IT CANNOT BE CHANGED

"IT CAN NOT BE CHANGED"! BUT YOU CAN CHANGE YOURSELF

"TAI CHI IS MINDFULNESS"! SO RELISH YOUR FRUSTRATION WITH LEARNING, THAT IS TRUE MINDFULNESS

I once surprised myself when I said "Guilt is of no help in learning this". I said that to a Psychologist who was a teacher at a College in Buffalo. I said it in response to his saying "...that internal discipline is hard, I don't feel like I can do it...". Notice the word "feel", now if that was only true in terms of one's body and not just the mind. My own teacher has said "Tai Chi is hard" and I have a video of him saying that. I would agree with that. Let me also say that each beginning student makes it so. Don't you just dislike that?

 

Tai Chi does not do itself. There is a saying by Grandmaster Wu Chien Chuan: "It can not be changed". It had to do with what the Wu's learned from the Yang Family no doubt because it looked different. "Grandmaster Yeung Wabu said Wu told him that Wu did not change what they learned from the Yang family and insisted that they cannot be changed.' I could see why Wu said that it cannot be changed. With all the interlocking relationships between various elements, any change would oresult in some collapse of the logical structure. (See Uncovering the Treasure, p. iv)

 

Tai Chi may seem hard/challenging/difficult but don't fool yourself with that thought. What is difficult is changing prior habits of body and mind. Example of resistance to change: In an election the winning candidate for governor ate the same lunch every day so he would not have to make unnecessary decisions. Was the candidate "mindful" of doing this?

It is natural for the body and mind to want to cling to information provided by the senses. eg. 

 

Once having learned to walk, as your parents taught you, of course, the body and mind resist changing to Tai Chi walking. Are you "mindful" of your resistance or do you blame the Tai Chi?

I had a student who said he was leaving Tai Chi and taking "Mindfulness Meditation". My take on "mindfulness" other than Classical Tai Chi is a discipline for a lifetime, in one's frustrations one learns to observe their habitual nature....this is "mindfulness"

 

This "observation" comes when one sees an opportunity in their frustration rather than an obstacle. How do I as a teacher and vice versa for students, react to unfulfilled expectations of self and performance. I have never heard anyone who quit say "I did not like the sensations and feelings I experienced". It is what they don't say that speaks volumes. I have never heard "I am not good at this".

 

Most times if anything, one hears: "It is not your fault as a teacher", what I think it means euphemistically is "because I don't understand what I am doing". That is an intellectual observation, dualistic thinking, what of your feelings and sensations regarding the frustration?

 

I see that many people come to Tai Chi with intellectual aspirations (moving like flowing water, relieving stress, etc.) Classical Tai Chi is nonverbal, the language of sensing and feeling. This is frustrating to students who relish thinking and concepts rather than the body.

When you sense frustration, relish that instead, take the opportunity to notice your habitual nature and what you do in its light, this is "mindfulness".

 

The problem is however as you say, people don't want to do the work on a superficial level, but it runs deeper, give credit where credit is due, they catch a tiny glimpse of their habitual nature and they don't like it, then they really don't want to do the work

 

TAI CHI WALK COMPARED TO EVERDAY WALK

TAI CHI WALKING LINK

THERE IS WALKING AND THEN THERE IS TAI CHI WALKING WHERE THE USE OF ABDOMINAL AND BACK MUSCLES IS PRIMARY. BOTH ARE EXPLAINED BELOW:

"TAI CHI INTERNAL WALK uses core power(internal energy)instead of leg power(external energy). This video teaches how to walk this way and its benefits."

"EXTERNAL" OR EVERYDAY WALKING AND THE OBVIOUS QUESTION:

Are the abdominal muscles active during normal walking?

"It may be surprising, but electromyographic (EMG) analysis of the abdominal muscles has demonstrated that the abdominal muscles are quite inactive during walking on a flat surface" (Sheffield & Major, 1962

SEE THIS LINK FOR INFORMATION ON ALL REFERENCES CITED IN THIS POST

https://www.unm.edu/~lkra.../Article%20folder/abdominal.html).

