Classical Tai Chi in The Google Age

 

 Learning Internal Discipline 

A video

 

How to Learn Internal Discipline 

 A video

In the Google age of instant information and rapid, conspicuous consumption, Classical Tai Chi, with its “Internal Discipline”, draws attention to the value of becoming genuinely competent by assimilating internal movement and concepts rather than rushing through the learning process. Many practitioners note that mastering tai chi requires more than just watching videos.

 

The deeper aspects of Classical Tai Chi—such as internal energy, mindful movement, and the integration of mind and body—are developed over years of consistent practice and can often be learned through digital instruction, which can provide corrections and explanations that in-person instruction cannot.

 

This slow, deliberate approach aligns with Classical Tai Chi’s roots in Taoist philosophy, which encourages self-reflection and patience. Although apps and online tutorials are available, the important caveat is that practice itself is not easily mastered through quick, superficial learning.

 

Many students new to the art believe that the true essence of tai chi lies in its outward form. Classical Tai Chi is rooted in cultivating internal discipline, a process that takes time to mature. The world is used to immediate results; Classical Tai Chi stands as a reminder that meaningful progress often comes from patience, presence, and sustained effort.

 

A practice like Classical Tai Chi is indeed wise, as it emphasizes deep understanding over superficial learning. Hwa, a student of Grand Master Young Wabu, who was a direct disciple of the legendary Wu Chien Chuan, teaches a form rooted in the principles of Internal Discipline, which involves using internal movements and internal power to direct and empower external movements.

 

This approach is considered essential for achieving the actual health benefits and martial arts applications of Tai Chi. Many practitioners find that the depth of Master Hwa’s instruction, which includes detailed explanations of the torso’s role in movement and the integration of internal energy, is rare and highly valuable. Students have good reports about the comprehensive nature of his online video courses:

 

https://classical-tai-chi.teachable.com/ 

 

and the book, Uncovering the Treasure, 

 

https://www.amazon.com/Uncovering-Treasure-Classical-Internal-Energy/dp/1449917895/ref=sr_1_1

 

The reports are that the book and online course provide a complete and systematic methodology that eliminates guesswork and offers a clear path to mastery.

 

The focus on internal discipline, such as the "Torso Method," helps practitioners connect their movements to their core, leading to a more holistic and effective practice. The Torso Method is a very complex approach. Given the complexity and depth of this approach, taking time to learn and internalize these principles is crucial for long-term progress and genuine understanding.

 

Uncovering the Treasure: Classical Tai Chi's Path to Internal Energy & Health

This foundational book by Dr. Stephen Hwa distills decades of research into a coherent and practical guide. It introduces the "Torso Method"—the core concept that internal movement must lead external form. Readers praise its clarity, especially when compared to the vague or mystical language commonly found in other Tai Chi literature.

 

The book doesn’t just describe movements; it explains why they work, making it ideal for analytical minds and long-time practitioners disillusioned with incomplete teachings.

 

 

Classical Tai Chi Practice Stands Out in the Google Age of Immediate Understanding

 

While YouTube tutorials and quick online guides offer convenience, they often miss the subtle, internal mechanics that define authentic Tai Chi. Master Hwa’s teaching fills this gap by:

• Demystification of internal energy through the biomechanics of Round Form
• Prioritizing precision over aesthetics through Square Form
• Building health and martial power through correct structure and movement
• Preserving a lineage from Wu Chien Chuan via Grand Master Young Wabu  

 

As students noted:

J. R., New York 

The longer I'm with Tai Chi, the more I'm impressed by a teacher's ability/desire to explain things to students rather than the variety of forms they teach. What Stephen Hwa teaches online and by book is the best explanation I've come across in 30 years of practicing and teaching Tai Chi, and I've told him that. I should add that it is now my 50th year of practicing and teaching. I have been with Master Hwa since 2003.  He has instituted an online "Teachable Course"  which is excellent.  It has the use of 2 cameras in many of the lessons which is a real plus.  https://classical-tai-chi.teachable.com/  The prices are really great in an era where in-person instruction often takes private lessons and many $$$.

 

T. M., Virginia

I am shocked that I can learn from your DVD so readily. I was apprehensive about learning from a DVD, since my previous lessons with a teacher in a class had not gone very smoothly. Your teaching is so thorough and orderly. DVD's capabilities of play in slow motion repetitively at will and from different angles are more suitable for learning than classroom learning.

 

T. C., Washington

The key element, for me, is the "Internal Discipline" which Dr. Hwa presents so clearly. In my experience of trying out different taijiquan styles and teachers, this information and guidance on "internal discipline" is scarce. If you study Wu style with him, you're very fortunate. I had no idea that a direct student of Wu Jianquan's was lived and taught here in the U.S. I first read about Young Wabu in an article that appeared  in "Qi" magazine.