Pathways to Change - NLP & Tai Chi

Further Learning

After learning the basic movements of the form, there are six stages of further development. These are more or less as outlined by one of my first teachers - Master Chu King Hung.

1) Yin and Yang
Here the movements are divided into an alternating sequence of Yin and Yang; of ebb and flow; of inwards and outwards. This helps to differentiate between what Yang Cheng Fu (and others) have called the substantial and the insubstantial. This is outlined in his 4th point. When a leg is bearing most of the weight it is said to be substantial and Yang. A nearly un-weighted leg is Yin. A Yin leg can become Yang by transferring the weight into it. Knowledge of Yin and Yang is one of the keys to making the movements of the form smooth and flowing. If you know where your weight is you know where your balance is.

The principles of Yin and Yang can also be applied to the hips, arms and hands.

2) Yin and Yang Head and Hands
This area is concerned with the relationship of the head, shoulders and arms. As you move into a Yang movement the chin presses lightly backwards causing the top of the head to lift slightly. This has the effect of straightening the back of the neck. The movement should not be exaggerated. This helps to keep the head upright, almost stops the head turning independently of the body and allows the energy to rise up the back of the head and over the front and down. This helps to improve a system of energy circulation called the Microcosmic Orbit.

As the chin moves back in a Yang move the shoulders move slightly forwards to improve the connection of the arm to the upper back. This allows more energy to come into the arms.

3) Opening and Closing of the Arms
This is also known as the spiralling of the arms. On a Yin movement the elbows tend to rise: on a Yang movement they tend to lower. To observe this watch yourself do one of the two handed pushes from the form and notice the rising and lowering (opening and closing) of the arms. It is incorrect to overdo the raising and lowering of the elbows.

I have used the terms opening and closing in a very specific way here. Others may use the words with different meanings (eg opening and closing the back).

4) Opening and Closing of the Legs
This is also known as the spiralling of the legs. Essentially this is concerned with the way the knees make small rotating (spiralling) movements as the weight transfers and the waist turns. Watch yourself do the warm up exercise Arm Swings for some pointers in this area.

5) Internal Breathing
This is integrating the breathing with the Yin and Yang movements at a higher level. It involves a practice called reverse breathing that allows more energy to circulate and project. Also there is further attention to use of the mind's intention.

6) Centre Movement
This is really integrating the movement of the whole body, circulation of the energy, and the intention of the mind into one unit where all is mediated through the Tan Tien - the energy centre located below the belly button and in towards the centre of the body.