Introduction

to Tai Chi

Mini Lecture series
Laura Ting
Gu Feng Tai Chi Club, 17 Jan 2016

Lecture One: History of Tai Chi Chuan (太極拳Taijiquan)

Two aspects: 1) Origin and evolution of the forms 2) Conceptual, cultural and
philosophical origins

Various documented creators of Tai Chi Chuan practice and influential masters:
• Zhang San-Feng (张三丰), more of a legend, ~ 1300 a.d.
• Chen Village lineage: Chen Wang-Ting (陈王廷), ~ 1600-1650 a.d.
• Yang Style lineage: Yang Lu-Chan (杨露禅) (1799-1872)
• Wu2 (吴)， Wu3 (武), Sun1(孙) styles developed later

Conceptual and Philosophical origins - accumulation of various aspects of

Chinese knowledge/cultural resources, represented in three Chinese classics:

I-Ching (Yi-Jing,易经 ) = “ Book of Change”

• I-Ching has the reputation of “sum of all wisdom, answer to any question”
(“Joe Fox” in You’ve Got Mail).
• The most important concept related to Tai Chi Chuan:
- Change is the “norm” of the universe
- Change is governed/driven by the dynamics of Ying and Yang.

Tao-Te Ching (Dao-De Jing (道德经 ) or “Lao Tzu” (老子 )

• Foundation of Daoism, see GFTCC website “Core Values” as summarized by
chapter 33 of Tao-Te Ching
• The most important concept that influenced Tai Chi practice: the power of
softness, (上善若水)， “behavior of WATER represent the best virtue”

The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Medicine or Huangdi Neijing (黄帝内经 )

• Book of the fundamental concepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

• The relation to Tai Chi practice is not as straightforward, but the book
provided fundamental theory of Ying/Yang and five elements in human life,
meridians, organs, and Qi flow.

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The following imageries and diagrams are useful exposures for now and will be
referred to again and again down the road.

The Tai Chi Symbol:




Yang Grows,
Ying Weakens






Ying-Yang and Eight Trigrams

无极生太极，太极生两仪, 两仪生四象, 四象生八卦,八卦生万物
Wu-Chi produce Taiji, Taiji begets Two Poles, Two Poles produce Four Phases,
Four Phases generate Eight Trigrams, Eight Trigrams produce everything
















Good references:

Jou, Tsung Hwa: The Tao of Tai-Chi Chuan, Way to Rejuvenation (in GFTCC library)

The English version of the three books mentioned will be included in the Library
soon.

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Introduction to Tai Chi

Mini Lecture series
Laura Ting
Gu Feng Tai Chi Club, 24 Jan 2016

Lecture Two: Tai Chi Chuan (太極拳Taijiquan) and Chinese Martial Arts

1) Internal vs External styles of martial arts

Internal styles, focus on intent, not the force in training. A good description
appeared in Yang ChengFu ‘s Ten Essentials:

9. Move with continuity

相连不断 xiāng lián bù duàn
In external martial arts, power is the result of brute force. Thus, power has a beginning and an
ending, a continuous segment and then a pause. When old force is exhausted but new force has
not yet been generated there exists an instant of which an opponent can take advantage.
Tai Chi Chuan uses yi, not force. From beginning to end, the movements are continuous with no
breaks. After each cycle movement starts again, circulating with no ending. The original
classics describe this as “… like the long river and the ocean waves that are continuous and
never exhausted.” This concept is also described as “moving the strength as if pulling silk from
a cocoon.” All of these expressions describe the continuity required in Tai Chi Chuan.

10. Seek stillness in motion
动中求静 dòng zhōng qiú jìng
External martial arts stress the ability to jump and throw. Much strength is expended and thus
panting is visible after training. In Tai Chi Chuan, stillness controls movement and when
moving one is as though remaining still. Therefore, in form practice it is considered that slower
is better. When practicing slowly, breathing becomes deep and long and qi sinks down to
dantian. This naturally keeps the pulse from becoming elevated. Practitioners who take this
concept to heart will eventually get the essence of the practice.

2) Three leading internal styles

Taijiquan (太极拳)， Xing-Yi, (形意拳)，Bagua Palm (八卦掌), are considered the

three main styles of internal martial art in China. Among these, Taijiquan enjoys
the widest popularity.

3) Internal strength “内力 (nei li)” or “内劲 (nei jin)”

The internal strength is an important concept in Tai Chi practice, but it has many
different interpretations. In general, people agree that the nei-jin is a result of
highly integrated body and mind and is considered superior than the use of
muscles alone. Beyond that, there is no good verbal description of Internal
Strength that has wide consensus among advanced practitioners.

