Mastersoft Media
Classic Ideas in Modern Formats
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Dale Napier, Writer
DaleNapierWriter.com
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Frequently Asked Questions - Elemental Tai Chi
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Frequently Asked Questions
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What is Tai Chi Chuan?
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Also known as taijiquan, literally translated as "Grand Ultimate
Fist". One of Sifu Napier's favorite characterizations is from Yang
Cheng-fu: "Taiji is the art of concealing hardness within softness,
like an iron bar wrapped in cotton."
Taiji is best known for its slow, smooth, gentle movement. Practiced by
most people in the world today for its impressive health benefits, it is equally
impressive when utilized as a martial art. Its martial arts roots go back
to at least the late Ming Dynasty. For more information see the
Background
page.
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What is Yangjia Michuan Taijiquan? How is it different from regular
Yang taiji?
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Yangjia simply means Yang Family. All Yang taiji derives from the
systems created by Yang Lu-chan (1799-1873) who is the founder of Yang Family
taiji, and by his sons and grandsons. Although Yang taiji is constantly
evolving, it all references the systems, forms, and techniques created among
those three generations.
YMT is one of Yang Lu-chan's earliest systems, and one of the best-kept
secrets until the last half century. This is because until 1949, YMT was
taught under the tradition of each master passing the system to only one
student. Thus the lineage and the system was transmitted intact, without
fundamental changes in approach. Sifu Napier is a 6th generation lineage holder
of YMT. His lineage is: Yang Lu-chan, Yang Jin-hou, Zhang Qin-Lin,
Wang Yen-nien, Hu Ling (George Hu). Grandmaster Hu is actively teaching
YMT to select advanced students, many of whom are themselves active teachers.
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What prior training do I need to practice Tai Chi?
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None at all. We will teach you everything you need to know.
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What kind of physical condition do I have to be in to practice Tai Chi?
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If you can stand up unassisted, you can practice Tai Chi. We work with
students of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. If you have an injury or
disability, we can help you work within and grow beyond that limitation.
Within the class setting we tailor each student's training to his or her own
abilities and goals. As a student we encourage you to benchmark your
progress not against what others can do, but what you have achieved for
yourself.
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Am I required to wear a uniform?
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No. From time to time class T-shirts may be available to purchase if
you wish to wear them in or out of class, but they are optional.
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What should I wear to practice Tai Chi?
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Loose fitting clothing without a belt or jewelry. Footwear is fine,
except that we recommend you choose footwear that is flat-bottomed and not
slippery. Leather soles are not a good idea, and leather in general is a
bad idea, with the exception of rubber-soled leather sandals. Footwear
should fit snugly without squeezing unnecessarily. Do not go barefooted;
wear gym socks at least, to protect your feet. We will be practicing on a
wooden deck or some other surface that is not completely comfortable for bare
feet.
Blouses or shirts do better if they are not tucked in, and not too long, and
not too tight fitting. Pants should be extremely loose around the hips,
thighs, and calves. Leotards are OK if they fit comfortably, but they
reveal all your mistakes, so watch out! Same for shorts, which are
particularly good in the summer. Dress to stay cool until it is time to
worry about being cold.
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Do I need any special gear for class?
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No, although for Chi Kung class you may wish to bring padding
to sit on. We meditate not on pads on the ground, but on Western style
seating that allows you to place your feet flat on the ground, but the
seats may be more comfortable with a little padding. A pillow or
blanket folded over should work fine.
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What does it take to earn a Black Belt in Tai Chi?
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There is no such thing as a black belt in taijiquan or any
other Chinese martial art.
In recent years China has introduced a nine-level
system for measuring ability in Tai Chi and various external ("kung fu") martial
arts, but we do not use it in YMT. Progress is measured by increased health,
vitality, strength, flow of chi, fluidity of movement, and self-defense ability,
using our own past as a benchmark. An experienced teacher can tell
a person's level of ability through simple observation of his/her movement.
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What is Chi?
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This has been a subject of discussion for centuries, if not millennia.
To call it breath would not be far off, although it is sometimes
characterized as bioelectric energy that flows along pathways known as
meridians. Chi (qi) is recognized, named, descrbied, and
experimented with
by spiritual traditions around the world. The Indian word is
prana;
the Japanese call it ki. Many health problems are often
seen as the
irregular and weak, rather than smooth and strong, flow of chi in the
meridians. Chi can be felt but not seen; experienced but not shown.
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What is Chi Kung?
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Chi kung (qigong) is a wide variety of movement exercises that are
similar to small portions of a taiji form, with similar purpose and
characteristics. Qigong is designed to cultivate chi -- to
strengthen it, to smoothen the flow, to control it, and even,
eventually, to discharge it. The discharge can be used for
either health benefits or
detriments. Taiji is a specialized type of qigong, but most
types of qigong are simpler and easier to learn than taiji.
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What is Nei Gong Meditation?
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Nei Gong (neigong) is an active form of meditation like qigong without
movement: it is entirely internal. Rather than sit quietly and
blank out your mind, you actively engage your mind to cultivate your qi and
reach higher spiritual states.
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