Tai Chi Productions Guide Blog

There are quite a lot of Tai Chi Chuan forms in China ever since it came ito being from early century. Each form has its own complicated routines, some are long and some are short with different movements. Due to different conditions, situations and interests of each individuals, it is difficult to decide which Tai Chi Chuan form to begin with

Generally speaking, the basic contents in Tai Chi exercising include basic skills, basic movements and basic routines. Which to start with, basic foundations or basic routines? It should be up to one’s own decision because everyone has his own personal situations and interests as well as different circumstance and study atmosphere. But whatsoever, the best way to learn is to begin with basic skills alternating with basic routines. Supported and promoted by each other, it will be better to master and improve the techniques of Tai Chi Chuan quickly.

It is commonly accepted that beginners should start with a simplified Tai Chi Chuan form which features fewer routine contents and simple movements. Traditional school of Tai Chi Chuan is always difficult to master or even if you have learned the routines you still know little about its characteristics and technical style. The 42 Form Tai Chi Chuan, which has been lasted for more then decades, is just the one specially designed and arranged for beginners. It takes about 5-6 minutes to practice and it is very appropriate for beginner to learn. If accompanied with music, you will feel relaxed and happy while practicing.

With the speeding of life tempo, the more easier way of exercising is more likely to become popular.

At present, the competition routine of 42 Form Tai Chi Sword is the only weaponry competition Form to go along with the competition routine of 42 Form Tai Chi Chuan. In some competition the scores for both 42 Form Tai Chi Chuan and Tai Chi Sword are accumulated and the winner will be given all-round award. This competition routine of Tai Chi Sword was designed based on the traditional movements of Yang, Woo and Chen style Tai Chi Sword with more emphasis on Yang style. This competition Form shares the similar traits with the competition routine of 42 Form Tai Chi Chuan and the technical characteristics are as the followings: The posture is elegant with the force penetrated onto the sword and the movements are agile and steady with the well balanced softness and hardness.

The most common difficulty the learners face when practicing this routine is the coordination of the body movements and the ambiguity of the sword movements.

Methods to overcome the obstacles: a) Master the movements of Tai Chi Chuan before learning the movements of Tai Chi Sword. You have to master the basics before advancing to the higher levels. Tai Chi Chuan is the basics for Tai Chi Sword because the body movements, stances and footwork used in Tai Chi Sword are identical to Tai Chi Chuan. You can understand the important techniques of Tai Chi Sword by practicing Tai Chi Chuan and apply them to the swordplay. b) Learn the routine systematically and focus on the accuracy in movements. For the beginners, it is crucial to perform every movement precisely according to the key points. The beginners should avoid learning too many movements at a time without fully understanding the important points of each in case to form the formation of the wrong movements and the bad habits which will be very difficult to correct later. c) Master the movements before practicing your mind and then combine the movements and your mind into one. Tai Chi Sword is the swordplay guided by your mind and the “Qi”. However, when you begin to practice the sword, you should first pay attention to the external movements(mainly the regulations of the sword) such as the differences between striking sword and pointing sword and the route of the waving sword etc. The correct external movement is the precondition in using your mind whereas, of course, the form and mind are not completely separated. This is only the different stages of practicing the sword. If the mind is used correctly, it can increase the accuracy of the movements. What we want to achieve at last is to use your mind to guide your sword and to combine both the sword and the mind into one to reaching the high level of unifying the form, mind, spirit and sword into one.

The competition routine of Wu style Tai Chi Chuan has the significant characteristics mainly portrayed in its body posture “upright when slanting”. It emphasizes the bow stance while having the weight leaning forward such as “brush knee and twist step”, “step back and whirl arms”, “step forward to grasp the peacock’s tail” and “fly obliquely” etc. For the posture, it seems that the body is leaning forward while actually, from the head to the heel through the buttocks, the 3 points form a straight line slanting towards the ground which is known as the “upright when slanting”.

In footwork, it focuses on stance of the Chinese character “CHUAN”. Both feet are paralleled with the tips and the heels facing the same direction. The footwork in bow stance requires the knee of the front leg in alignment with the toes. Both feet in bow stance is alike steeping on the edges of the Chinese character “Chuan”. The requirement for the footwork in empty stance is also on the character “Chuan” by having the empty foot placed onto the centerline of the character. Another characteristic in Wu style Tai Chi Chuan is its “horse stance”, in another name known as the “pole stance” which other style Tai Chi Chuan seldom have. Its hand postures emphasize the opening of the “tiger mouth” with the thumb facing upward.

When practicing, try to avoid the movements of leaning the body, folding in the waist and pushing the buttocks out by seeking the “upright when slanting” posture. Don’t extend the knees beyond the toes or lift up the heels without keeping the balance between both feet etc.

Methods to overcome such obstacles: Understand the characteristics of Wu style Tai Chi Chuan first and after that, add the practice of the single movements and use the guiding signs for training when necessary. For example, the training in footwork of Wu style Tai Chi Chuan can be done by drawing 2 parallel lines according to the width of the shoulder and place the feet onto each of the lines. Do the supplementary exercises such as stretching the ankles for accompanying.

The competition routine of 42 Form Tai Chi Chuan is mainly designed for the purpose of competing. It is being standardized in its movements, the positions and layout. When practicing, you should follow the strict rules and refine every movement. As there are many forms used in this routine, people often get confused on how they should perform these movements. In fact, according to the regulations and the arrangements of the routine, the characteristics of this routine are very similar to that of 48 Form Tai Chi Chuan which are mainly adopted from Yang style. The movements of other style are also carried out in the manner of Yang style but remained the original posture of the movements. For example, the movement of “cover and strike fist” taken from Chen style still requires the releasing force but modified in the footwork and hand postures. Another example is the “Jade girl working with shuttles” taken from Wu style, the body is kept upright instead of keeping it “upright when slanting”.