"EMG analysis is the scientific method of measuring the muscle’s electrical activity and contractility during movement, very similar to the way an electrocardiogram (ECG) measures heart rhythm. The rectus abdominis and external oblique muscles exhibit little electrical activity in an erect posture unless the trunk is inclined backward or laterally and/or resistance is applied to the torso (Walters & Partridge, 1957). The internal obliques, on the other hand, are in a state of tension while sitting, standing, and walking, to help stabilize the pelvis" (Floyd & Silver, 1950; Walters & Partridge, 1957).

Anything goes!

 

Marty S. has left a new comment !

"Like anything else to be proficient in tai chi the practitioner must put the time in. As a practitioner of over 40 years, I've learned and I am still learning. 

With that said if you are interested in learning tai chi as a self defense you must practice push hands with many opponents and then practice sparring with many oponents.

You can not get the feel and practical ability without having the experience of sparring. "



Thanks:


It is true that one must "practice push hands and sparring with many opponents" as an integral part of martial training in Tai Chi.  In the case of Classical Tai Chi however, push hands and sparring are taught after one can show at least some rudimentary internal discipline.  Practicing even push hands before that physical internal development is putting the cart before the horse. All it does, is to confuse the student and merely gives one the illusion of progress.  Notice, I say "physical" internal development, because merely having the right mental attitude aka an "internal demeanor"  does not confer physical internal discipline.  We have spoken extensively of Internal Energy, and to reiterate, it occurs inside the body with the physical turning of the body at the core, using a compact frame not the hips, kua, etc. of a large frame.


Now we have to go a bit off the beaten path from our discussion of internal energy to deal with self-defense.  The reason is that in self-defense...anything goes and we are not limited to using internal energy/internal discipline.  I  do agree with your assertion however about push hands/sparring  being an integral part of self defense training, but with the stringent caveat that it also has severe limitations which are overlooked.  My own 40 years of experience and research tell me that sparring, push hands, weapons, etc. are good martial training but unfortunately most often give people the "Illusion" that they have self defense ability.  


 In all self defense situations however,  I learned the hard way that "anything goes" which Tai Chi in a controlled push hands and sparring does not teach.    I also have rather unfortunate experience with personal self defense in light of violent physical attacks. As it has been said, one can be attacked by people and wild animals but what holds one in stead is an accurate appraisal of one's integrity.  In other words, not only an  honest assessment of one's own abilities and/or limitations martially, but ask yourself do you honestly want to hurt someone or do you simply want to just defend yourself. I've met many people over the years both teachers and others who seem to take enjoyment from the hurt that others have to endure at their hands. 



To close,  I think that in being honest with myself and my own abilities  that the experience of sparring and push hands is  wishful thinking when it comes to being mugged by a large group of people. Sparring and push hands is wishful thinking when it comes to someone trying to run you down with their automobile.  Sparring and push hands is wishful thinking when it comes to someone confronting you with a firearm from 5 feet away.  I think you see my point and I'm sure you would agree that sparring and push hands have their uses but we should also be aware of their limitations.  Hence, my feelings that martial training may often give people the illusion of self-defense in one time situations but internal energy is for life.

Dual purposes of Tai Chi

 I'm not a diplomatic teacher, and that sometimes turns people off...I can make no apologies.  I am not diplomatic here.  There has been too much belittling of Tai Chi and I explain that below. I teach students to also check their reasoning in Tai Chi.  My teacher does not pussyfoot with me either, he calls me on it when my reasoning is wobbly or way off.   

Dual purposes here in this video link

When you view the video, read my blog and Facebook, in-depth,  I think you'll find the raison d'etre of Classical Tai Chi is not stress and inner peace.  Many things call themselves Tai Chi but are merely exercise or "wine and cheese" excuses to socialize...they are not Tai Chi.    In my experience, those Tai Chi's all cut corners in learning. Take out movements here, take out moves there, and pretty soon it does not resemble what should be passed on.  You do all that cutting of corners and the whole logical structure collapses. There has been way too much of that  


In my experience, those things like stress relief are "perks" however that come with much, much time, not a fad of the month club.  Tai Chi's existence is to enable one to attain longevity while living like a young person ( while living in the springtime of one's life). This takes time to come. 


