Tai Chi Finder

A common problem, particularly amongst the Chinese martial arts, is the idea of ‘perfecting’ your practice of a form. Sometimes we focus so much on making our form ‘look’ perfect, we lose sight of the point that the techniques we are trying to ‘showcase’ are for fighting – which is a naturally untidy affair. This situation is often compounded by the ever increasing amounts of form/kata/poomsae competitions.

So, what to do?

I remember my first Taiji teacher would guide his class though repetitions of the Yang style empty hand form, making corrections for each student; more extension here, wider stance there – until we were a single body moving in unison.

Once we had learnt a section of the form, we would then look back at the techniques covered, and practice our ‘fighting techniques’ with each other.

Of course, our applications were sloppy compared to our practice during the form – partly due to the fact we were all ‘new’ to these techniques, and partly down to the fight that, when engaging with another person; either in practice or reality, you are entering into an imperfect situation.

Our teach would say; “In Single Whip, the right hand extends outward with the hook hand, then turn the body back to the left, whilst our left hand sweeps around, we step forward with the left foot and strike with the right hand.”

Even trying to read this back, it seems complicated! So of course, we try to apply Single Whip as teacher has said – our partner punches, we connect and lead his right punch off to our right with our right hand, I get ready to swoop by left hand as I turn back to the left to deliver my kungfu death blow and…. Bugger! My partner is to close to me! I can’t make Single Whip work! Ok, ok, it’s just because I’m a beginner, let’s try again…

And so on, and so on…

As students of the martial arts, sometimes we allow ourselves to put our teachers on a pedestal. Images of Mr. Miyagi getting Daniel-san to wash cars, sand floors and paint fences etc. come into our minds, and we decide that, although we can’t see the benefit now, teacher must know what he is doing!

Unfortunately, this is not always the case.

When I met my third Taiji teacher, he had a radically different approach to any Taiji that I had experienced thus far.

“Form is the LAST thing you learn!” He would proclaim.