"Song" - loose, relaxed and devoid of tension...

 

"Song" (translated as a state of looseness, relaxation, devoid of tension etc.) is one of the most important and fundamental essentials of Taijiquan, and is the ongoing goal of every Taijiquan player.

This is because "song" enables the body to sink; sinking facilitates softness and pliancy; softness and pliancy leads to lightness and agility; lightness and agility results in extreme sensitivity and the neutralising skill that enables entry to the higher levels of Taijiquan.

 

Within the dynamism of movements, the body must be loose and soft. No part of the body should have a trace of any unnecessary musculoskeletal as well as mental or energetic tension. This is an extremely difficult state to attain.

 

Even with guidance from a good teacher, the state of "song" can be achieved gradually only after a long period of self discipline and correction, of which there is no end point. It involves a multi-layered understanding of essential principles. It can be said that almost all of the essentials of Taijiquan are directly or indirectly associated with "song". Any action that does not adhere to principle will affect to some extent the quality of "song". For instance, if the frame is not balanced and stable, the muscles and joints contract in order to restore balance during movements, using unnecessary strength as well as creating musculoskeletal tension. The mind become anxious and the attempts become frustrating, affecting mental calmness. Therefore, achieving balance and correct structure is one of the methods for achieving "song".

Trunk vs Leaves and Branches

There are two main methods of transmitting and training Taijiquan: one is the "trunk" method and the other is the "leaves & branches" method. The Yang family were the first known Taijiquan masters to make a living by teaching Taijiquan. They used the "trunk" method for some students and the "leaves & branches" method for others. The "trunk" method requires great effort and commitment in order to have an effect, and has little if any fun or enjoyment in the learning process. Only a person who possesses natural talent, tenacity and a deep commitment to Taijiquan is willing to accept this kind of training. The "trunk" method was used by past martial artists who needed to hone their skill in a limited time to defend home and country. They did not have the luxury of time and indulgence. Today the common method is the "leaves & branches" method. This method does not require very hard practice before yielding the first results. The sense of success and accomplishment is reinforced by the many branches and beautiful foliage - unlike the trunk where there's only the thick body and bark.

 

However, all is not lost in the "leaves and branches" method. Sometimes a discerning person recognises that establishing the trunk is a prerequisite for the branches and leaves to survive and to continue to be beautiful and robust. This is considered a roundabout and longer route. Sometimes the significance never becomes apparent and the trunk never reaches its full potential or is rendered useless and discarded.

Conforming to the essence of Taijiquan

It is easy for beginners of Taijiquan to exhibit two extremes: one extreme is to be stiff and inflexible, the other extreme is to be flaccid and weak. Neither of those conform to the essence of Taijiquan, in that movement and form are "light but not floating", "heavy but not stiff", fulfilling the underlying Taijiquan principle of duality, of equal display of softness and hardness; expounding the popular Taijiquan adage "mutual manifestation of pliant softness and heavy strength".

 

Taijiquan cannot be achieved through envy or subterfuge. It takes its natural course, following the gradual order of Yin-Yang changes and the philosophy of the ”middle path". The small dao enables a healthy body; the medium dao enables self-defence capabilities; the high dao disciplines the temperament and cultivates the moral character.

 

 

Understanding Principles to Realise Content

 

Ultimately Taijiquan is not about its appearance but its content. Without expressing the content the practice is incomplete and has not reached its final goal.

 Successful practice requires the understanding of core principles in order to bring about its content. Realising the existence of content enables deeper study. However, appearance and content are dual facets of Taijiquan. Appearance without content is flawed, but then expression is required to bring forth, exhibit and validate the content.

 The appearance can be viewed as the path that leads to a destination. One needs the path to go forward, but one must not remain on the path. A boat takes one across the water to the other side, but one needs to step off the boat on the other side.

 Often people do not realise this and devote time and effort to maintain appearance rather than expressing Taijiquan's content. Being able to do a form beautifully does not necessarily mean one is exhibiting its content and character. Taijiquan movements without its content is not Taijiquan.

Training the martial arts "way"

Training "Quan" (martial arts skill) is about undertaking the "Dao" (the Way); hence the existence and traditional emphasis on "Quan Dao" - the Martial Arts Way. "Quan Dao" is a formula for practice, a blueprint for self-discipline, self-development and self-examination. It is through the pursuit of physical, mental and spiritual perfection that the ultimate goal "Shen Ming" (Enlightenment) may be achieved. The "Dao" must be unadulterated, and understood and realised, so t...hat the "Quan" will have etiquette，ethical and structural order and form. 

