Integrate “Yi” a primer

“Intent” video primer

 

Step-by-step instructions I follow to integrate Martial Intent (Yi) into my practice. I never was taught or began to do this till 2003. All practice back to 1976 was Yang and Wu Styles Large Frame and there never was an inkling of the term “Martial Intent” (Yi) from teachers.

• Beginning each practice and setting a clear intention: “This is a martial art.”
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• Practicing one posture at a time, mentally directing Yi (Martial Intent) to the leading body part—e.g., the palm, fingertips, or the edge of the hand—depending on the movement. Remembering Master Stephen Hwa's words: “martial intent is a tool for developing Qi”.
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• Remembering, I want no localized impulses (e.g., flicks, flourishes, or tension in hands/fingers) that disrupt the flow of internal energy. 
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• Moving by using IInternal Discipline so that all motion originates from the abdomen and back, not the limbs. 
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• Repeating each posture multiple times (blocked practice) before linking it into sequences, reinforcing correct Yi with repetition. 
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• Ultimately, but gradually integrating Yi into the entire form, maintaining consistent mental focus throughout. 
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• Using pauses at directional changes( in Square Form) to check alignment, relaxation, and intent. 
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• Visualizing an opponent during each movement to reinforce the martial application behind the posture.
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• After much practice of each posture outlined above, do random practice (mixing postures unpredictably) to deepen adaptability and subconscious mastery of Yi. 
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• Monitoring physical feedback—warm hands/fingers indicate proper Qi flow; cold fingers suggest extraneous nerve activity or poor Yi. 

Not a Proficient Practitioner?

 Classical Tai Chi Walk

CONTINUATION OF DIALOGUE: Some time ago Stephen Hwa, PhD who is the Master Instructor of Classical Tai Chi started a discussion in the Classical Tai Chi email "group" on "learning paths" which can benefit those students who do not wish to be "proficient" practitioners of the entire art. There has been very little activity in that group for some time, hence the desire to continue the dialogue in other venues such as Facebook, Blog and email to my students, some of whom have studied with him in workshops. 

The central idea is to tailor the teachings to a large and varied population, thus attaining a substantial student body and maintaining a viable school. In my visits to Florida and my correspondence with him I have witnessed his experimentation with this concept of "tailoring". I have also organized and participated in workshops in which he reiterated these different scopes of teaching.

 On the whole I see that he has extracted certain parts of the art which are suitable for certain segments of population, such as the elderly. Along with this is his extraction and iteration of how teachers can attain a different approach to initiate students into the art both keeping their interest high from the beginning and continuing right through the course. In gathering my thoughts on this I keep coming up against the thought that Classical Tai Chi has a very good methodology for dealing with one specific need and problem of the elderly that does not entail them becoming "proficient practitioners". This is so unlike many Tai Chi programs which seem somewhat "run of the mill". In their desire to "help" all of them they still take the course that students including such population as the elderly need to take the "scope" of how a "proficient practitioner" would proceed in their learning. To continue with this dialog I have outlined one "approach" to a very specific problem and segment of population.

CLASSICAL TAI CHI AND FALLS PREVENTION IN OLDER PEOPLE.

BACKGROUND:

There is hardly a lack of research programs and data that has been gathered which attempt to show that what can only be called "generic Tai Chi" can amend what are many characteristics in older adults that place them at increased risk of falling, including poor balance, loss of strength, limited flexibility, and fear of falling. On the other hand I have not seen any studies which have directly examined the influence of the internal discipline of a Classical Tai Chi “walking” or lower body practice on falls in this population.

PROBLEMS:

There have been randomized controlled trials utilizing generic Tai Chi or Tai Chi-inspired exercise which were published between 1996 and July, 2007. The studies varied considerably on study settings, participant characteristics, sample size, type of Tai Chi intervention, length of intervention and quality of the study design. Of the six studies that used generic Tai Chi forms, three purport to show significant improvement in fall-related outcomes. One study using generic Tai Chi-inspired exercise also purported to have a significant fall-related outcome. In each of those studies however some type or variation of a Tai Chi standard “form” or series of controlled movements which teach “postures” was used. My experiences as well as those of my own teacher Stephen Hwa, PhD speak to the difficulty of teaching “postures” where it is somewhat of a cliché’ when one consistently hears statements on the order of: “I can’t remember, do I raise the left hand or right hand, turn left or turn right, etc when I do this” AND similar statements. This is the bane of students who start a program that emphasizes the rote memorization of Tai Chi forms and/or separate practices of auxiliary “exercises”.

