although Bruce Lee's "1-inch" punch was an "explosion" on the outside of a body, the person had a "time delay" so there was no time to react, to step back to relieve the power from the strike (he hit the person on the solid chest,  a large stance, back foot heel leaves the ground, seems "momentum" based). Stephen Hwa's is an "implosion" on the inside of a body, the person had a "time delay", no time to react, to step back to relieve the power of the strike (hit the person on the belly, an extremely small stance, both feet stay on ground, "used a quarter body move, no "momentum") What seems like "sci-fi" is the "implosion" involves a "time delay" and a "time constant". In visiting him in Florida I had a discussion with Master Hwa who is a Ph.D. chemical engineer. This got really interesting for me about terms like "time delay" that he refers to in the video. My layman's understanding is that all materials including human bellies also have a "time constant" in their elasticity. Well, in this case, the force is coming at Tom as Master Hwa later says with so much force, so much speed it creates a "time delay" (irrespective of the "time constant") in Tom's body going backward. Measuring how far the punch penetrates during and after the pad is really only about 2 or 3 inches of compact movement. Regardless of that it still penetrates into Tom's body and one might say completely. I call it an "implosion", on the inside of Tom's body as opposed to an "explosion" on the outside. He receives the whole force before his body begins to move back, so much for "pulling the punch", don't you think? It is aptly called a "spike" of power because like a spike, the opponent's body has no chance to get away from the full force.

Internal Discipline is a necessary condition for Compact Form

Internal Discipline is Necessary

D.F.'s opinion: "It's the same for all martial arts; Jujutsu, karate, aikido... Start with big moves and gradually make them smaller."

J.R. replied: Thanks for the opinion, please note 1:40  of the link "Internal Discipline is Necessary" and similar reference to the abdomen, back, core in the video.  Master Stephen Hwa is referring to the presence or absence of "internal discipline in Classical Tai Chi as a necessary and sufficient condition for "compact frame". Big moves of the arms and legs can indeed and sometimes of necessity be made smaller in Karate, Aikido, Jiu-Jitsu.   BTW Master Stephen Hwa taught Classical Tai Chi for years at a Karate studio, Faust's USA Karate, in Rochester, NY and one of my students owns an Aikido, Jiu-Jitsu Dojo and learned the Wu's Style Large Frame from me. I taught the Wu's Style Large Frame (learned from Wu Kwong Yu, Eddie) to the owner of a local Karate Studio, Universal Martial Arts who first saw me doing the Wu's Style Sword Form. Eddie Wu never once mentioned "make them smaller" to me about the movements and I was a disciple. The Karate teacher was featured in Black Belt Magazine for the sheer number of martial arts that he practiced, but I don't recall him mentioning "gradually making his martial art movements smaller". Master Hwa's own teacher's daughter has a black belt in Jiu-Jitsu and teaches the Classical Tai Chi at the Jiu-Jitsu Dojo in Chito, California. To continue, however, the bigness of limb movement being made into the smallness of limb movement even of necessity is not a sufficient condition when it comes to the presence of "internal discipline" where movement originates in the core In one of the Tai Chi classical writings it says: "First seek to stretch and extend (large frame); later seek to be compact (small frame). Then it will be refined and impenetrable". So extend (large) form is first, then compact (small form) is advanced.

Master Hwa said: There is saying in China 内传小架,外传大架, “small Frame reserved For family insider; large frame for everyone else” Small Frame does not mean just have smaller movements. There is a fundamental difference between the small and large frame. It is the internal discipline in movements (all movements are carried out from the torso, not from the limbs) resulted in a small frame.

Sit back but do not bend elbow

Thanks, Tom for your understanding of the critique offered by Master Hwa in this video who said: "...when you go back the arm does not bend so much...". This could also result in being hit in the face by the opponent's elbow. This video is indicative of how push hands "illustrates" the Tai Chi Form. We spoke in yesterday's post about results of incorrect timing and the subsequent lack of engagement with the body core that comes with bending the arm this way. DON'T MOVE THE FOREARM AS YOU MOVE THE WHOLE ARM. Moving the forearm as the upper arm moves makes the forearm the weakest link in the movement and drains off the power, there is no engagement with the core to turn the body, and it is what we call an extraneous movement