Unless the concept of change is introduced, the method of learning actually
becomes the goal itself. Ballet, kung fu and many other physical activities
require the endless repetition of postures to achieve perfect uniformity.
This approach is excellent, but it neglects the possibility that the student
may grow to a greater level of excellence than the teacher. Moreover, this
method ignores physical differences, intents and desires. In other words, it
changes something living and dynamic into something static and dead.
(Jou
Tsung Hwa)
Copying the teacher
It is advisable to learn as much as you can from your
teacher, rather
than simply copy what their tai chi practice looks like.
Given the internal nature of
tai chi, it can be
a folly to simply copy.
You may find yourself copying what you think the
teacher is doing, rather than what they are
really doing.
Tai chi cannot be learned through observation alone - the more advanced the
practice, the less there will be to see.
You must learn the substance instead.
Individual
Every tai chi teacher makes
changes to their practice.
If this were not true, why are there so many variations on the same posture,
so many forms, and so many different styles and schools?
You must take into account the values and preferences of the teacher, and
their background.
What they are teaching and why will vary according to the
individual, and will drastically affect how and what they plan you
teach you.
Core principles
No matter what the style,
tai chi practice must always contain the
tai chi
principles.
These must be present in every aspect of
the
syllabus and
should not vary according to the individual,
regardless of any changes they have made.
Without the core principles, the tai chi ceases to be tai chi.
For this reason alone, the individual should not consciously change their
tai chi until they are advanced enough to understand what they are doing and
why.
It may take decades to develop the necessary insight, knowledge and
imagination to do this successfully.
Any changes made should be very small and have a specific intent in mind, and still maintain the
essence of the
posture.
An example change: a student lacks the suppleness to open the hips fully, so
they are permitted to adjust the angle of the foot slightly.
Individual expression
Until a student is advanced enough to have a deeper understanding of their
tai chi, they should follow the guidance of their teacher.
There is plenty of scope for the individual to express themselves: neigong
enables you to emphasise one quality or another, and
application must
always reflect the individual.
Every practitioner must perform the tai chi within the framework and
constraints of what constitutes tai chi, otherwise it becomes something else
entirely.
Values
The
values of each teacher are an important
consideration.
Every teacher brings something unique to their training and the practice
will illustrate this.
Your teacher may be an expert in stretching, or a Shaolin/wushu person who
is comfortable with the horse stance - and may expect you to perform the
same exercises they have practiced since childhood.
Is this realistic for you?
They may have a background in other martial arts and approach tai chi from
that standpoint.
Their level of understanding and perception will also affect what they
practice and teach.
It is important not to simply gauge the teacher according to their age,
lineage or experience.
There is usually far more to it than that.
Page created 3 July 2004