PROPOSALS:

Despite the evidence which purports demonstrating the beneficial influence of Tai Chi practice on known risk factors for falling in older adults, evidence indicating an actual impact on falls-related outcomes is equivocal. One wonders if a large-scale study that emphasized the specific parameters of “internal discipline” in Classical Tai Chi walking an emphasis on lower body training might be more meaningful. Might this type of study be able to be more consistent as an intervention? Might this type of study be more clinically meaningful in clarifying the role of Classical Tai Chi “walking” training rather than the larger scale of the entire art of Tai Chi as an effective falls prevention program. A Classical Tai Chi “walking” training program is already in play for the training of any practitioner who wishes to become proficient in the art. On the other hand, not everyone wants to become proficient in the art. Above all, might this type of study be organized into a viable research program and collection of data which does indeed show that Classical Tai Chi above all others can amend the characteristics connected with "falling" that I have outlined?

METHODOLOGY: Whether aware of it or not, each human being is faced with a dilemma in the form of what has been called “controlled falling” each and every time we take a step. In other words the center of gravity is NOT under control and we delude ourselves if we think it is. This is not to say we haven’t learned very well how to keep each leg (NOTE THE EXTENSIVE USE OF AN EXTREMITY THE 'LEG") moving fast enough to catch ourselves thus translating such momentum into “walking”. Is it any wonder then that we are subject to falling as we grow older, losing strength in the legs, losing feeling in the feet, losing coordination, etc. ? What has happened to the role of the rest of the body in this dilemma, "rest of the body" being the core or torso? In essence we are relying on the very mechanisms that were faulty to begin with to carry us through an old age that may also be fraught with disease. It is my contention in agreement with my own teacher that not every student who starts Tai Chi wishes to become proficient in the art. On the other hand, the Classical Tai Chi walking training has many facets, some are in the form of exercise, this also tunes the nervous system in the lower body as well as strengthening it and the walking training teaches the student how to maintain the correct body posture. Additional elements of the walking training teach the student how to integrate the principles of Tai Chi walking into everyday life. The essence of “walking” training is to teach the student to use “internal discipline” to direct the movements of the torso to move the legs.

The fact that we see many elderly as well as even younger people whose movements are really concentrated in the legs and feet (as well as arms, shoulders, etc.) and less on the core of the body is an indictment of already being on the road to deteriorating health. The torso is not being used, one sees people both young and old walking with unsteady steps.

EXAMPLE 1. One example of a “walking” training exercise might consist of having the student stand with feet parallel and visualize that the pelvis is a very real extension of either leg. With this visualization in mind the student raises either the right or left hip by using the abdomen and back to lift either right or left side of the pelvis, and this in turn lifts the leg. The student moves the foot forward and stretches the pelvis down until the foot is fully planted. This is how the leg movement is “internally driven” with upper body remaining still. and once planted the foot “pulls” the body forward.

Thus a comprehensive Classical Tai Chi walking program for falls prevention composed of numerous “internal discipline” where for example training exercises such as “Example 1” can be implemented

It is my sincere hope that those health professionals in the community as well as those who are proficient practitioners would also contribute to this dialogue on the efficacy of this Classical Tai Chi "walking" training. For example, what might the role of an Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapist, public health practitioner, senior service provider, clinician be who wants to address "falling" among the elderly in the community? Could an Occupational Therapist, a Physical Therapist, etc. be trained sufficiently themselves to implement the "walking" as a viable program or could they collaborate with a Classical Tai Chi instructor in such a program? Could there be such a collaboration as an implementation of a study or studies which do examine the influence of a Classical Tai Chi walking practice on falls in such a population as outlined in "Proposals"?

Jim Roach,

Sifu, Classical Tai Chi of California 

“Flowery Hands & Fidgety Feet”

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

Internal vs. External Energy

Stephen Hwa, a former scientist at Xerox Corporation, brought an analytical and systematic approach to the art, emphasizing Internal Discipline—the use of internal power and movement originating from the core rather than superficial muscular effort and its problems of “localized impulses”. 

Localized Impulses in Practice

In Classical Tai Chi, localized impulses refer to small, unconscious movements or nerve activations—especially in the hands, fingers, arms, and shoulders—that disrupt the flow of internal energy. These include flicks, flourishes, tension, or micro-movements not driven by the core.

• Practicing "form" with no awareness of localized impulses and no internal discipline  leads to the saying: "flowery hands and embroidered ( fidgety) feet," which looks good but lacks any real substance or practical application.

Master Stephen Hwa emphasizes that during form practice, the upper limbs should move as an extension of the torso, not through isolated arm or hand actions. When a practitioner uses localized impulses, they break the continuity of internal energy transmission from the dantien (core) through the limbs.

