Although this
site is focused on the health aspects of Tai Chi Chuan, a proper
understanding of the training can only come with tracing the
roots of development of the system to its' martial origin.
In the world of martial arts there are two basic categories or
systems; those arts referred to as “hard style” or “external”
systems, and the “internal” or “soft style” systems.
Tai Chi Chuan is considered an “internal” or “soft” system of
self-defense.
In the hard style systems the practitioner trains, speed, focus,
technique and coordination so that when an incoming force is
encountered this force can be countered or re-directed with an
opposing force. In other words, a force is met with force.
In the soft style of Tai Chi Chuan, a slightly different
approach is taken. When an incoming force is encountered the
practitioner “goes with” the force until it neutralizes itself.
In other words hardness is met with softness.
This soft technique approach makes sense in theory, but if one
considers the urgency and stress involved in a physical
confrontation, the soft-style practitioner is going to have to
be relaxed and focused enough to use sensitivity to overcome
hard strength, or their technique would "go out the window".
Thus they would have to have a strong background in relaxation
and concentration training.
It is this training that Tai Chi Chuan practitioners do to
maintain their calmness and concentration under the stress of
physical confrontation that has become famous in the West as a
method of stress-management. If the system can help one with the
stress of combat surely it can help one with the day-to-day
stresses life provides for us.
In the last 300 years of its’ history Tai Chi Chuan has
developed into three major “styles”. Each major style is
developed and promoted by the families that created them. As a
result, practitioners will usually refer to the Yang, Wu or Chen
style, (the three families names), when describing the form of
Tai Chi Chuan they practice.
The internal theory and training principles of the art are
shared in common by the styles. What differs is the outward
manifestation of the forms as well as differences in martial
applications.
All the styles involve the training of the “Chuan” or hand form,
consisting of a continuous set of “postures” or “forms”. All
forms are based on circular movement. The forms are performed
slowly with each form blending into the next. The “chuan” or
form is what is most characteristic of Tai Chi Chuan in the eyes
of the public, but there also individual breathing and
coordination exercises referred to as “Chi Kung” or “Qigong”.
These are practiced individually to enhance certain essences of
the training. As well there are two person forms of training
known as “pushing hands”, where the parties work together to
advance their training of balance, sensitivity and coordination.
In more advanced training there are traditional weapons forms as
well as martial techniques involving grappling and sparring.
The entire syllabus of Tai Chi Chuan is very extensive. To
properly cover all the elements and refine them to the point of
facility takes between 18 and 20 years of continuous training
under the tutelage of a skilled teacher.
Tai Chi Chuan training follows a three part formula in the
development of the student. First comes health, then meditation,
then martial training. Without good health meditation is
difficult, and without good health and good relaxation and
concentration skills the martial training is out of the
question.
The term meditation is appropriate to the training, but the term
is one easily misunderstood. Tai Chi Chuan is a physical art
form. Meditation in Tai Chi Chuan is task oriented toward the
development of focus and physical relaxation, rather than the
“spiritual” goals of other meditation systems. Not to say that
relaxation and concentration would not benefit a “spiritual”
person, but rather to recognize that this training is seen in
its’ practical application for health and coordination. Tai Chi
Chuan is not a religion.
This basic outline will, we hope, be helpful to understanding
the art. Further detailed information is available through the
links page of this site which will direct you to more complete
information resources.
|
|
