Key Points in Square Form

 Key Points in Square Form

Key points on practicing Square Form:

 

1. To achieve internal movements, the body must have yin(stationary part) and yang (moving part) paired at the right place. Learning to set the yin-yang pair correctly, the first task is to learn how to set the yin part of the body correctly which is what Square Form trains you to do.  That is why Square Form looks robotic-when one part of the body moves the other parts of the body remain completely still. 

Therefore, in practicing Square Form the more robotic you look, the better. If you do not maintain the stillness while other parts of the body are moving, the objective of doing Square Form is compromised. You need to know that these yin-yang pairs practiced in the Square Form are embedded in the Round Form dynamically transforming from one yin-yang pair to another to give the effect of constant motion and continuity.  

 

2. Round Form should be played with continuity; while the Square Form should have a pause between each move. Make sure you make the most of this pause: Examine your body structure and see if everything is in the right place. You should enjoy the sensations of stretching, rooting, and energy. Prepare the next move so that the move is carried out with intent and conviction.

 

3. Be patient, pay attention to every little detail in the Form shown on the DVDs, or the online Teachable.com course and try to play it accordingly. Pay special attention to the footwork. Square form is a golden opportunity to get these choreographic details right. 

Hypothesis: Less flexible core has arterial stiffening

• • The links to these articles take the position that traditional exercise, "strength training," situps, weight lifting, etc., does more than "tone" muscles to the point where they look "firm"; one might even say "stiff."  The additional harmful effect of strength training might act to firm and stiffen arteries in the body. I will give information on how Tai Chi improves what is called "arterial compliance." If Tai Chi, in general, improves arterial compliance/flexibility, then Wu Style Classical Tai Chi uses a more direct method to make said improvements; it goes directly to the Core of the body, unlike the majority of Tai Chi methods. Classical Tai Chi, emphasizing "internal discipline" from the torso/core, can dynamically improve and is much more than skin deep. So what are the Major Arteries, where are they found? Well, there is the "Aorta," which is the largest in the body, and it connects to the left ventricle of the heart...located in the Core. There are the "Carotids," which are in the head and neck. There are "Aortic subdivisions, coronaries and subclavian" in the Torso...located in the Core.

    Studies in Europe compared the health of older adults who practiced tai chi and those who did not practice. Though the study did not directly test tai chi, it did find that tai chi practitioners' large and small vessels were more flexible ("Why Tai Chi Makes Sense for the Elderly," June 2012, Atlantic Monthly). And the more flexible the arteries, the better one's overall cardiovascular health generally is. Poor arterial flexibility is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disorders— diseases affecting the heart and blood vessels. Stephen Hwa, Ph.D., is a Tai Chi Master who has repeatedly stated that "tai chi has to serve two purposes. It has to serve as a martial art and as a means to improve health." You can think of tai chi as a way to fight back against the effects of aging: losing flexibility, balance, and muscle strength.

     

    As a reference point for correct movement, Dr. Hwa used the example of the movement of children who use much more of their Torso for initiating action. He said when children use their arms or legs; the motion originates from the Torso, the strongest part of the body. He said the arms and legs should be treated as appendages, and they must be taught to move in coordination with and under the direction of the Torso.

    "As we start aging," according to Dr. Hwa, "less and less of our movements come from the waist and back. We hold our middle stiffly, and more of our movements originate from the shoulders and the hip joints. This stiffness of the Torso puts the onus for movement and actual physical pressure to move on joints, and we lose strength and mobility. Ultimately, we may stop using these areas of our bodies altogether. Atrophy then sets in, creating the major problems of aging."

    Note the statements about "...less and less of our movements come from the waist and back, ...hold middle stiffly..., ...pressure on joints, lose strength and mobility...

    One has to wonder how holding the Torso so stiffly increases pressure on joints and how it contributes to arteries' stiffening of arteries? All of this is correlated to growing older, so how does it not seem a simple matter to increase the amount of motion we make from the Torso? What is the best way to train this? Does all Tai Chi do this or only select versions? Do some do it better?

     

    "Poor trunk flexibility associated with arterial stiffening" 

    "Why Tai Chi Makes Sense for the Elderly";

    "Like Body, Like Artery"

    "With Tai Chi, Flexibility is more than Skin Deep."

    Some very streamlined teaching by a Master Instructor @Classical Tai ChiTeachable site

    Link to a video of the photo, "Internal Discipline training for young and old..."

    You can take lessons from Dr. Hwa online at Classical Tai Chi, Teachable.com, and see his plethora of information and videos at Classicaltaichi.com. 

  
  

  
  

Yin and Yang for neuromuscular control

 

On the subject of training neuromuscular control via "stillness and movement" of the body; the logic of which should appeal to anyone regardless of their thinking. Teachings from Master Hwa and Grandmaster Young, calligraphy by GM Young as it his own excellent calligraphy, picture courtesy of Dr. Lin Yi Maislin, GM Young's daughter.