Many people don't think Tai Chi is a martial art.   Yang Wabu (my teacher's teacher) was a top-notch martial artist when he met his teacher Wu Chien Chuan. Yang was already a Master of Pekkwar Monkey Boxing and versed in numerous other external styles martial arts .  He was well-known in Hong Kong. Yang told my teacher that he could not mount an attack against Wu because Wu would just keep him off balance.  That is Tai Chi as a martial art. 


 I talk to many people who not only don't think Tai Chi is a martial art, they run the other way when you tell them it is.   In light of things like Tai Chi for seniors, Tai Chi for spiritual growth, Tai Chi for stress relief, Tai Chi for idiots (name of book on Amazon) Tai Chi for arthritis, Tai Chi for Fibromyalgia, Tai Chi for kids, etc. is there any wonder why people think that way? I am a martial artist but above all, I'm here to right the Tai Chi ship not cater to Heinz's 57 varieties of Tai Chi. 


Tai Chi has to achieve 2 purposes, be there for martial ability and be there for health.  It comes from martial artists, for instance, Wu Chien Yau and his son Wu Chien Chuan were bodyguards in the Imperial Palace and officers in the Manchurian Banner Guard.  They learned from the Yang Family (martial instructors of the emperor's family), and Yangs learned from Chens. Wu Chien Chuan (bodyguard/soldier) was a teacher of Young Wabu who was the teacher of Stephen Hwa who is my teacher.  

Can "Controlled Falling" (ordinary walking) improve balance?

 Classical Tai Chi walk goes to numerous dimensions of movement  (video)

Can everyday walking improve your balance?

I told a friend I was going to write this article. They said they vividly recall the time when they broke their femur from attempting to learn rollerblading. One of the family dogs had run in front of them and they crashed onto their side. OK, enough of the anecdotes but I just want to add that their Doctor did not tell them to "take walks" and improve their balance.  The reason being he knew that the friend practiced Tai Chi. However, he was familiar enough with its pros and cons to know that it may not keep beginners from falling on rollerblades.  Taking a walk will not improve balance and here's why:  It is well-researched that everyday walking improves cardio. Walking, however, just keeps you moving your body in one dimension, let's call it "X" and most often that is forward and upright.  Tai Chi multiplies those dimensions, let's add in "Y" and "Z" as you see in the video, side, back, up, down, bending, arms, legs, angles, etc. Your area in which you can viscerally learn postural stability is multiplied, and its size is increased. One learns to "catch" themselves and right their balance in any situation where they go off-kilter. How's that for logical reasons for you to start learning Classical Tai Chi?

Trade in your "inner being" for "internal energy"

Re this image: Getting Internal Energy also involves knowing what is "incorrect" about body structure and what is "correct"...

I would love to join your classes when you start them in California! I hope there is room, or else Im sure I can find another time:) I love energy work and connecting with my Inner Being (as everyone does without knowing it;) Cant wait to start! I take long bike rides. I was wondering if this would hinder any of the energy flow? Maybe it would ground it more? Anyways peace and love!

Peace and Love,

aaauuummm

Dear aaauuummm,

So much of what we do with Classical Tai Chi is directed toward "inner". Conversely there are books, dvd's, varieties of "Tai Chi". In all of those we hear of "inner" as well but what "inner" is has never been made clear and how to achieve "inner" is not articulated.

So much of what we do with Classical Tai Chi is directed toward "energy flow". Conversely there is much information along with many varieties of Tai Chi. In all of those we hear of "energy flow" as well, but what "energy flow" is has never been made clear and how to achieve "energy flow" is not articulated.

So what has not been made clear and what has not been explained can be considered to be the essential parts of the picture that have been left out. What is "inner" in Classical Tai Chi? and How do I get "energy flow"? might be 2 questions to ask oneself.

The videos at the end of this discussion(click on them) are parts of what we teach in Classical Tai Chi. Looking at them one might see things as being complicated. Further viewing is necessary then one begins to see that there are rules for what we do. Then one begins to see the outline or structure of what we do. Finally one sees that this is indeed based on scientific reasoning. All of these things are stringently linked together even though one may not see that linkage in the beginning.

