Appearance of Reality is sometimes an illusion

 AFTER FINISHING THE LESSONS, A BEGINNING 

 by Jim Roach

Review Upper Body as a "Beginning" Video Link

Jim Roach said:  I include the video link and the Forum information as an example of "...reality illusions..."!  With Tom Kostusiak, I arranged the 2011 workshop, where you can see this video and many others that were shot. Watching another video of students doing "push hands" is a perfect example of "reality illusions." People's lower bodies and hips were all over the place, and there was no apparent intent to stabilize hips and turn the upper body. Master Hwa's suggestions are "spot on"!

by Master Stephen Hwa, excerpted from Classical Tai Chi Forum 10

"Several of you have indicated that you were either finished or nearly finished with the lessons. You have made a very good beginning. Now, you can start to take the long and rewarding part of the journey in which you will gradually improve every aspect of your form playing and enjoy the fruits of tai chi. Remember that “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 why I incorporated different views in my video, so you could see my moves from different angles and lessen the chance of a wrong impression. 

 

Using a fresh eye to review the lesson video could also uncover any misinterpretation of my movements. The other thing to remember is that “you perceive that you are moving a certain way, but in fact, you are not moving that way.” I met one student who had finished the lessons from the video. One problem I observed was that when he tried to internalize his movement away from the arm and shoulder, his movements initiated from the chest area. He would scrunch his chest to start an upper body movement. When one of the students in my class makes the turning movement, she does stabilize the pelvic area, but the turning movement is initiated from the upper abdomen area. 

 

In both cases, the concentration on the internal position is too high. It has to be in the navel and below. When done right, you will feel the tight connection to the lower body through the buttocks. My 12-year-old student in the class commented succinctly: “One thinks that he is not doing external, so it must be internal.” It is not an either-or situation. There is an intermediate region, which is neither external nor very internal. 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 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 reviews often showed missing details, which they had done correctly years past. Learning the square form will help build a firm framework of the form."

Insight or Fight

 

https://youtu.be/mZSbG5jkn6w Video

Tai Chi with Momentum vs. Classical Tai Chi with Internal Discipline

" Master Hwa, I have become impatient with the slowness of the learning curve regarding Classical Tai Chi for this reason alone: the forms playing do not seem to be leading to martial application, and there do not seem to be any partners out this way who know Classical Tai that I can practice.

I am enrolling in a Wing Chun class through a park district near my home. However, the Sifu was able to tag me in the face.”

There is more potential reasoning why people might quit Classical Tai Chi with internal discipline for Tai Chi that uses momentum to fight. It is not entirely due to “impatience and/or partners.” 

Students feel a lack of immediate gratification: Classical Tai Chi with internal discipline focuses on developing internal energy and subtle movements, which may not provide the same sense of immediate physical accomplishment or excitement as Tai Chi or other martial arts that use momentum to fight. Practitioners seeking a more dynamic and physically demanding practice might find Classical Tai Chi too slow-paced or subtle.

Incompatibility with martial arts goals: Tai Chi, or martial arts that use momentum to fight, is often geared towards developing combat skills and physical power. Classical Tai Chi with internal discipline, on the other hand, emphasizes internal energy development, relaxation, and subtle movement. Practitioners seeking a more martially oriented practice might find Classical Tai Chi too focused on internal growth and not enough on external physical technique.

Difficulty transitioning from external to internal movement: Classical Tai Chi with internal discipline requires a deep understanding of internal movement and energy transmission. Practitioners accustomed to using momentum and external force might struggle to transition to internal movement, finding it difficult to relax and generate power from their core.

Perception of lack of “fighting” effectiveness: Tai Chi, or a martial art that uses momentum to fight, is often designed to be more physically confrontational and aggressive. Practitioners prioritizing effectiveness in a physical confrontation might perceive classical Tai Chi with internal discipline as too gentle or ineffective in a real-world fighting scenario.

