Neuromuscular Re-education

 

Walking is “Premier” 

(”Classical Tai Chi Walking Exercise”, a Master Stephen Hwa video)

In Classical Tai Chi (specifically the Small Frame/Small Circle Wu Style), "Internal Discipline" serves as a bridge to connect with the long-neglected nervous system of the torso. 

Most people operate using a "top-down" approach, relying entirely on the motor cortex to move external extremities, such as the arms and shoulders. Because we rarely isolate or consciously control the deep, intrinsic muscles of our abdomen, back, and spine, the neural pathways to these regions remain largely dormant or "neglected". 

Classical Tai Chi methodology awakens this part of the central nervous system through a highly structured neuromuscular re-education process. 

1. Intense Inward Focus and Neuromuscular Control 

To initiate a true internal movement, a beginner cannot rely on habit. They must focus their mind intensely inward to find and activate hidden muscle groups. For example, instead of pushing a hand forward using the shoulder and arm (an external movement), Classical Tai Chi dictates that the arm and shoulder remain relaxed and completely stationary relative to each other. The entire upper quarter of the body is instead pushed forward by pressing the abdominal muscles back and engaging the deep back muscles. This demanding neuromuscular coordination forces the brain to build entirely new neural pathways to the torso.

2. The Yin-Yang Junction Exercise

According to Stephen Hwa, every true internal movement relies on a physical counterpart of opposite nature: a moving part (Yang) working against a stationary part (Yin) that provides the structural support. 

• The Torso as the Anchor: The biological junction where Yin and Yang meet is always located within the torso (the waist or the upper-quarter body).
• Neural Feedback Loop: By keeping one part of the torso completely still while another micro-moves, the practitioner registers an intense, localized sensation of stretching and energy circulation. This precise mechanical tension sends a clear, powerful stream of sensory feedback up the spinal canal to the brain, mapping out areas of the body that were previously "numb" to our awareness. 

3. Micro-Movements of the Spine and Vertebrae

In many standard Tai Chi practices, the torso moves as one rigid block. Master Hwa's training teaches isolated movements along individual vertebrae, such as "folding" the spine, in which one side of the spine folds inward while the other remains anchored. Operating at this level of physical detail requires and develops an incredibly fine-tuned degree of motor-nerve control over the axial skeleton and paraspinal muscles.

4. Shifting from a "Pushing" to a "Pulling" Walking Model 

The nervous system of the lower torso is heavily impacted by how we walk. Standard walking relies on "pushing" our body mass forward, which often jams the lower joints, tightens the fascia, and irritates nerves (like the sciatic nerve).

• Classical Tai Chi Walk forces the body to stay straight and step out without shifting weight forward yet.
• Once the foot touches the ground, the practitioner uses the deep core and abdominal muscles to pull the pelvis and body weight forward.
• This pulling action decompresses the spine, opens up dense tissue, and relieves chronic nerve compression in the lower back and torso.

5. Transitioning to Subconscious Mastery

It takes time, but "bottom-up" practice becomes habitual. You had to slow down your mental concentration to reach complete reliance on the subconscious. At this stage, the practitioner no longer has to "think" about moving from their core; the nervous system automatically commands the torso to initiate every movement, leaving the mind entirely clear to enjoy the fluid sensation of internal energy.

Getting "better" in Classical Tai Chi

Sitback, sitback, sitback till there is a "crease" in the front not merely a "wrinkle". Turn the body, turn the body, turn the body to ward off. Don't bend the arm, don't bend the arm, don't bend the arm...review, review, review...

I have been told by students that telling them to review is "Preaching to the choir" in Classical Tai Chi.  A cliche' if there ever was one...right?  I hear it from students and it seems to be in a way that discourages doing it.  An idiomatic expression that means "you are wasting time" and "what you are doing is useless because you are boring, annoying, I've heard it a million times and I am already persuaded."

• Well for one, you are listening to me. You are here because you want to be here and you want to hear "preaching".
• A student or potential student is not the teacher.  A class needs a teacher.  You can think for yourself but you need someone who can see a little further into the future and can focus your efforts.  Someone who can inspire and motivate you.

When I hear "you are preaching to the choir", I can certainly read between the lines because what a student is saying is that they do not want to hear the lesson again.  Or, they do not have a problem, it is the other guy who has a problem.  In other words the student is passively resisting what the teacher has to say.  Why?  It is because teaching that you do not wish to hear again is teaching that you really do not agree with.  If you say you agree with me, not wanting to hear me and telling me to do something else is not a "positive" response to teaching.

"Talk is cheap, put your money where your mouth is". Another cliche', but it certainly has not been "cheapened" (no pun intended) by repetition, review or great improvement. In other words, back up your "agreement" with action and committment. Things are not always a "problem" either, sometimes it simply means doing something good, helpful or better.

"Better", "doing better, "get better", etc. Pure and simple, people forget, you forget, I forget, we all forget.  For as long as you do Classical Tai Chi, you will have to not only learn, learn, learn but you will have to review, review, review.  Want to get better?  Review, and review some more. 

Here is a great quote for your perusal: 

"You need to remember, sometimes the appearance of reality is actually an illusion. My students in class often told me that they thought I was moving a certain way and tried to do the same.  Later they found out that their observation was not correct.  That was the reason I incorporated different views in my DVD lessons, so you could see my moves at different angles to lessen the chance of wrong impression.  Using a fresh eye to review the lesson DVD could also uncover any misinterpretation of my movements."

"Learning Tai Chi often follows an unexpected path: advancement followed by periods of stagnation and even a turn for the worse.  This is because at this stage, you still have not built a firm foundation under your form practice.  Once you are familiar with the movements, you may become careless, neglecting some of the fundamentals in the form playing.  You can test this by critically looking at how you do the tai chi walk.  My experience with my students in class is that such review often showed missing details which they had done correctly years past. Eventually when you full grasp the principles, rationale and common thread of the movements you will be able to maintain an even keel progress and make discoveries on you own"  Master Stephen Hwa

I recall someone telling me they were "scolded" for offering a suggestion regarding someone's Classical Tai Chi form. The individual told them, "I know what I am doing is right because I have been doing it for "x" amount of years."  That is not a reason, that is an excuse. The person and I later discussed the incident and I asked: "Why do you think they said that".  He replied: "Because they do not want to get any better".