Why Students Deny or Misunderstand Localized Impulses

Students do not know the “localized  impulses” term, are not aware of the concept  “extraneous movement” , hence often denying their localized impulses due to:

• Lack of body awareness: Many practitioners are not yet sensitive to subtle neuromuscular activity in the extremities.
• Mental distraction: The upper limbs' function is described as "entirely abstract and mental," making them prone to unconscious interference.
• Misinterpretation of fluidity: It is essential that students not simply make graceful movements like hand waving and think their practice is correct. This is localized control, not core-driven control.
• Denial due to habit: As one student with cold fingers was found to have a habitual hand-flourishing habit, correcting the issue required acknowledging the impulse first.

Master Hwa notes that it is often harder to train a student not to move than to move, underscoring the challenge of eliminating these impulses.

The Role of Martial Intent (Yi)

Central to overcoming denial of localized impulses is cultivating Yi (martial intent). Yi is not imagination or analogy—it is a focused, single-minded intention to deliver internal power through the limbs, as in martial application.

When Yi is correctly applied:

• The mind directs energy to the point of action (e.g., palm, fingertips, edge of hand).
• Movements become purposeful, not decorative.
• The practitioner avoids extraneous motions because they interfere with power delivery.

As Master Hwa states, once Yi is mastered, it becomes subconscious and natural, eliminating the need for deliberate control—and with it, the tendency to insert unnecessary impulses.

Square Form as a Corrective Tool

The Square Form is a foundational training method in Classical Tai Chi designed to eliminate localized impulses. It features:

• Straight-line movements with clear start and end points.
• Pauses at directional changes, reinforcing awareness of what moves and what remains still.
• A template-like structure that makes deviations obvious.

By practicing Square Form, students learn precise segmental control, ensuring that only the intended part moves while others remain still. This trains the nervous system to suppress localized impulses and instead let movement originate from the core.

As one analogy goes: Square Form is like Kai Shu (block calligraphy)—structured and deliberate—while Round Form is like Cao Shu Cursive Script, fluid but built on that foundation.

Health and Energetic Consequences

Localized impulses are not just technical flaws—they have tangible effects:

• Disruption of Qi flow, leading to symptoms such as cold fingers, as observed in one of Hwa's students.
• Reduced martial effectiveness, since power cannot be fully transmitted through a limb with extraneous motion.
• Compromised health benefits, as improper movement can strain joints or inhibit internal energy circulation.

Progressive Practice Strategy

Masters Wu Chien Chuan and Wabu Young in the picture. My own teacher states that Young Wabu was dominated by Wu Chien Chuan when they met  and "compared"  skills.   Young Wabu was no doubt very skilled at Tai Chi. However, if we say that Wu Chien Chuan passed on all or even  part of his skill (note I did not say his curriculum) it also raises the “how to gain skill” question? 

There is a fairly extensive curriculum in Classical Tai Chi but it also matters what method(s) are used to study.  Whether DVD or “online” Classical Tai Chi @ Teachable.com it also matters how the curriculum is studied. In the picture, Master Hwa is demonstrating how to do a posture to me. How did I learn to do the posture on my own and gain skill in it? 

 I first “Blocked”, then “Serialed”, then “Randomed” my practice of that posture. 

Blocked Practice

Blocked practice involves practicing a Tai Chi posture (single motor skill) repeatedly before moving on to another skill.  I had to isolate that posture on the DVD and  nowadays online,not doing any other movements.  In the lexicon of blocked practice it requires: 

• Constant practice
• Fixed practice
• Drills
• Repetition (often described as "repetition without repetition" in contrast to random practice)
• Low contextual interference practice

Serial Practice

Serial practice involves practicing a set of motor skills in a specific, repeating, and predictable order. 

Random Practice

Random practice involves practicing multiple skills in a mixed, unpredictable order, creating high contextual interference. 

These practice schedules are often discussed along with what is called  “Contextual Interference Continuum” ( C I C), with blocked practice at the low end of interference and random practice at the high end. 

Comparison of Practice Types in Classical Tai Chi

Blocked Practice

Serial Practice

Random Practice

Blocked Practice

Repeat one posture/form multiple times before switching

Serial Practice

Fixed order of multiple forms (e.g., 108 Form sequence)

Random Practice

Forms/postures practiced in unpredictable order

Cognitive Load

Low for Blocked

Moderate for Serial

High for Random

Skill Acquisition Speed

Fast for Blocked

Moderate for Serial

Slow for Random

Retention & Transfer

Poor for Blocked

Good for Serial

Excellent for Random

Contextual Interference

Low for Blocked

Medium for Serial

High for Random

Best For

Beginners learning new postures   Blocked

Intermediate learners refining flow      Serial

Advanced learners improving adaptability    Random

Example in Classical Tai Chi

Practicing "Preparation Form” 10 times straight.  Blocked

Repeating the first 5 moves of the 108 Square Form and/or Round Form in order.  Serial

Randomly selecting and performing any of the 108 forms without pattern. Random