The definition of "inner" can also be interchanged with the word "internal". The word "Inner" can be linked with "energy flow" and we have "internal energy" View the videos and then begin summarizing to yourself how (much like a puzzle) the pieces fit together to achieve "internal energy flow".

Your use of the word "inner" out of context from "energy flow" suggests that you may believe that Tai Chi is simply about having the correct mental demeanor and that any movement will thus be a correct one. I have heard this many times before and in his book "Uncovering the Treasure" my teacher refers to it as "an unspoken belief among modern Tai Chi practitioners that as long as one has the right mental state, almost any movement is a Tai Chi movement".

What is little known (a missing piece) is that Tai Chi has a physical "inner" or internal discipline which is called in Chinese..."Neigong" (nay gong). The other missing piece is that the physical "internal energy flow" is what is transmitted and generated from the correct use of body mechanics. This is called "neijing" (nay jing) it is the physical "inner or internal energy" created and circulated within the body while the body externally is physically relaxed. Note my persistent use of the word "physical". This gets us away from reliance on "inner" as a strictly mental component necessary to do Tai Chi or what my teacher calls "the emphasis on the ethereal aspects of Tai Chi".

• Tai Chi Square and Round Form
• Internal Discipline
• Internal Discipline in Tai Chi Walking
• Silk Reeling
• Tai Chi Walk

See you in class,

Sifu Jim Roach

Aid to footwork for beginners

 

Click "link to aid on "footwork." It is a video!

Link to aid on "footwork"

"Very good. It really should help beginners on the footwork."  Master Stephen Hwa

An unlisted Youtube link to a video. My student Jason Bulger is doing a variation I "discovered" in my experimentation with lower body movement. Also, "discovered" one needs to do this to 8 angles, N, NE, NW, S, SE, SW, E,W, not just front. That type of practice coincides with Classical Tai Chi Form instruction, wherein the first piece of business is teaching students to step and move in one of the 8 directions.

* Turning feet to various angles coincides with foot placement in the "Form

* Turning feet to various angles coincides with the numerous foot positions in the "kicking section".

*As you get comfortable with this, I recommend just very lightly touching (we had a tree) a surface or wall with just tip of a finger.

*Lightly touching with a finger is not a crutch, but it is enough to help you maintain good body structure while you do this.

*This is Jason's first try, so he is bending his head too much; otherwise, the internal movement seems very good.

*Use abdominal and back muscles to lift

Lift Legs using lower Quarter Body movement

"The leg lifting is accomplished by using abdominal and back muscles to lift either side of the pelvis, which in turn lifts the leg. In this case with Jason, either leg is completely relaxed since the lifting is done by internal power and not the leg muscles. The moving part is the leg and its associated abdominal and back muscles, while the other body parts remain stationary to provide support and grounding. Depending on which leg is lifted, the Yin-yang junction may be visualized in either the right or left side of the abdomen and back region. One could classify this as a lower-quarter body movement. All lower body movements are from the core. This is just one example of it. Practicing with an imaginary mental picture that the legs do not end at the hip joints, but rather there is a leg extension into the core of the body has helped some students learn how to initiate lower body movements from the core."

Paraphrase and excerpted from Page 5., "Internal Discipline of Tai Chi":  Uncovering The Treasure: Classical Tai Chi's Path to Internal Energy & Health Paperback – May 12, 2010

by Stephen Hwa (Author)

 URLhttps://www.amazon.com/Uncovering-Treasure-Classical-Internal-Energy/dp/1449917895/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=uncovering+the+treasure&qid=1593450066&sr=8-1 

"Walking" in Classical Tai Chi

"Walking" video link 

A relatively new student was asked to clarify what they experienced when learning the footwork for Classical Tai Chi. It was done with the caveat of placing a palm on their belly to feel the core movement as they moved.

"I'll try my best if I can clarify that correctly. In forward walking, every footwork is done through 3 phases.  Let's say that we want to step forward with our right foot.

