Chán sī gōng (纏絲功), literally, chan si work

 Quite a skill moving 1/4 body video

Master Stephen Hwa has a specific way of using “Silk-Reeling exercises” for training within Classical Tai Chi. The Classical Tai Chi Round Form provides many linked movements that can also be used for Silk-Reeling. This involves unlinking specific movements from the Long Form and using modifications to simplify them yet maintain their continuity. The purpose is to capture the internal benefits of classical tai chi.

 

These exercises are designed to be choreographically simple but require subtle and demanding neuromuscular control. They focus on internal movements originating from the body's core. When one converts a segment of the form into a symmetrical, continuous movement, a unique process is involved. This allows beginning students to isolate and refine the principles of body unity, internal energy, and coordination. This method is intended to make the advanced internal movements more accessible, particularly for those who may not be ready to learn the entire Long Form.

 

One can then concentrate on practicing just those few movements. This is, of course, different than practicing the Tai Chi form, which, as we know, is vast in scope. So, we have reduced things to an effortless motion and can work on that. This concentration is concerned with the movement's kernel and goes to its heart, which is the internal.

 

These movements are not easy, and some of them are highly advanced. Regarding these movements, we see that practitioners in old times did not begin silk reeling until after about 10 years of experience. Now, however, considering improved teaching methods, we can teach beginners and see that people do get it and enjoy it. Our pride and joy of improved methods being at “Teachable”:

https://classical-taichi.teachable.com/

 It is convincing that anyone you want to teach can incorporate this into the teaching program. This incorporation can parallel teaching the Tai Chi form to maintain the students' interest.

 

A movement considered the most advanced but simple to learn is moving one hand in conjunction with the body’s core/torso movement.  The hand becomes a tool of the body's core movement and does not move independently.  

 

With either the right or left arm hanging down at the side, you slightly stretch it down at the shoulder.  I repeat "slightly" for you, so you don't want to bend your body as you stretch.  One can concentrate on the elbow and slightly stretch at the shoulder as you do this.  Then you move the body on the right or left side to move the arm.  Ask yourself if you feel the connection between the arm and the abdomen.

 

A common mistake occurs when that movement is taught.  This mistake occurs when students start bending the arm at the elbow.  Once the elbow is bent, you immediately lose the connection between the abdomen and the arm.  This loss of connection occurs because your concentration goes to the forearm instead of the body.  So the whole arm has to move like a unit and not bend at the elbow.

 

In observing students try this, one also sees them angling the arm across the front of the body from right to left or left to right.  You should keep the arm moving straight ahead and not across your front.  Other mistakes I observe are students drooping the engaged shoulder, sometimes drooping one entire side of the body, and even cocking their head down as well.  If you observe the students in the attached video link above, YouTube “Quite a skill…” you will see what I mean and what to avoid.