Inadequate instruction or guidance: Practitioners who switch from classical Tai Chi with internal discipline to Tai Chi or an external martial art that uses momentum to fight might do so because they also feel they lack proper instruction or guidance in internal movement and energy transmission. With “ the shoe on the other foot,” students also look for quick results. They might struggle to integrate internal movement into their practice without understanding internal discipline.

Misconceptions about classical Tai Chi: Some practitioners might quit Classical Tai Chi with internal discipline due to misconceptions about its effectiveness or relevance. They might believe that Classical Tai Chi is only for relaxation or health benefits rather than recognizing its potential as a martial art that develops internal power and energy.

Personal goals and preferences: Ultimately, individuals may switch from Classical Tai Chi with internal discipline to Tai Chi, or a martial art which uses momentum to fight due to personal preferences or goals. Some might prefer a more physically demanding or aggressive practice, while others might appreciate the subtlety and internal focus of Classical Tai Chi.

It’s essential to note that each individual’s experience and motivations are unique, and there may be other reasons why people quit Classical Tai Chi with internal discipline for Tai Chi or a martial art that uses momentum to fight.

Not because it’s easy, but because you thought it is easy!

But, you thought it was easy! Video Link

The young man asked, “Where are the people for this class”? I said, “They don’t want to do the work”! I love that non-escalating comment from my teacher, Master Stephen Hwa! 

“Why does Tai Chi have to be so hard”? The young woman said that in a class at Buffalo State University. My tongue-in-cheek thought was, “Would it be more straightforward if new students could leave their brains at the door to the Tai Chi studio”?  One thinks the intellect gets in the way and hinders learning Tai Chi. 

Students seek a way to attach their intellect and logical brain to each new movement rather than learning through the body. As a teacher, I think the brain gets confused as it cannot find a way to attach an experience or association of the movements to memory, so their minds fight them all the way to try and intellectualize what is being learned.  

Perhaps it might sound aloud like this: "I must find something to relate this to..... there is no way I am going into that body down there; I am the brains here..... oh, I haven't a clue; it's too difficult, so I'll give up".  

As beginners, students are usually stuck in their heads, and it's hard to change how we do things unless it fits the same groove we are used to.  In a sense there is a logic and rationale to not shut off but “turn down the volume” on beginner's critical thinking which is the left brain.

Whether they realize it, beginners pay the most attention to their hand movements, and as a teacher, I see it is evident. Watching their movement, I also see their heads turn so the hands can be seen. This is a DISCONNECT from their body. Faithful Classical Tai Chi must come from the core. Their eyes follow their hand postures, and they become disconnected from the body. Accurate Classical Tai Chi movements must instead come from the core, which drives the moves of the limbs. 

Classical Tai Chi is a complex movement practice. There is no route to quick learning and no shortcuts to take.  It's impossible to learn through intellectualizing the moves; you need to move the body repeatedly. There is no perfection to aim for; ask Master Stephen Hwa, who has been practicing for 50 years and says “…I am still learning…”.   

 

The young man asked:

 “Where are the people for this class”? 

I said: “They don’t want to do the work”!

There are many layers to unfold and practice; this all takes diligence, time, and patience. There is no rush. Your Tai Chi should be an enjoyable, rejuvenating, and meditative experience.  The journey is endless; we don't worry about reaching the mountain summit as the journey is much more fun.

 

An Engineer is an ideal teacher of Classical Tai Chi

The science of Yin and Yang 

 

Interestingly, a 3-year tai chi student of another Tai Chi Style (Yang slow style) with a background in research gave such relevant commentary on Master Stephen Hwa in an Amazon book review. He was speaking about the book "Uncovering the Treasure" that Master Hwa wrote. By relevant, I mean he said, "...It reflects the author's engineering background...";

"... the book's solid conceptual framework should help clear some of the fog that seems to arise around tai chi chuan occasionally..."; "... Thank you, Dr. Hwa, for a scholarly and practical guide...".

