You may
know two hundred different martial arts but what is the quality of your
movements? It's still just movement, it doesn't matter how many forms you
know.
People with wisdom will use a tool properly, but a person with lower
knowledge will recognise only one function of the tool. In the same manner,
internal martial arts can be used for many functions because you use the
same tool. This training method is only one tool, but it has many different
uses.
You need to use one form for practice and include everything in it - mind,
structure, movement and qi. If you can easily do all of these within each
motion, that is the internal martial arts.
(Luo De Xiu)
These are the main topics offered in our syllabus:
There are also many sub-drills and exercises which serve as background/preparatory material.
Progress
We offer students a clear
path of progress through our
syllabus.
They know where they are, what they should be working on and have an idea of
what comes next.
At each stage of the curriculum the student possesses clearly defined skills
that can be proven in
self defence.
Consolidate
Although the syllabus is lengthy and thorough, students make
steady progress each week.
Sophisticated skills slowly become integrated into how you move, how you
respond.
Students are not faced with having to practice a massive amount of material
at home.
Most of the drills consolidate and become part of
freeform.
Knack
Self defence is all about natural responses, comfortable, easy movements and
knack.
It is not about remembering
techniques.
Over the weeks, months and years your body develops an
instinctive sense of what to do.
This knack is essential. Most of
our
material was designed to cultivate the knack of
tai chi.
What is our class teaching?
We do not claim to teach every
possible aspect of tai chi. There are so many
styles and
permutations within each style.
The unique and precious arts of ancient Chinese culture are all but lost in
contemporary China, and only a fraction of their complete depth has been
transmitted to recent generations.
(Yang Jwing-Ming)
Instead of learning
countless forms,
students focus on one main form, a 2 person form/drill
and a number of partner exercises.
We teach
self defence without the
need for conventional
strength or the speed of
youth.
Our material relies upon
internal strength,
gravity and looseness rather than
force.
With a softer, more mobile body, the health benefits are enormous.
Revision and refinement
At the end of each grade the student is required to revise everything
they have studied so far.
This is an important task.
Faults, misconceptions and inaccuracies can be addressed.
New insights and considerations can be introduced.
The advanced syllabus offers the most formidable challenge in terms of revision
and refinement.
It is one thing to possess a basic understanding.
Mastery is another thing entirely.
The gap between a basic grasp and expert
skill is very wide indeed.
Much of the advanced syllabus is spent studying existing material.
70%
Beginners, intermediate and experienced grades learn the foundation/basic
training underpinning the advanced practice.
70% of the curriculum takes place at the advanced-level.
Students are encouraged to work hard at the basic material.
More...
Curriculum 2
Page created 25 January 1999