"Most untrained people make moves instinctively, not aware how different segments of their body perform different functions in a joint effort to achieve the mission. One of the objectives of Classical Tai Chi is to teach how to identify and then perfect this capability.

Square Form is the first step to teach beginners to be familiar with the concept and practice of segmentation.

When one part of body moves (yang), the rest of the body is completely still (yin). As discussed before, to achieve internal movements, the yin and yang must be paired to form a junction at the right place in the torso. If there is any movement in the yin, the junction will be altered and result in an entirely different kind of move.

That is why when practicing the Square Form the more robotic look, the better. If one does not maintain stillness while other parts of the body move, the object of doing Square Form is compromised.

This is a drill to tune the neuromuscular control of the student. Most beginners cannot keep their neural signals focused on a narrow segment of their body. The diffusion of the signal creates unintended movements. This is called sloppy movements."

"Walk the Walk to Talk the Talk"

 

THEY SAY TAI CHI IS "INTERNAL"; BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE THEY ARE JUST "TALKING THE TALK" WITH "NEXT TO NOTHING" COST

Master Hwa addresses media and various entities as they frequently are "talking the talk" with no substance of "Internal" in his book called "Uncovering the Treasure" by Stephen Hwa, Ph.D. at Amazon.com. The march to publish more books, start more classes, develop more styles of Tai Chi is on the increase. In these videos about Tai Chi at the Mayo Clinic, there is talk of Tai Chi being "an internal martial art". However, in this report, I find that one is left to their own definition of what an "internal martial art" is and how to "get internal" is not made clear. The clinic says "Internal" Tai Chi is good for what ails you but what is the path to "Internal" Tai Chi?

Mayo Clinc on Tai Chi

Mayo Clinic on Tai Chi

Tai Chi is an "internal martial art" but how does one get "internal" if the explanation is a muddy path?

The Clinic states that: " it incorporates Tai Chi into physical medicine and rehabilitation and it does this because it has several components such as meditation as a so-called Chi Kung where you cultivate your energy. The second component is a memorized sequence of slowly, mindfully performed movements that are a way of practicing self-defense movements. Then thirdly it brings this all together in "push hands, a sort of slow-moving "dance" that you do with another person to practice the movements that you have learned in situations where you might have your balance being challenged". Essentially, it was introduced because studies suggest it is good for what ails you because it does not raise the heart rate. Patients ask what they can do for health, and Mayo suggests Tai Chi because it is holistic and might be applicable in several areas. Meditative aspects can help with cultivating equanimity under stress. How does it do this "internally"? How can I learn to "internally" achieve this?

One has to think that Tai Chi must affect our physiology to accomplish all these wonderful claims. When I hear "physiology", I think, ah, my blood is pumping. This is fine, but what goes on "inside" and "internally" when I do Tai Chi? My blood is pumping, my nerves connect, isn't it amazing how my nerves connect back with my brain. However, with no understanding of how this complexity does this, it is as if to say: "Well, I'm standing and moving with another person in this "internal" martial art. This is called push hands with my balance being challenged. So all you nerves you need to boost up my brains understanding so I do not lose my balance".

Media, as you know, has a story or even a byline for everything ever said or that will be said about Tai Chi, for example: "For hundreds of years, people have practiced the Chinese martial art of Tai Chi for its many health benefits. Researchers who study Tai Chi say it can help reduce blood pressure, decrease anxiety, improve flexibility, and much more. For these reasons, some doctors at Mayo Clinic have embraced Tai Chi and are teaching it to their patients."

Remember we are still talking about "internal" martial art. The "Doctor" says "very slow motion", the patient says "just the relaxation helps with aches and pains" and phrases it like a question. The "reporter" says, "Yin and Yang, brings opposites into balance". What does that statement mean in terms of how I can learn to do that internally? "Balance is found through meditation and pushing against one another." The Doctor says, "what you are learning to do is to maintain central equilibrium, that center of gravity, that sense of yourself in the world and your environment". What is the significance of this in terms of how to achieve "internal"? In addition to bringing about balance, Tai Chi can improve your health in many ways, how does one learn to do this "internally"? If the famous Clinic tells us of all the benefits, then are we to accept this "internal" at face value? It seems to me that there is a complexity here about "internal" that is not being talked about. In such complexity, any scientific institution or individual who talks of potential benefits should not only explain the elements of the "internal" discipline but also explain the elements in terms of how to "internally" achieve the benefits. As a science, what are the "rules" that each part follows? What is the logical structure that the rules follow? Finally, what is the calculated scientific reasoning behind the logical structure?