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Introduction to Tai Chi

Mini Lecture series
Laura Ting
Gu Feng Tai Chi Club, 31 Jan 2016

Lecture Three: Tai Chi Chuan (太極拳Taijiquan) and Qigong (氣功)

1) Qigong is the general name of many forms and methods for practicing the
art of cultivating “Qi” (氣 pronounced as “chee”, and translated as energy
flow)

2) Taijiquan teaches the use the mind/intent to lead the movement, and is
often considered a form of Qigong practice

3) Many Tai Chi Teachers would prefer to separate the two, because they
have very difference foci: Tai chi is a martial art practice and Qigong
practices (although some have martial art focus) are mostly for healing
and life energy nurturing and cultivation.

4) Good Tai Chi practice enhances Qi flow. The feeling of Qi in Tai chi
practice is a good sign of progress.

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Introduction to Tai Chi

Mini Lecture series
Laura Ting
Gu Feng Tai Chi Club, 7 Feb 2016

Lecture Four: Tai Chi Chuan Styles and Forms

1) As a traditional art, Taijiquan is passed down by lineages. Many masters

contributed to the development of the styles and forms of the Taijiquan practice.
The most influential styles are generally considered to be Chen (陳), Yang(楊),
Wu3 (武), Wu2(吳), Sun (孫). The lineage chart below is a good reference.

2) The practice in GFTCC focuses on Yang and Chen styles. The video shown in
the party of 2/6/2016 provided the highlights of the influential teachers for the
club.

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Introduction to Tai Chi

Mini Lecture series
Laura Ting
Gu Feng Tai Chi Club, 14 February 2016

Lecture Five: Elements of Tai Chi practice

1) Tai Chi practice includes:

Frame/form, weapons, push-hands, sparring, pole standing and more. As an
example, Chen Village schools practice shaking long poles, Taiji Ball, etc.

2) Our school:

Poles (standing and moving); Routines/Forms, word, saber, Push-hands

3) Exercise vs martial arts: they share the same foundation

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Introduction to Tai Chi

Mini Lecture series
Laura Ting
Gu Feng Tai Chi Club, 21 February 2016

Lecture Six: 武德 (Wu De) The Chinese Martial Art Code of Ethics

1) Respect for the art and the teachers who pass the knowledge: Imperative for
being a student of a traditional art.

2) Humility and modesty: an essential character for making true advancement in the
art. Tai Chi is about being humble at core.

3) Righteousness: Traditional martial arts are not about violence but about
controlling violence. The art should only be passed to those use it for the good cause.

4) Loyalty: this is a very important requirement for the martial art students
traditionally. A student of the school need the permission from the teacher if want to
study other styles. In the modern setting, this should be extended as necessary
appreciation for the school.

Referenced:

• Chapter 56 of Tao Te Ching by Laozi
(http://www.taoism.net/ttc/complete.htm)
• 2013 movie “The Grandmasters”, directed by Wong Kar-wei

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Introduction to Tai Chi

Mini Lecture series
Laura Ting
Gu Feng Tai Chi Club, 28 February and 6 March 2016

Lecture Seven: Tai Chi and Traditional Chinese Theories

1) 太极八法 Eight Methods/Techniques of Tai Chi:

• Peng2, Lu3, Ji3, An4, Cai3, Lie4, Zhou3, Kao4)
• Roughly translated as: ward-off, roll-back, squeeze, press, pluck, split, elbow,
body-strike
• Energy patterns correspond to the eight trigrams (Heaven, Earth, Water, Fire,
Wind, Thunder, Lake, Mountain)

2) 五步： (Five footworks)

• Jin4, Tui4, Gu4, Pan4, Ding4
• Advance, retreat, care for the left, the right, and central equilibrium
• Relationships correspond to the Five Elements

3) See additional handouts for the specifics

4) Take home message: Tai chi is designed to follow the law of the nature.

“道法自然” The “Dao” follows the law of the nature

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Introduction to Tai Chi

Mini Lecture series
Laura Ting
Gu Feng Tai Chi Club, 13 March 2016

Lecture Eight: Stages of the Taiji Practice

There are many ways to consider the stages. The following is considered specifically
for the club members from my perspective:

• Frame development (盘架子)
At this beginning stage, focus on the form practice, characterized by
松 (“song1”, looseness), 慢 (“man4”, slowness), 圆 (“yuan2”, circular), 匀 (“yun2”,
evenness)

• Qi development

Result of persistent mindful practices

• Power development
Push hands practice is an important part to explore and exprience the power of
yielding and integrated “song1”. More specific discussions in future.


Important take home message:

上善若水 (upper most “good quality/virtue” is to be like Water)
厚德载物 (deep virtue carries)

For the goodness of Water, read Tao Te Ching (Chapter 8)

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