 

 

He has never discussed it with me, but as an engineer, I am sure his analytical and problem-solving skills apply to Tai Chi. I know as a student I have been on numerous "buggy rides" of so called tai chi over many years.  I really appreciate his scientific approach. On the other hand, he noted in the book that he also liked the "...scientific approach..." that his teacher, Grandmaster Young Wabu, had. "...I was attracted to Young's teaching not only for its impact on my body's well-being but also for the logical, rational, and scientific approach...".

 

The book "Uncovering the Treasure" p. III,Introduction: 

"At first glance, it is very complex. Still, gradually, it becomes simpler because every element in it, no matter how minor, follows specific rules, forming a logical structure with calculated, scientific reasoning behind it. Every element is optimized toward two objectives: martial arts applications and health benefits. As a result, every aspect is tightly coupled with other components, even though they may appear unrelated."

 

• Related to the above paragraph, Master Hwa has taken a systematic approach to learning and teaching: Engineers are accustomed to breaking down complex systems into manageable components and understanding how they interact. Classical Tai Chi's emphasis on precise movement, structural integrity, and internal discipline can be seen as a system of interconnected elements, where each part influences the others. By applying an engineer's analytical mindset, one can better understand and optimize the relationships between these components.
  
• Mechanics and Kinematics: Engineers are trained to analyze the mechanics and kinematics of physical systems. Classical Tai Chi's slow, controlled movements of both "Round and Square Forms", can be viewed as a study in applied mechanics. This is where the practitioner manipulates the body's core with internal discipline of movement to achieve balance, coordination, and fluid motion.
• Whether they realize it, beginners pay the most attention to their hand movements, and to this teacher, it is evident. Watching their movement, I also see their heads turn so the hands can be seen. This is a DISCONNECT from their body. Faithful Classical Tai Chi must come from the core. Their eyes follow their hand postures, and they become disconnected from the body. Accurate Classical Tai Chi movements must instead come from the core, which drives the moves of the limbs.

Its a Tip to be Square

Video of Calligraphy and Tai Chi

Master Hwa spoke at this New Year celebration and coined the analogy of calligraphy and Classical Tai Chi. 

 Of the numerous Tai Chi styles, there is only one that has a "round" form and a truly "square" (”fang”) form. With all its derivatives, the Classical Tai Chi Wu Style often surprises people with the opposite requirement between Square and Round. 

This is not unique, however:

“As has been said, think about how one learns the art of calligraphy.”

My experience with learning inkbrush Chinese calligraphy taught me how to write in print form (brush and ink, of course). Then, one learns the cursive form. These two writing forms are analogous to the differences between the two Tai Chi Forms.

Square Form is analogous to the block printing of (pinyin) Kai Style or "Kai Shu." The round form is analogous to the Tsao Style, "Tsao Shu/Cao Shu," or the cursive script.

In Square form, as in calligraphy, movements occur in relatively straight lines between points (start and end points of inflection). 

The Round form, with its curves, has curves going through those points. The Square is like a template for the round.

Master Hwa and I discussed this, and he said: “Jim, like the Calculus of mathematics, however, I would like to point out that the round form is like calculus, which integrates a tiny segment of a curved motion as a straight line to form the curved motion. Square form is like taking one of the essential tiny straight lines and expanding it into a linear movement. I guess the way of the universe is based on similar principles for everything, which appears to be unrelated.”

In Jou Tsung Hwa's book Tao of Tai Chi, I think he states that movement is like individual frames in a movie. Taken separately or even in two or three, it makes no sense, and one sees no motion. We only imagine motion when one puts all the frames together.

Regarding square form and perhaps to the critics: Although the principal purpose is to teach students to delineate yin and yang, there are many, many individual "points," "stops," "pauses," etc. As it was said, "changes of direction occur at those points." the more "points" are present in something such as a square form, the more capacity there is for those points to join and produce a round form. It would seem then that, much like the individual frames in a film, many make a fine product that gives us the illusion of motion.

