Videos Teach Internal Discipline Part 1

VIDEO FOR INTERNAL

You feel you only want a class and can't learn from videos? I am republishing this article, which was initially published in 2020, and which some consider the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

  I told Master Hwa in November 2020 that we both are the “poster child” for video learning and ultimate success. If someone is a “poster child” for a particular cause, characteristic, or activity, they are seen as a very good or typical example of it.  

I also address the benefits of video learning in this narrative: Master Stephen Hwa is showing "Yin/Yang pairing" in the photo, what moves and what does not move in the Square Form of "Cloud Hands". 

I decided to just stand and watch the students' attempts to exactly follow Master Stephen Hwa at the Buffalo State College Workshop in 2011. All of these students have some experience with learning, some 1 year, and some had 8 years of experience. Please allow me to reiterate my own experience with video learning. 

Before becoming one of the first "closed-door" and "disciple students," I learned from a VHS video of Wu's Style that I bought in Black Belt Magazine, 1980. Going to Toronto after that, once a week to study, and Eddie Wu told me I was the first he ever encountered who learned from video, and he said "...it was perfect, very smooth...". That is traditional teaching or what is called “outside in” but for “large circle” Tai Chi. 

As Master Stephen Hwa says in his YouTube video on learning "internal discipline": 

"Some people are hesitant to learn from a video; they prefer to go to class and stand behind the teacher to understand the movements. But that is actually the most inefficient way of learning. You are watching the teacher, and at the same time, you are trying to move. "

"Also, you only see large movements and neglect the minor ones, especially the footwork angles and positions. Footwork is the most important part of movement. In my videos, we always label the directions N, S, E, and W so that you can correctly see the angles of the movements. You also know that sometimes you have to turn your head to see the teacher, or sometimes you cannot see them because your back is in front of them. I have always included "back view" videos, which you follow as you stand behind the teacher. The front and side views are critical. In fact, my own teacher, Young Wabu, thought that way in every class. He wanted us to sit in classes and watch him play the form."

" I also want to say, just watching this kind of visual learning saved me, as I filmed him doing the form. It saved me because he lived in Hong Kong and occasionally visited Rochester, NY. Later in my business travels, I was away from Rochester and had little chance to see him." 

"All during that time, I could practice; however, the visual learning enabled me to remember his movements and words. Regarding learning and targeting specific form movements, the video is the most efficient way of learning. Here, you can go back and forth reviewing the steps repeatedly. With my YouTube videos, and my https://classical-tai-chi.teachable.com/ courses. 

Of course, the videos can change the "streaming speed" to half speed, and you can download the "teachable" videos to your own storage or USB drive. Really, what is essential about class and group learning is when you want to do a "push hands" inspired exercise. Learning the form is a private affair; one is constantly negotiating with oneself. This is especially true when you are a little bit advanced, so you should be aware that "Teachable" provides methods to communicate with the teacher that are quite streamlined."

“I have a YouTube video titled “How To Learn Internal Discipline of Small Circle Tai Chi" and it talks about the concept of " inside out vs outside in" . All traditional methods of teaching have been "outside in". 

Master Hwas video rings a certain chord with me every time I watch it. I have encountered many students who want internal discipline and do not see it is fundamentally incompatible with the idea of achieving its benefits without dedicated effort and hard work.

Another important fundamental to learning internal discipline is the “METHOD” that one uses to get it. 

PART 2 NEXT WEEK “METHOD”

Master Hwa’s video is linked above.