In The Balance Tai Chi
In The Balance (ITB) aims to provide the skills and knowledge to facilitate self-learning and life-long solo practice of tai chi. As in most tai chi group practice, participants learn the sequence of movements in one or more Yang style tai chi forms. However, rather than seeking perfection of details within a given choreography, ITB's "agile" instruction (outlined below) focuses on an individual participant’s understanding of elements that are common to most forms. In accordance with the Tai Chi Classics, ITB emphasizes vertical posture, natural range of motion, and active relaxation as the major goals. These tools provide a structure upon which individuals can train (and experiment!) outside the class setting and without a teacher present. The result is a true student who is able to chart his or her own course through the world of tai chi and ultimately discover the kind of form and discipline that is right for them.
[NOTE: for simplicity and to adopt conventional usage, I will use the term “tai chi” (a concept in Chinese philosophy) as an abbreviation for “tai chi ch’uan” (a martial arts-based exercise system) except when the distinction is required. For a longer discussion of terminology etymology, and pronunciation, including the distinctions between tai chi, taiji, and qi/chi energy, please click here.]
Tai chi originated in the early-mid 1800s as a Chinese martial art that focused on the delicate balance between opposing forces (dualism). Today, the vast majority of people who practice tai chi seek to refine and use that delicate balance to:
1) Improve skill in any activity (including martial arts) that emphasizes fluid body movement and flexibility.
2) Improve health (primarily arthritic, neuromuscular, and cardiovascular).
3) Gain spiritual benefits through “meditation in motion.”
The cornerstone of the concept of dualism described above, whereby existence is divided between opposite or contrary forces, is the Taiji symbol (Taijitu), commonly known in the West as the "Yin-Yang" diagram.
Yin and yang represent the two sides of phenomena in the natural world: dark and light, cold and warm, weak and strong, contraction and expansion. However, the wonder of tai chi ch’uan lies in the balance between these forces. Regardless of whether we want to walk into a strong wind, negotiate the terms of a tricky agreement, or defend ourselves against a Samurai swordsman, success will depend on the appreciation of the complementary connections between apparent opposites. In conflict, we must look for harmony. Give and take will lead you somewhere. Fighting fire with fire will not.
A man is born gentle and weak.
At his death he is hard and stiff.
Green plants are tender and filled with sap.
At their death they are withered and dry.
Stiff and unbending is the principle of death.
Gentle and yielding is the principle of life.
Thus an Army without flexibility never wins a battle.
A tree that is unbending is easily broken.
The hard and strong will fall.
The soft and weak will overcome.
-- Tao Te Ching (76)
InTheBalance Instruction
An agile approach to teaching is one that appreciates individual differences, anticipates change, and encourages flexibility. The result is a course of study that is iterative and incremental, that welcomes unpredictability, and that achieves a desired outcome efficiently. However, when applied to the study of tai chi, this approach requires motivated individuals who are willing to meet or communicate regularly. And…agile instruction may not be feasible in the large group setting that is common in many tai chi classes in the U.S. today. Still, while ITB may be best for individuals and small groups, the typical meeting has a format and flavor that will likely be familiar to those who have previous large class experience.
Each session begins with exercises that are based on qigong and sequences from a variety of tai chi forms. While some of these are simple and serve as preparatory warm-up, others are more complex and may require repeated practice to master. In all cases, the focus is on establishing a strong “root” with the floor or ground, "empty foot" stepping, keeping a vertical spine, and allowing the waist (dan tien, 丹田) to direct movement.
Considerable attention is given to the “Thirteen Postures” (shisanshi). These five basic directional steps and eight martial arts-derived energies of the arms and hands (“Eight Gates”) underlie all the elements found in tai chi forms. According to Taoist theory, the Eight Gates correspond to higher order differentiation of yin and yang.
Four Yang style choreographies are studied: Beijing “Simplified” 24 posture form, traditional 108 posture form, Yangjia Michuan long form Parts I and II, and Hubert H. Lui’s variant of the Yangjia Michuan. Slowness of movement is emphasized. However, slowness is not viewed as a goal in and of itself. Rather, it is a technique for developing good fundamental skills by encouraging relaxation and permitting close examination of each movement. Practicing a form slowly ensures the refinement of muscle memory that enables solo practice. More importantly, eliminating thoughts of “What comes next ???” at many decision points can facilitate smoothness of movement and encourage further refinement. Ultimately, students will set their own goals and develop a form or style that is their own.