If I only have 2 or 3 points, it would be hard to see the round if I join them with straight lines. If I put 10 points in that same situation and join them, one sees the round very clearly. As in the eight consecutive lines joining and changing direction in the I Ching diagram, one can draw the circle around those 8 points. It would also seem that lines joining like this form angles at the joints. Ideally, an excellent place to mount an attack would be at an angle or "tangent."

The points where one changes direction are called "Dingdian" or fixed inflection points. Those starting and ending points define the curved movement in the round form. Of course, nothing begins or ends in Tai Chi, like ocean waves and breathing; each has its peak and trough…sine waves come to mind. This considers the concept of "reversal, " a mainstay in the I Ching.

When learning calligraphy, I appreciated the stop-and-go of the strokes in Kai Shu. It allowed me to reflect on my stroke and prepare for the next movement. The square form of Tai Chi enables us to gather energy, align the joints, and strengthen the "points." I can prepare for the next move by gathering energy for the coming action. This is why the moves in the Square are resolute and appear abrupt.

Based on this, I would say that Tai Chi is not only very analogous to calligraphy but also very scientific. In light of Calculus, one can appreciate mathematics.

Thanks

James Roach

Teachers are professional

 

Misconceptions of students about Tai Chi as a Martial Art and Teacher’s Role

“You work for us, so why do what you say, like do this or don't do that”? 

“You can help new students; why should I?”

“I already know how to walk, so why Tai Chi Walk”? What would you do if I grabbed your arm like this”? “I already know this; you’re just repeating what I’ve read in books,”!

“I’ve seen better demonstrations online; why are you teaching it this way?” 

“I want your teacher to meet my teacher so we can get better Tai Chi”! “Don't you do warmups at least?”  “This is too slow,”,  “You’re not explaining it enough.” , “I have Youtube”! “My Wing Chun teacher said you don't hold your fist like that”! “Why would you teach someone for free”? “I teach Pilates, and we don't do things like that”! 

I would have almost preferred if the students who said these had intended it to be disrespectful. As prelude to seeing me in class and unsolicited, one of my teachers said, “…if people give you shit, knock them down…”! I have heard many more comments so I really would have considerable “knock them down” to do. Then there were the ones who attacked without warning, and the “knock them down” became a reality. Had they asked it as a question—“Don’t you work for us?” etc? I could at least explain the following, with you dear reader “reading between the lines”!

Imagine robbing a bank and telling police officers it is their job to prevent you from committing the crime in the first place. Imagine burning your own house to the ground and then telling a firefighter it’s their job to keep your home from becoming rubble and ash. Imagine you are involved in an accident, and when a paramedic comes to save your life, you tell them it was their job to prevent your injuries. It’s unthinkable. It is not done. 

Tai Chi teachers are martial arts teachers, or public servants?

Some students may not fully understand or respect Tai Chi as a martial art, viewing it as a mere exercise or relaxation technique. This misconception may be fueled by the art’s emphasis on slow movements, which can be misinterpreted as lacking martial efficacy.

Additionally, some students may not recognize the teacher’s role as a Sifu, Master, or instructor and instead perceive them as a public servant or someone providing a service. This lack of respect for the teacher’s expertise and authority can harm the learning process and lead to misunderstandings about the art.

Things Students Say to Disrespect Tai Chi Teachers

We have outlined specific examples of things students say to disrespect Tai Chi teachers. We can easily infer some possible comments based on disrespectful behavior toward teachers. Here are a few examples:

• Talking over the teacher while they are instructing
• Making sarcastic comments or jokes during class
• Refusing to follow instructions or ignoring the teacher’s corrections
• Making fun of the teacher’s accent or pronunciation 
• Disregarding traditional Tai Chi etiquette
• Questioning the teacher’s authority or expertise in Tai Chi
• Making comments that undermine the teacher’s instructions or methods
• Using a condescending tone or language when speaking to the teacher

It’s essential to note that disrespect can take many forms; these examples are not exhaustive. Like any other educators, Tai Chi teachers deserve respect and professionalism from their students.