....(continued from last post)....Most people that practice Tai Chi Chuan (hereafter simply referred to as Tai Chi, which is the commonly used nickname.) are doing so for the health benefits associated with Tai Chi training. So we will address Tai Chi practice for health, first. When a person is learning Tai Chi movements for health it is true that many of the fine details that are important for the fighting applications of Tai Chi are not a major point of focus in their training, but rather the focus is placed on large scale movements that are going to promote movement of the body in ways that will promote increased balance, coordination, etc. So it is not necessary to follow a specific partner of movements with a high degree of precision to receive many of the health benefits of Tai Chi. However, even when practiced for health, the basic Tai Chi principles should be adhered to for better results. For example, proper alignment should be emphasized to avoid injury and to aid balance. When a new student practices the movements of a Tai Chi form, it is not uncommon for knee injuries to occur due to poor knee alignment. If it were true that one cannot practice Tai Chi incorrectly, this could not happen. However, as with any other physical activity, there is a "right" (safer) and "wrong" (more dangerous) way of performing the movements. So, the statement in question, does not hold true for Tai Chi when it is practiced for health.
How about for the fighting applications of Tai Chi? Is it possible to do them wrong? Oh yes, it is possible, and you will know immediately when it happens. However, there is a high degree of variability in how each techniques is applied because every person with which you practice will be different and the technique must be adapted to fit each situation. However, the fundamental principles of the technique do not change, only the way in which the principles are applied. Even in Tai Chi form practice for martial arts there are a number of variations in how each move is practiced, and these variations are simply ways in which to emphasize a particular aspect of the fighting technique. So long as the basic principles are correct, and we are only considering variations of correct techniques, then I believe it is safe to say that there is no right or wrong way to practice, because each variation serves its purpose. However, without those restrictions, it is very possible to practice wrong in the case of Tai Chi training for martial purposes.
So, from where would such a statement come? Why would it be passed around so often and repeated so frequently by Tai Chi players? There are a few of different applications for this statement in the world of Tai Chi, but they are not without specified boundaries.
One such application is, as I mentioned before, when referring to different technique variations, or even different styles of Tai Chi. Saying that there is no right or wrong way serves as a reminder that while there may be some methods that are preferred by some styles over others, as long as they are useful, and adhere to the principles of Tai Chi, they are valid. It can be used to unite Tai Chi practitioners of different teachers and different styles, because we are all practicing Tai Chi here.
Another application of this statement is in reference to mastery. When one has sufficiently internalized the principles of Tai Chi, to a point at which they no longer have to concentrate on maintaining those principles, because they have become second nature, then they are no longer confined to specific "right" techniques. They are free to be creative and adapt to any new situation, by inventing their own techniques if necessary. For them, there is no right or wrong way of doing...... it is just a matter of doing, because their mastery of the basic principles opens up a whole new world of possibilities to them. However, few people truly reach a place in their understanding of Tai Chi where they can actually improve on the generations of training and experience that have gone into the creation of the various styles of Tai Chi that we know today.
Saying that there is no right way or wrong way to practice Tai Chi has its applications, beyond what we have even discussed here. However, as with any skill, there is a great amount of time and training that must go into developing a deep understanding of the basics before the practitioner has a firm enough grasp on the skill to begin to truly express herself/himself in an new ways. And in Tai Chi, as with any skill, there are correct ways to practice and incorrect ways. So, appreciate the uses for such a statement, in appropriate settings, but do not let it become an excuse to ignore foundational principles that are necessary for good Tai Chi training.
How about for the fighting applications of Tai Chi? Is it possible to do them wrong? Oh yes, it is possible, and you will know immediately when it happens. However, there is a high degree of variability in how each techniques is applied because every person with which you practice will be different and the technique must be adapted to fit each situation. However, the fundamental principles of the technique do not change, only the way in which the principles are applied. Even in Tai Chi form practice for martial arts there are a number of variations in how each move is practiced, and these variations are simply ways in which to emphasize a particular aspect of the fighting technique. So long as the basic principles are correct, and we are only considering variations of correct techniques, then I believe it is safe to say that there is no right or wrong way to practice, because each variation serves its purpose. However, without those restrictions, it is very possible to practice wrong in the case of Tai Chi training for martial purposes.
So, from where would such a statement come? Why would it be passed around so often and repeated so frequently by Tai Chi players? There are a few of different applications for this statement in the world of Tai Chi, but they are not without specified boundaries.
One such application is, as I mentioned before, when referring to different technique variations, or even different styles of Tai Chi. Saying that there is no right or wrong way serves as a reminder that while there may be some methods that are preferred by some styles over others, as long as they are useful, and adhere to the principles of Tai Chi, they are valid. It can be used to unite Tai Chi practitioners of different teachers and different styles, because we are all practicing Tai Chi here.
Another application of this statement is in reference to mastery. When one has sufficiently internalized the principles of Tai Chi, to a point at which they no longer have to concentrate on maintaining those principles, because they have become second nature, then they are no longer confined to specific "right" techniques. They are free to be creative and adapt to any new situation, by inventing their own techniques if necessary. For them, there is no right or wrong way of doing...... it is just a matter of doing, because their mastery of the basic principles opens up a whole new world of possibilities to them. However, few people truly reach a place in their understanding of Tai Chi where they can actually improve on the generations of training and experience that have gone into the creation of the various styles of Tai Chi that we know today.
Saying that there is no right way or wrong way to practice Tai Chi has its applications, beyond what we have even discussed here. However, as with any skill, there is a great amount of time and training that must go into developing a deep understanding of the basics before the practitioner has a firm enough grasp on the skill to begin to truly express herself/himself in an new ways. And in Tai Chi, as with any skill, there are correct ways to practice and incorrect ways. So, appreciate the uses for such a statement, in appropriate settings, but do not let it become an excuse to ignore foundational principles that are necessary for good Tai Chi training.
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