IT IS SIMPLE.
When we begin the practice of Tai Chi Chuan we have no idea where it will take us, or what is really required to to make any progress in the art. There are many preconceived ideas, but very little to do with the reality of training.
From my observations over the years, some take up Tai Chi and rather than opening up and letting the Tai Chi be the teacher, they for some reason, perhaps ‘make a name’ for themselves, begin to try and shape Tai Chi by imposing their ideas upon it. If you will only allow it, Tai Chi is an art of endless possibilities, and a wonderful teacher.
When training with Sifu Cheng Tin Hung and his students in Hong Kong you could always see differences in the way each person did their forms, however not once did anyone interfere with their practice. It was simply accepted that we are all different and you were left to get on with your practice. When being taught you were shown each posture a number of times by the seniors who taught for Sifu, they then walked off and left you to practice, returning a little while later to see how you were getting on, and adjust things if necessary. This was the method whether you were learning Hand Form(s), the Sabre, Sword or Spear. Obviously we came together to practice Tui Shou (Pushing Hands) San Shou (Free Hands) Shuai Jiou (Wrestling)…… And, by they way, there were no silk suits to be seen.
The times I spent with Sifu on that roof in Hong Kong were amongst the most enjoyable in my life. Training was enjoyable as you were allowed to absorb the art with nothing else attached, it was just practice. When sparring you got hit, when wrestling, you were thrown, when free pushing, you were pushed, all part and parcel of learning, of soaking it up. Then often after training, especially on Saturday mornings, it was off to the nearest restaurant for Yam Cha (drink tea).
When it came to learning the Internal Strength (Nei Gung) the practice was done strictly indoors (there was a good reason for this). We were taught in Sifu’s house, his front room to be exact, and behind a curtain, hence the name ‘A behind the curtain student.’ I often wondered what went on behind this curtain which was drawn across the room. Now it was my turn to find out.
Having gone through the Bai Shi ceremony, where you pledge to follow your teacher and the twelve rules of Tai Chi, we then got down to the business of learning this important aspect of Tai Chi.
Unlike the forms, these exercises are done in one place and are very specific. There are two sets, twelve Yin and twelve Yang. All you need is a space, your body and the will power to practice. I spent many an evening training the internals with Sifu’s students, having to put old newspapers under our feet to absorb the sweat to stop us sliding about on the tiled floor.
I learned the Yin set while living in Hong Kong, it took me a few more years to learn the Yang set. I was taught this set when I stayed with Sifu in his home for a month. When I say they are specific in the way they are done, it is because each one has a specific purpose. All to develop the will, and a strong healthy body able to withstand the rigours of the martial arts, some also have a martial application. They certainly need no external additions to make them effective, only the practice of them. The clue is in the word, ‘internal.’ As the saying goes “ There’s no need to put legs on a snake.” I have never seen them as some great dark secret, but have always treated them with the greatest respect.
I have striven to pass on to the best of my ability the Tai Chi I consider myself extremely lucky to have had the good fortune to have learned. It has changed over the years (you can never do the same form twice) but I have never deliberately interfered with it. I wanted to see what would come out of the practice and so much has, simply by allowing the practice to take its natural course. Change comes from within, not imposed from without. It takes longer and patience is needed, and that is where the real progress lies, having patience and perseverance. Given that Tai Chi naturally changes over the years, I still think it is important to stay as close to the original as possible. The further away from the source, there is the danger that the art will eventually dissipate, and when someone doesn’t ‘know’ or worse, think they do, and ‘make it up’ dissipation becomes more likely.
Perhaps when imposing ideas upon Tai Chi, they should ponder and maybe realise they are changing Tai Chi (this style) forever, and that their students will carry this teaching on thinking this is the way it should be. There will always be differences between people, that is a given, but be careful that when making changes, you are not changing Tai Chi (this style) for the worse.
The purpose of writing this piece is to try and give a little of the flavour of the way things were when I was learning, and my reasons for remaining close to the way I was taught. Sifu Cheng’s approach to Tai Chi was a very practical no nonsense one. This system of Tai Chi is a strong one with five integrated aspects, which is enough for anyones lifetime. The main reason for staying true to Sifu’s methods is to try and maintain a certain continuity and clarity of the Tai Chi passed on to me.
When I first arrived up at Sifu’s gym his senior instructor George Liew said to me, “Tai Chi is simple.’ It is simple, but not easy. That is the genius of Tai Chi, in its essence it is simple, perhaps so simple it is easy to miss the point. All it needs is practice. It’s that simple.