In December I received another revised version of our training from my teacher in Beijing, Master Zhang Yu Fei. Just like last year when I posted the previous changes, I am frothing at the mouth for this new material. Holy #%@* it’s amazing. He has been a busy boy redesigning, restructuring and creating material that is leaps and bounds above the standard, somewhat dogmatic approach to Tai Chi that has developed over the past few hundred years. Below you will find a basic outline of what is expected for training.
So without further ado, here goes:
– Standing Post aka Zhan Zhuang
WuJi Posture
- Natural abdominal breathing and body awareness
- Reverse breathing and internal cultivation
- Movement between specific energy points
SanTiShi Posture (3 body form)
- Natural abdominal breathing and body awareness
- Reverse breathing and internal cultivation
- Movement between specific energy points
In the past I have shyed away from teaching this, because maybe I thought I would discourage students due to its difficulty, but I am bringing it back. I trained it and anyone worth a shit in the practice has trained it and Zhang is adamant that this is the first step of anyone’s training. I am going to start implementing this towards the end of my group classes to help encourage the training.
– 18 Coiling Circles (ChanSi Gong)
These coiling circles are first introduced as warm-ups during the group classes. A series of circular forms that focus on joint rotation and abdominal movement. Over time practitioners come to understand that these are building blocks for all types of Tai Chi movement as well as a basis for how to create internal awareness, be it organs and/or meridians.
– The 18 Form (Standard Tai Chi Set)
- Basic Form Mechanics
- Internal Cultivation and Circulation
- Energy Patterns (Jin)
- Martial Application
– Push Hands
Solo Practice
- Form Mechanics
- Internal Circulation
- Energy Patterns (Jin)
- Martial Application
2 Person Practice
– Theory/Philosophy
- WuJi and TaiJi
- The 3 Internal Harmonies
- The 3 Powers
- The 3 Bows
- YinYang Theory
- The 4 Animal Shapes
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So there you have it. Straight-up and clear cut. This way you, the student, will have a solid sense of where you are at and where it is you are going. Based on the fact that I think belt systems are crap, and I am not into testing or super-manly dojo competitions, this new curriculum is going to solidify the coursework into a more workable framework.
For those that are serious about their practice, I suggest we go through this material together 2x per week. 1 group class and 1 private class. If you have any questions pertaining to this curriculum please feel free to give me a bell.
Thank you.
Paul