Simplicity in Taijiquan

Below is an excerpt from a post by Ian Cameron, a senior Taijiquan practitioner in the lineage of Cheng Tin Hung. The full post may be read here.

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.