| Feature Article A Look at the Various Stages of Tai Chi
–
Chief Instructor Brett Wagland
Yang Lu Chan (1799-1872), founder of Yang Style Tai Chi, reached a very high level of
skill in this art. His body was as soft as cotton and yet his internal force was as hard
as steel. Many people wonder how the gentle, relaxed movements of Tai Chi can be used for
self defence. In China, the term "Tai Chi Chuan" means the Grand Ultimate Fist.
This indicates that the art is representative of the highest principles and techniques in
the field of developing the mind, body and spirit to their full potential.
 The first stage of Tai Chi training is to strengthen and change
every part of the body, that is, the head, neck, arms, spine, waist and legs. The initial
focus is to understand correct posture. With correct posture, one feels the spine straight
and the weight of the body in the feet, not in the knees or lower back. The Quiet Standing
Qigong practice is also used to help develop this understanding. Knowing how to stand
properly helps you to relieve back pain and avoid injury in the lower back.
Then, it is time to apply this understanding in movement. Tai Chi Walking teaches you to
maintain the correct alignment of the body while moving from one position to another. It
also helps you to begin developing coordination between the upper and lower body, and
eventually, every joint and muscle in the body.
The Quiet Standing Qigong practice is always useful. This will help you calm your mind,
which is very important in progressing to the next level. In summary, the first stage is
for training the joints and muscles and calming the mind.
The next stage of Tai Chi training is to develop the body to be relaxed but with a natural
force (as distinct from hard force). At this stage, you are becoming stronger. When you
practise, your movements contain natural force even though you feel relaxed. The first
level is difficult; it is like driving a car in first gear moving slowly. In the second
level, you are able to move into second gear.
At this stage, your qi (also transliterated as chi) or internal energy builds up and you
can feel it as you practise. In the beginning, you may only feel the qi some of the time.
However, at this stage, you can feel it all the time. It feels stronger or fuller. You are
also able to use your body more efficiently. You can generate natural force quickly and
with just a small movement. Whenever you do things or learn new skills, you are in tune
with your body and feel more natural.
At this level, you also begin to feel more during your Quiet Standing Qigong practice and
always feel good afterwards. Calming the mind is no longer an issue. Although your Tai Chi
form feels comfortable, you are not able to fully integrate the Qigong with your Tai Chi.
During this level, your body is developing further. Besides being more aware of the
joints, you are also beginning to feel the organs inside the body. This stage is
characterised by understanding the internal: the organs, qi and mind. Also, you will
notice a positive change in your personality and thinking. You become much calmer and are
able to think more clearly.
In the higher levels, the unity of Tai Chi and Qigong is reached. One's Tai Chi is Qigong,
and vice versa. Besides natural force, one will have internal power, even though one still
feels very natural and relaxed. In other words, one has reached a state of effortlessness.
At this stage, it is the mind that further develops one's practice. One has perfect
control of one's body. One can make a point on the arm jump, similar to a horse twitching
or can cause one's hair to stand on end. One can even regulate one's body temperature
regardless of the weather. Not surprisingly, very few people reach this level.
Since one can feel one's internal organs and control the circulation of qi through the
meridians, one is able to govern an opponent's energy. One can make an opponent's qi rise
or fall. People who have experienced this force from a master claim that it is like being
lifted to a great height or the feeling of falling from great height, although in reality
the physical body has hardly moved. This brings on a feeling of a nausea. This experience
is very frightening.
The founder of Yang Style, Yang Lu Chan, also possessed Ching Gong or lightness skill. It
was said that when visiting his friend during a rainy period, he arrived with no mud on
his shoes. When he walked in the snow, no footprint could be found.
It is inspiring to hear what others have achieved and how far the art can take us, if we
desire to do so. Although it may take a lifetime to achieve the higher levels of Tai Chi,
everyone can master the first stage which is more than enough for good health and
relaxation. Regular practice is the key and secret to achieving the desired result.
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