Sharpened Neuromuscular Control a rationale

Sharpened neuromuscular control

a video on learning Internal discipline

This bears repeating because my perspective as a teacher tells me, students, nowadays have to constantly be reminded. I explain my rationale below: In the video, Master Hwa says "14 years" went by under Young Wabu and Hwa says he "discovered" he has actually been doing "internal discipline" but it comes as a revelation. Now for students what amazes me, among other things, however, is how anyone views the footwork of this and still thinks the biomechanics are coming from the legs "pushing" off on the ground and not "pulling" from the front leg? Those "revelations" about internal are my experience with him as well although he told me I "got it" back in 2008 and I still make discoveries 18 years later now. What a treat to make these discoveries on my own. This is indeed evidence of sharpened neuromuscular control. I think these discoveries are hiding in plain sight just waiting for sharpened abilities to discern what body sensations mean. With such "internal discipline" this is indeed a moving QIGONG and IMHO undoubtedly the best Qigong I have ever done. Teachers did "Vette" students as he describes, good stuff, but nowadays students constantly question authority and don’t want to relinquish the opinions they bring to class. This is on the increase. Those opinions are what hold up learning and as soon as the student relinquishes...voila the learning begins. I am "old school" and still think "the ball is ultimately in the student's court" and I cannot teach anyone unless they are willing to be the student. What is also perplexing is how students think the nervous system can learn in a hurry and when they cannot, they say it is "not what they thought it was". My experience is the nervous system learns by discerning the difference between sensations and not from sensations that overwhelm...that takes time. Students develop the ability to tell the difference between one sensation and another; eg., the difference between holding hips still for "counter twist" and turning the waist. I have heard "teachers keeping secrets" for decades but the "I don't want your authority" attitude on the part of students is the convoluted modern-day version of teachers' “keeping secrets”. You hit the nail on the head here, Master Hwa thank you. All of that is my educated opinion garnered from studying with you and teaching modern-day students, but when I have had students who are ready they were really ready.

Double weighted? Not!

Double weighted? Not! (video link)

Addressed to all, as well as students who eschew video learning, see video snip link from 000 to 005. Master Hwa refers to the subconscious here in his explanation and I address a student who came to me for getting out of the "buggy rides" of Tai Chi: 不客气 Bù kèqì Maureen Keough in a world where 谢谢你 Xièxiè nǐ is in "short supply".

Maureen Keough said: "Many thanks to Jim Roach who got me re-excited about learning classical tai chi. I am dedicated to learning and playing this to the exclusion of other tai chi styles and qigong styles because it makes the most sense to me. I wish I had found this before anything else because I think I am polluted from trying to ride many horses at the same time."

Maureen: In your study of Square Form on Teachable.com

You questioned Master Hwa about the video snip from that shows 双重加权 Shuāngchóng jiāquán Hand Strums the Lute 手揮琵琶

Grasp Peacock’s Tail 攬雀尾.

双重加权 Shuāngchóng jiāquán translates as "double-weighted".

Master Hwa said: "From 43 seconds to 48 seconds, (ooo to 005 here) my body is forward lean and back foot stretches back to touch the ground, so all the weight is on the front bent foot."

Maureen: I encounter lots of students, most of who have studied "other" Tai Chi, who see the small frame, small circle form and think because the feet are so close together that one is double weighted. Master Hwa's explanation is "spot on".

Maureen said: "I have tried to watch and follow. For me, this has not been a good strategy. It seems that before learning the form, I must learn the best way for me to learn. I am trying now "to watch when I am watching and to practice when I am practicing". I hope that makes sense!" (I told Maureen to do this and referred to Master Hwa's youtube videos where he specifically says to do it this way instead of mimic while watching)

Master Hwa said: "Yes, definitely, you need to just concentrate on watching. Just visual learning will subconsciously improve your movements.

Liked on YouTube: Hurdles learning InternalDiscipline

Hurdles learning InternalDiscipline
Students see the sophisticated movement of the teacher's core (most times abdomen) and in different ways express their desire to learn how to do that. A common occurrence is for students to imitate the movements from watching a video but find that they are not successful. This preconception must be put aside and the student must face the realization that the learning is not that simple. A good place to start, to understand how to negotiate these hurdles is with the video "How to learn Internal Discipline of small circle Tai Chi" available from Master Stephen Hwa's Youtube catalog "Classical Tai Chi". The traditional method of teaching and the current method of teaching which he is using. https://ift.tt/2OfwbtJ For more info https://ift.tt/36WwzHk
via YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWpy1YVGY1A

Liked on YouTube: 潜意识，下意识 "Subconscious" Qiányìshí, xiàyìshí in Taijiquan

潜意识，下意识 "Subconscious" Qiányìshí, xiàyìshí in Taijiquan
"Qi"? What Qi if there is no intent, what intent if someone even spelled it wrong and only "Win stun" (Wing Chun, etc.) is subconsciously coming out when you do Classical Tai Chi? (It's subconscious by the way, some do it naturally, some never get it because other subconscious baloney gets in the way). Uncovering the Treasure by Stephen Hwa, Ph.D. p. 25 "There is a more subtle but powerful reason why the martial arts aspect of Tai Chi is important. Tai Chi Form should be practiced with "Yi" (martial art intention). "Yi" is not something complex and elaborate. It is single-minded and somewhat intuitive with the desire to deliver the internal power externally through hands, arm, and foot, whatever the movements. If the hand is moving forward, then the Yi goes to the palm and fingers; if the hand is moving laterally in a blocking movement, then the Yi goes to the leading edge on the side of the hand, etc. Once the practitioner masters the "Yi", it is no longer a conscious effort. It becomes subconscious and comes naturally whenever the practitioner makes a move."
via YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6nnCNErN4Q

World Tai Chi Day Square Form

World Tai Chi Day Square Form Video

My secret to learning: Get next to uber-intelligent, skilled, and talented people then make lots of mistakes. One mistake is to not pay attention to the core, yes, even in Square Form, exclusively summed up in something that he says which is: "For the beginner, the difficulty lies in the mental discipline in which all attention has to be concentrated on the core region." I think the problem of "attention to the core" comes from certain factors, one of which is the "Western" concept of "exercise" which goes for "repetition" in all its forms. The best advice I can give is not to go after repetitions as though it is a contest to see how many that one can do. The object is to simply feel the stretch and energy flow, keywords, "simply feel", not to engage in trying to strengthen the core like a sit-up or crunch. The difference in the latter is one of building muscle for muscle sake, in the former it is to tune the nervous system so that it can move the extremities from the core. Square Form is an excellent way to "tune the nervous system" because its controlled movement creates a venue where localized nerve impulses do not flourish...but precision does.

World Tai Chi Day Square FormThe Square Form: Each movement in the Square Form always starts and ends with a complete stop. The movement itself is rather resolute and brisk. The playtime of the entire Form, therefore, consists of stopping time and movement time with both times comparable. The "stop" or "pause" between moves in the Square Form is a great opportunity for the practitioner to do the following:

 • Examine body structure and feet position. Is everything in the right place?

 • Enjoy the sensation of stretching, rooting,

   ... and prepare for the next move so that it will be carried out with conviction and intent.