 

First know what is "Quan Dao". It is the doctrine of the "Golden Mean" and follows the "Ideal Way" - the doctrine that constitutes balanced practice and one that encompasses cultivation. It seeks an ideal physical state as well as mental and psychological equilibrium. Its quintessential element is Quietness. It is the physical and mental quietness that ensue from training and cultivation. For quietness heightens awareness, enables clarity and provides insight, and leads to gradual enlightenment. It is not ordinary nor is it easy.

 

The study of "Quan" is a dynamic spiritual journey. Using the discipline of external training to nurture and develop inner calm and growth, to temper the character and to reap the intangible but real benefit of "Quan" practice. In the process of long term practice, it is said that the formation of the "Dao" "begins in the heart and goes out to the outside world, and then from the outside world back to the heart" - that is, advancing from simple to complex, then from complexity return to simplicity, which become interchangeable.

 

 

Recognising Errors...

It is inevitable to make many errors in the beginning. Keep on correcting these errors and the level of skill will keep on improving. The process of rectifying mistakes is also the process of forging skill. Therefore when learning taijiquan do not be afraid of errors. Become aware of them.

Some common errors identified for the purpose of awareness are:

 1. Impatience for more movements. Impatience results in overlooking the complete range of specifications, movements are unfinished or just short of the end positions. If the movements are deficient, power is not fully expressed and functionality is not effective. Put more value on quality and not quantity. From the beginning try to grasp the key requirements and apply them throughout the form.

 2. A disquiet mind. Taijiquan is the dual training of the body and mind. When the mind is quiet the energetic flow is smooth. An old saying linked to lifestyle cultivation states "Steal a little leisure from a busy life". The attitude to training is to "steal" some practice time whenever you can, and put aside distractions to concentrate on training. One of the uniqueness of Taijiquan training is the tempering of one's character and mellowing of the mood.

 3. Disconnected movements (of the form). Individual movements may be done quite well, but the link and continuity between movements are not smooth. A Taijiquan routine is a complete unit, not isolated entities joined up. If connecting movements are not executed well the quality of Taijiquan cannot be manifested and continuity and flow compromised. Carefully study the correlation between each posture, and pay attention to the transition. Make sure each posture is complete (breath and energy) before moving to the next. This is the way to make Taijiquan movements round and circular.

 4. Stiffness. When softness and pliancy are absent, movements are stiff and tight. To overcome stiffness, train a few postures repeatedly until the Taijiquan "quality" is felt. Then train another set of postures.

 5. Listlessness. A common interpretation of Taijiquan's softness often takes on a "sickly appearance". Although Taijiquan is based on relaxation, however its martial functionality requires movements to have "power within softness". There's dynamism arising from quiet, looseness and softness, energising the body and filling the spirit.

 6. Instability. The body has not found rootedness. As a result the lower plane is shaky and unstable. The feet are not firmly planted, the "kua" is not opened, the stance is not able to take a seated posture, the crotch is not rounded...

 7. Overthinking. There's confusion and an inability to move forward when a learner over-analyses and thinks of too many requirements at the same time.

 8. Lack of clarity. When the anatomical positions and physiological route are unclear and undefined. Although these vary from person to person, the rules for the hands (upper limbs), eyes, body and footwork are precise. Learners must be guided by an experienced teacher and not guess an approximation. The form can be dismantled and performed at will only after a long time of good foundation.

 

When a movement becomes natural and comfortable then it is more likely that it is in the correct state.

Build upon the basics

Beginners must first place more emphasis on the "physical shape" and less on "mind intent". First achieve "physical likeness", then work on "spiritual quality".
 

As in learning to write with the brush, the writing should be practised first in regular strokes. When the shape and structure of the strokes are correct and standard, then only progress to practise for instance, "reverse in and flat out", "close the stroke by concealing the point" techniques. The next stage may be progression to running script and cursive script. Practise diligently and constantly until the brush is used freely and spontaneously whilst functioning within the rule of writing. 
 

Grasp the fundamental rules of Taijiquan, and you will always maintain the correct posture and structure even in complex movements. Building upon the basics probe further to understand the intended meaning of postures and movements. Correctly grasp the underlying principle. Embody coordination of different parts. Pay attention to timing and rhythm. Demonstrate the unique characteristics of the art. Express the spirit. Improve the standard of training. Learn to train the "jin". Don't emphasise one thing at the expense of the other.