Our Practice

 

 

Master Huang Sheng Shyan continued to refine the successful method of teaching he learnt from Cheng Man-ch'ing, developing a complete system with the underlying importance being the focus of bringing the Taiji principles into movement.

 

The five relaxing exercises, the 37 posture short form and the partner work are the core of the practice, with the solo exercises and form developing the internal strength and the partner work developing the sensitivity, listening and the understanding of the forces.

 

Attention to accuracy of physical movement, which leads to the accuracy and awareness of internal movement, is continually stressed.

 

The Up and Down Movement

 

The foundation exercise for our practice, the up and down movement was developed by Master Huang in the early eighties, some twenty years after the creation of the relaxing exercises. The importance of this seemingly simple practice can not be underestimated, especially as Master Huang often mentioned that all his understanding of Taiji was in this movement.

 

Relaxing Exercises

 

The Five Relaxing Exercises were developed by Master Huang with the intent to provide the students with a systematic structure to bring the taiji principles into the body. The repetitive nature of the the movements allows the time and space for the student to constantly refine their practice.

 

We always learn the Relaxing Exercises first as they give us the foundation for the rest of the system. Even as a "developed" practitioner we can not afford to overlook them and must continue to work to refine them. How we move in the Relaxing Exercises will translate directly how we move in the Form and Partner Work.

 

Short Form

 

The form provides the vehicle to develop our internal strength through correcting our body alignment and structure which allows for the cultivation of deep relaxation. All of this can be achieved by integrating the taiji principles within the form.

 

The 37 posture Cheng Man-Ching Short Form is the foundation form in our system. The initial emphasis is to relax, loosen and open the joints. Then to foucs on developing complete accuracy within the physical postures and movement, which gradually leads to the subtle refinement of internal body movements.

 


Pushing Hands

 

The legendary founder explains in the last sentence of the first Taiji classic;

"The intended purpose was for the followers to attain health and longevity, not just for combat."

This statement highlights the fact that Taiji is a martial art. A martial art with the purpose of achieving health and longevity.

The pushing hands are essential if one wants to go deeper into art of Taiji. Through the partner work the practitioners can cultivate sensitivity, listening and the understanding of the forces.

 

Whether practising the fixed step patterns or the free play our focus is to develop the principles of sticking, adhering, connecting and following, whilst not resisting or disconnecting.