Benefits of Tai Chi Chuan

2. Form

Solo Form

As a rough guide learning a short form can take anywhere from 2-4 months, depending on the depth of detail covered (i.e. how much testing of postures, discussion of concepts and principles and/or demonstration of martial arts applications). How often you practice and your previous experience at learning movement will also be a factor. The traditional long form takes from 6 months to 1.5 years, although most people who first learn a short form find that it takes less time. However learning the sequence of movement is only the beginning. Once you gain confidence in the ‘rough shape of things’ it is time to turn your attention to the internal workings of the movements. So do not be surprised if the first thing that happens when you finish the form is to be asked to start again with corrections. At this stage you should be less concerned with what the movement is and more concerned with how the energy flows through it and projects out when you are tested. Here you must employ all your understanding of the principles and concepts of Yi (intention), sinking, use of your ‘kuas’ (ask an instructor), relaxing and projecting. It is possible that you might also begin work on spiralling concepts.
 
The depth of material may seem bottomless and to an extent it is. This work is now on-going and you could easily study the form to deeper and deeper and more satisfying levels for life. Some schools will go on to teach the weapons straight after you have learnt the movement from the long form. The problem here is that all you are doing is learning more movement. If this is what you have done, please ask yourself the following question: when are your going to stop learning movement and start learning Tai Chi? Without serious study of the concepts and principles within each movement you are not making an honest study of energy in the body and all the much-touted benefits will be limited.
 
Weapons

As an example in our school it is very hard to reach a level where working with the broadsword can be more than just movement in less than 3 years. The level that makes straight sword form a worthwhile study is even harder to reach. One must not forget that the amount of material learnt is not as important as the depth of understanding you have. If you insist on learning something like the broadsword before you are ready it could easily encourage you to hold onto physical force and stop you from your skill.
 
Forms with partners

There are lots of set forms that are for practice in conjunction with a partner. All of these are extremely important in helping you to understand the play of energy between people and are a good lead into the martial aspect of Tai Chi. As with other aspects these forms are increasingly difficult and demanding in terms of co-ordination, application of principle and body conditioning.
 
Again, if you want to do more than just be physical (external), you must have a basic understanding of internal principles before beginning your training with a partner, but it is certainly possible to get value from basic single push hands after learning the movements of a short form. Within a relatively short time period, you can progress to learning double push hands and in my opinion sensitivity training (freestyle push hands) is a good continual backdrop to the more structured play available.

3. Martial Skills / Self-defence

Even if you have a traditional martial art or self-defence background you will probablyfind the Tai Chi approach to combat very strange. To a certain extent it is best approached ‘crabwise’. Plenty of form work, chi kung, meditation, reflection and partner work must be undertaken alongside attempts at applying the concepts and principles in a self-defence scenario. If you start ‘sparring’ and trying to ‘use it’ from day one you cannot possibly be doing Tai Chi – you will be using physical, external force. This is the stark difference between external and internal martial arts. Tai Chi, in the end, is not technique based. It is concept and principle based and those concepts are to do with usage of internal energy. To remain relaxed and centred in combat is the work of many years. A good wine takes time to mature.
 
4. Spiritual – meditation

Tai Chi can aid your spiritual endeavours by giving a very true and fundamental knowledge of yourself. As you relax and calm the body and mind you can begin to see how your thoughts, actions and relationships (to others, to yourself, to the world around you) are working. From this viewpoint you can then see how you need to change in order to self-develop and get more from your spiritual beliefs.