As part of Zhong Ding, what's on offer: the chance to really train to the highest standard, 1) with your instructors who have often had to travel thousands of miles themselves, and with some of these Masters when they visit us in the west. 2) The other part is to train yourself. If you think you fully understand any part of the syllabus then you are probably very far from it! So train and train again - you should be aiming to be the masters of tomorrow as you have all the opportunities needed. Best wishes and fruitful training.
Part of a longer article by John Higginson (4th duan Maestro Instructor N.W. Region)
All of us who practise the noble art of Taijiquan are interested in developing
in at least one of its many aspects: ability, skill, growth of patience, having
a inner - center to hold becoming a martial artist, improving as a person, forming
relationships, obtain a certain spiritual sense, etc, even competing.
On reading a book or an article, seeing a report or attending classes, few people
comment on the practical application of the art, to reach a certain objective.
We are impressed with words about the wonders of Taijiquan, which of course
are true, or by the beauty, gracefulness and apparent ease of its gentle movements.
But without the daily and diligent practice of the art and its principles, they
would be no use at all. We often attend classes or courses, ending with our
legs aching (a reward for hard work) or with us being slightly aware or our
tensions, but we go home to rest (and forget). But what about our objectives
for which we started to practise?
We always want " the best, the quickest, the easiest and, if possible,
the cheapest". Therefore, we forget to practise until our next class, and
so we allow all the benefits of the art to escape from our hands.
Even if at times we feel over whelmed by tasks, lack of time or the hurries
of life; who is unable to take a little time to feel suspended from the top
of one's head, pull in one's chest, round one's shoulders, bend one's knees
slightly, keep one's back straight and relax a bit? The practice of these and
other principles leads to ability and skill, health and relaxation, so "what's
the problem?" Surely we can still take life a bit more calmly.
The same thing happens with traditional weapons are used. Some people get frightened,
and they consider it violent, or only suitable for people with a high level
, or dangerous. Why? It is still Taijiquan, with all its principles and its
benefits for health and relaxation, and its philosophy and its spirit are there.
Nothing has moved or changed, or emigrated to another place; there's simply
something else in one's hands to explore in the art. What's more, this practice
enables us to progress in our approach, since our vision of the art will be
more global and at the same time it will help us to work with greater attention
and discover more subtleties. In this way, we will get better and our practice
will begin to increase in quality.
This is what also happens with fast forms, push - hand methods or free pushing
hands: they all pursue the same end, the same principles, exactly the same as
at the begining. Therefore, everything is the same: TAIJIQUAN. The only thing
that changes is the quality with which it is done, and this comes only through
practice and learning.
Therefore, all of us who are interested in taking advantage of the many benefits
of Taijiquan should give some of our time and our effort to improve a little
more. Thus, both daily the chance to concentrate on different aspects of the
art, are important.
When we are honoured by the visit of a Master, we should first find out who
he is, what style he practises, and what he is going to teach, and we should
ask our instructors for references, after which we should try to attend the
sessions. We should forget our prejudices about " my level being low because
I only started a few months ago" and this kind of thing, since, in the
final analysis, we're all there to learn and get better, perfecting our ability
on the art both in quantity and in quality, for ourselves and for those around
us, because one of the important points of Taijiquan is our relationship with
others.
There are also people who may be lacking in character and motivation, and perhaps
the instructor finds it very hard to transmit to them his love of and interest
in Taijiquan; such people start classes, but it isn't long before they stop
attending without having got a real taste of the art, so they give up empty-handed
instead or enjoying a "mountain full or treasures".
"The way of perfection is hard and demands great commitment, but the reward
that can be obtained has a value which cannot be calculated".
So let's allow this noble art to spread and reach every aspect of life, which
it will no doubt do, and let's get ready to relax, or better still, to "let
it go".
"There are 3 important factors in learning the art: correct teaching, natural talent, and perseverance. There are can be no success at all without perseverance.
Every day that we practise the form, we lay down a layer of skill as thin as tissue paper but with time even thin sheets of tissue can pile up high. Persevere." (The inner way).
Soon, there will be an increase in the number or people interested in practising
Taiji. Some will be strong, sharp and perceptive, but they must be careful to
be satisfy with small successes, dominating immediate results. Others want immediately
results but they must not fall into the trap of neglecting the details, learning
a large number of techniques quickly. The latter will copy the out aspect but
will ignore the inward aspect, and for this reaction they will miss the whole
point of Taijiquan. When we analyse their form, we will see that it don't have
the correct measure, and the daily corrections are neglected.
The objective can only be reached in a natural way after many days, months an
years. Taijiquan isn't a kind of thing related to western techniques, in which
everything is easily explained an proved, and few things require such a subtle
and deep study. ("But the most important is if you don't use your brain,
you can't train")
"Every move or the solo form has health benefits- for example Single Whip is an opening movement which benefits the heart. There is no need, however, to explore this in too great detail for if you are doing the movements correctly the health benefits will follow." (The Inner Warrior)
Javier Mesa instructor de Zhong Ding en España.
Translation: Andrew Southall y Javier Mesa.