3 Levels

Teaching & learning

In order to learn taijiquan it is necessary to have a syllabus in place.
This will enable the instructor to incrementally teach relevant knowledge, understanding, skill, adherence to The Tai Chi Classics, martial principles, combat skill and the tenets of Taoism in a consistent, comprehensive, fully differentiated manner.

3 levels

Authentic taijiquan practice takes place at 1 of 3 levels:

Most exponents are at level 1. They are learning the multitude of exercises, drills and principles that underpin the taijiquan training.

Teachers can only teach you to the level that the strength of your basics will allow them to. They can't do anything more, it's impossible.

(Bruce Frantzis)

Level 1 - Foundation skills

What are foundation skills? In a taijiquan class this means learning:

How to connect the limbs to the torso
How to yield
How to create space
How to be flexible
How to work without tensing-up
How to be composed
How to move your whole body
How to be loose and heavy
How to go with the flow
How to respond without thinking

These skills are accomplished by exploring qigong exercises, Long Yang form (stage 1) (regular & mirrored), pushing hands, stretching exercises, various partnered sensitivity exercises, taijiquan principles and contemplative Taoism, introductory weapons practice, martial concepts, martial sets (pattern) and floor work (ground fighting).

What you start with...

Most new starters do not realise that their body and mind are not aligned with their ambitions. People are often distracted, uncoordinated and lack any real commitment to learning.
The main aim at this level of skill is to shed old habits and increase strength, flexibility, relaxation, balance, stamina, coordination, concentration and acquire alternative ways of using the body.
Taijiquan is not like the external martial arts. The skills cannot be employed using tensed muscles, blocking, aggression or force.

Lay a strong foundation

Taijiquan is not like karate. You cannot use what you brought to class with you. It is necessary to get rid of 'external' ways of the using the body and develop new skills. This takes time, patience, practice.
Until you have learned the basic movements of taijiquan (form), physical abilities and martial concepts, what do you expect to use in combat?
It is necessary to lay a strong foundation. To have skills you can use in fighting. A way of seeing things. A certain attitude/perspective. Courage and grit.

Basic martial arts skills

Level 1 assumes no prior martial arts knowledge or experience. It teaches basic martial arts skills, with an emphasis upon taijiquan. Fitness, coordination, flexibility and stamina are cultivated.
The training is fairly external; limited by the capabilities of the individual.

3 grades, 9 parts

Level 1 practice is one of those situations where it seems like there is a lot of material when first approaching it. But in hindsight, not so much.
The level is broken down into 3 grades: beginner, intermediate and experienced. Each of these levels has 3 parts.

In hindsight, intermediate (part 1) was a hurdle of my own making.

(Dr David Cousins)

Why do we need levels, grades and parts?

Martial arts typically follow a syllabus. In fact, most martial arts have belts or sashes. This is no different to being in mainstream education. You don't start off reading Shakespeare in Primary School.
The Tai Chi Union for Great Britain insurance policy advised instructors to ensure that students are being shown things appropriate to ability. This means that a syllabus is necessary.
There must be an order to the presentation of the material. Grades are required.

Level 2 - Taijiquan fighting method

Taijiquan was designed to be a martial art. There's no two ways about it. The art was not designed as a health exercise or for the cultivation of qi.
Health, fitness and wellbeing are simply positive side-effects of a well-designed fighting system that draws on thousands of years of ancient knowledge and insight.

Taijiquan is a martial art

Taijiquan is essentially an 'advanced' fighting method. It is a Chinese martial art and it does involve hard work, time and skill. For many years it was used in combat by the Chinese military.
What differs from most martial arts styles is the Taoist component and the somewhat complex 'internal' aspects of the art. As fighting styles go, taijiquan is a very hard method to learn.
The taijiquan training itself isn't gruelling or punishing. But it does require persistence, tenacity, commitment and conviction.

What is studied at level 2?

The training includes:

• 2-person cane drill (regular & mirrored)
• 3-tier wallbag
• 13 postures
• Balance, rhythm, timing
• Chin na applications
• Cold jing
• Countering a knife
• Countering punches, kicks & grapples
• Da lu
• Dividing the muscle
• Double pushing hands
• Dying ground
• Fa jing
• Freeform grappling
• Freeform triangle
• Hidden power (an jing)
• Holding down the pillow
• Improvised weaponry/knife
• Jian form (regular & mirrored)
• Jing
• Long Yang form (stages 1-7)
• Long Yang form applications (7 per movement)
• Melee
• Neigong
• Obvious power (ming jing)
• Projections
• Reeling silk
• Sabre form (regular & mirrored)
• San da stage 1: freeform application
• San da stage 2: freeform combat
• Shih (martial advantage)
• Shuai jiao applications
• Striking and being hit
• Walking stick form (regular & mirrored)

Are you a martial artist?

Many people who commence taijiquan practice are essentially 'daydreamers'; they have fanciful notions of becoming a martial artist but entirely lack the grit and determination required to accomplish the task.
Instead of committing to a challenging regime of on-going comprehensive, rigorous training, the student is contented with the dream.

The essence of the art

There are certain things that every taijiquan student should know. This knowledge and ability will enable the student to follow the teachings outlined in The Tai Chi Classics.
Strict adhesion to the Classics assures correct practice of tai chi, regardless of what style you practice. Every tai chi student in the world should be working towards acquiring these abilities and knowledge.
It does not matter how many forms, drills or applications you know. Or who your teacher is. Your skill in taijiquan comes down to the essence of the art and how well you can express it.

3 grades, 9 parts

Level 2 is broken down into 3 grades: competent, skilled and advanced. Each of these levels has 3 parts.

Level 3 - A lifelong path

Realistically it will take the diligent student decades to become an expert. This gives a sense of perspective. Stop thinking so small and short-term.
Taoists aimed for extreme long life and great fitness. Why not do the same? The very challenge itself might be what keeps you alive...

2 grades, 2 parts

Level 3 is broken down into 2 grades: expert and master.

The road less travelled

The world of taijiquan (the martial art) is largely inaccessible to outsiders.
It may be easy enough to attend a few classes, but the real skills and practices are reserved for those few who are willing to endure a long, hard journey.
Not many people ever become skilled and hardly anyone is an expert or a master. Great sacrifice is necessary.

Expertise

There is more to expertise than hours spent training. It is also about quality. This is why the syllabus has a limited number of forms, drills and exercises to learn.
Not only do you have to learn the patterns and the applications, you must also dismantle everything and gain a deeper understanding.
Adding neigong to every factor of your practice will keep even the most serious practitioner occupied for the rest of their life.

Mastery

Maestros and so-called geniuses are people who have given themselves over to their art. They have set aside their arrogance and their ego.
By embracing the teachings of their art, they have transcended mediocrity and truly gained skill. Instead of forcing a result, or willing a conclusion, the person has sublimated their sense of 'self'.
The individual has become one with the art. You cannot gain real skill by trying to control the art. You must surrender to it. You must let go.
In a very real sense, you do not master the art. It masters you.

Extraordinary life

An advanced martial artist gains uncanny skills on the difficult path they have chosen. Their resolve will be tested again and again. There will many setbacks, pitfalls and doubts.
But the rare seeker who embraces the art whole-heartedly will live quite an extraordinary life.

The seeker wants another level of mind
and strives for it without distraction
like a grandmother shopping at market.

(Loy Ching-Yuen)