Tai chi chuan syllabus | ||
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Japanese martial arts
Japanese martial arts are usually taught in a very methodical,
thorough way. There is a clear syllabus, steps of progress, grades and some
degree of ongoing continuity.
Treated as a product, a cultural treasure, a sport or an educational
endeavour, Japanese martial arts measure up well under scrutiny.
In a Japanese class the student is encouraged to replicate the teachings of
the art perfectly. Like a carbon copy.
Chinese martial arts
Chinese martial arts are not taught like Japanese arts. By comparison there
can often seem to be no discernable syllabus, no continuity and a generally
haphazard approach to teaching the syllabus.
If indeed a syllabus actually exists.
Traditionalist
Traditionally, in China a martial arts instructor was very reluctant to take
on new students. How come? If the student's skills were inadequate it
would directly reflect on the teacher.
On a mild level, this made the teacher look incompetent and affected their
reputation. More seriously, it could mean that the teacher would be put to
death for failing in their responsibility.
Consequently, traditional tuition tended to be harsh and severe. The teacher
hammered the student and adhered strictly to Confucian terseness.
I
do not enlighten those who are not eager to learn, nor arouse those who are not
quick to give an explanation themselves.
If I have presented one corner of the square and they cannot come back to me
with the other three, I should not go over the points again.
(Confucius)
Teaching standards
Historically, there was no call to teach tai chi publicly or to
adhere to a recognised system or standard of teaching. Teachers did whatever
they saw fit.
In recent years a number of tai chi teachers have sought to
introduce a more systematic approach. This is highly commendable but has
certain drawbacks.
We strongly encourage you to read The Sword Polisher's Record
by Adam Hsu for further insights.
A teaching method
Ideally a tai chi class should have a syllabus akin to a Japanese martial
arts school. There are many facets of the
internal martial arts that need to be studied in a disciplined, clear,
uniform manner...
What is commonly being
taught in a tai chi class
According to
The Journal of Asian Martial Arts, most tai chi
classes in the world offer solo form (a sequence of moves), and a bit of
qigong. Not many classes actually do pushing hands.
Some do sword form.
Occasionally, teachers speak of self defence applications. Things like 'san sau' are very, very rare, and rarer still are classes that teach anything
approaching an actual martial art.
Our classes
Sifu Waller combines traditional values with modern teaching. We provide
detailed lessons, a reading list, a website and handouts. But these things
cannot contain the complete art.
The student is still required to join the dots for themselves.
13 areas of study
Tai chi students explore all
13 areas of practice:
Form (whole-body movement)
Brain work (meditation, awareness, metacognition)
Neigong (whole-body strength)
Jing (whole-body power)
Chin na (seizing)
Shuai jiao (take downs)
The 13 areas of study offers a
balanced comprehension of the art.
Learn from Japan?
Too much structure and an art can be become rigid; physically and mentally.
Too little guidance and framework, and the tai chi can fold in on
itself; becoming worthless.
Why do we need grades?
The insurance policy advised instructors to
ensure that students are being taught 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.
Belts
There are 20 belts in the tai chi chuan syllabus:
White 1
White 2
Yellow 1
Yellow 2
Orange
Green
Blue
Purple
Brown 1
Brown 2
Black (1st dan)
Black (2nd dan)
Black (3rd dan)
Black (4th dan)
Black (5th dan)
Black (6th dan)
Black (7th dan)
Black (8th dan)
Red 1/Black (9th dan)
Red 2/Black (10th dan)
Open ended
With tai chi you cannot simply pass a belt and imagine that you have 'got it'. This is
the work of a lifetime. There is no final certificate, no graduation. You
keep on refining and improving.
More...
Page created
18 April 1995
Last updated
22 January 1996