In the first phase, step forward so that the heel of the right foot lands on the ground and the toes point up, but the whole weight is still on the left back foot.

The second phase: The right foot is fully landed on the ground, but the whole weight is still on the back foot.  This phase is critical because here, we begin to feel the engagement of the core area in the movement. 

The third phase:: At this stage, the weight shifts from the left to the right foot, and the body leans forward, provided the right knee does not exceed the toes. "

I asked him if he found the training difficult and liked or disliked it.

"I think it is very interesting, and I like how Master Hwa explains the movements in the online Teachable videos. I like your notes on the Teachable course and the information you provide on the Classical Tai Chi of NY and California Facebook page. One should repeatedly watch the videos because I find there are points I should reconsider."

1. HEALTH AND STRENGTH WITH TAI CHI 1. What is an internal martial art?

 

 Video Link

From Stephen Hwa's book: "Uncovering the Treasure, Classical Tai Chi's Path to Internal Energy and Health" @ Amazon, Streamlined Online course at Teachable and Overview from the DVD series. Thanks to Master Stephen Hwa for his permission to publish this video here. This video is from Master Hwa's streamlined online course. The video link is to an "unlisted" version; only students with the link can see the video. 

 

Introduction "There are so many books, classes, and styles of tai chi today. There is talk of internal energy in many of them. Yet, the definition could be more precise, and the route to achieving it is unexplained. Join me in uncovering the crucial missing pieces to truly understanding Tai Chi, i.e., the internal energy that powers Tai Chi movements and the learning program to develop such energy. How various components in the Tai Chi teaching program, such as Large Frame and Compact Frame Form, Square and Round Form, silk reeling exercises, etc., fit into the learning program are discussed in detail. It will show that Tai Chi's abilityto mobilize the body's energy and deliver it efficiently s one of the prime reasons distinguishing it as a martial art. It is the cultivation of this internal energy that produces the most significant health benefits of Tai Chi."

Internal Exercise for Power and Vitality

  

Video link

Connecting arm to core "advanced"

Explanation of the Movements Section 1: Connecting Arm Movements with the Movement of the Torso (Upper Quarter Body Movements)This choreographically simple movement requires subtle and demanding neuromuscular control. It is the most advanced Internal Move in Tai Chi.

 Articulating basic and essential concepts (such as lowering the shoulder - by dropping the elbow and how to connect the elbow to the abdomen) and making them accessible by demonstration and metaphor ("stick-shift). The instruction is generous and insightful and shows a craft-like path to becoming consciously competent. The student demonstration is quite helpful - as a contrast and teaching. 

 

About 15 years ago, filming Tao of Martial Applications, I asked my teacher Master Stephen Hwa Ph.D. Chemical Engineer “People from large and medium frames want to use internal discipline; why not?” Stephen Hwa: “The mechanics are different” So I wrote this: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐚𝐢 𝐂𝐡𝐢 “𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐦” 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐞! 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐚𝐢 𝐂𝐡𝐢 “𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐦” 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐞. 𝐈𝐭'𝐬 𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐞.”

Key Points In Beginning Part Of Round Form Youtube video

Key Points in Beginning Part of Round Form video link 

Correction of common mistakes of beginners learning Tai Chi Round Form.

 Thanks for this, Master Hwa. The "common mistakes" are indeed endemic.  There is indeed lots of "outward arm movement" in Tai Chi. If one has learned other Tai Chi, It is hard to remove from the "subconscious" when learning "internally". 

 

I gave up the "other" Tai Chi and those mistakes I learned when I began studying with you in 2003. I gave up the Karate, Taekwondo, and Tai Chi I had learned previously when I began studying with the Wu Family in Toronto, mid "the 80's", I was told I had to because I was teaching it. 

 

I know your teacher Young Wabu was told to give them up and gave up the martial arts he had learned previously when he began studying with Wu Chien Chuan.  I think there is an imperative people do not think of and that is what they learned previously is "subconscious".  So when I studied in Toronto, for instance, I had a hard time not kicking like I did with Taekwondo and it created many problems in learning Wu's Style Tai Chi.It really showed up in "free sparring".