Chi Body

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Acupuncture is said to redress the imbalance of the internal energy, or should ie chi energy. Some people believed that chi energy there, and sometimes not. I thought that the ancient Chinese religion are influenced by three main Taoism, Confucianism and Buddhism. These three religions claim that everything in the universe chi energy to keep them from working. They said that if he fell ill, there is an imbalance of chi in our body. Is all this true?

Acupuncture was way before there was Taoism, Confucianism and Buddhism. So that religion has no influence on him. Indeed, Confucianism is a religion. It is a guide to moral and social values. chi or qi comes from practice Traditional Chinese Medicine.

How To Prepare for Training in Chen Style Tai Chi Chuan

The average individual on the streets of the United States has heard of Tai Chi Chuan. Many of them have seen the images on television or the big screen, of men, women and children moving in a slow and flowing form of motion that looks soft and gentle and somewhat easy to do. Typically what was shown was the Yang style form of Tai Chi, often espoused for its health benefit and meditative aspects.

What the vast majority of people are not aware of, is that there are different forms or styles of Tai Chi. Chen style Tai Chi is the predecessor of the Yang Style. Many classically trained martial artists believe that the Chen Style of Tai Chi maybe the most combative form of Tai Chi training in existence. The slow motions of the Chen style tai chi forms hold the keys to defensive training against strikes, and grabs and holds, with training that develops skills in limb control and destruction, joint locks, sweeps, throws, kicks and punches.

Here in New York City, Chen Style Tai Chi is taught by Master Yu Guo Shun. His performance of the the Chen Style Tai Chi forms exhibit unusual grace, very specific detail in motion and very obvious power despite the slow motions of the forms. Master Yu Guo Shun has dedicated himself for many years towards training and perfection in this art. He works diligently to ensure that his students move with “correct intention and understanding” of what they are doing.

In a span of five months I have witnessed a large number of beginners come to “try out” and “begin” training.  At the time of this writing, I personally have over 40 years of training in many martial arts systems/styles from All Over Asia. I have seen many people come and go, that is normal and to be expected. What I found unusual in my experience here in Chen Style Tai Chi is that while many students come, very few students return for a second class!! Typically, in most martial arts styles, we expect student to stay for a couple of weeks to a few months before they quit. This was truly an eye opener.

Chen Style Tai Chi as taught by Master Yu Guo Shun is very much a workout that challenges the legs and the core muscle groups. The deep stances are necessary for a foundation that supports weight shift and striking or throwing motions. The core muscle groups are challenged to support the spine in different angles and turning/twisting motions that are meant to allow a defender better access to an opponent’s limbs, and to gain better control over an attacker to allow for efficient joint locks and control movements.

While it is not necessary to do so, I recommend a 2-3 week prepatory cycle of training that will enable beginners to come to class to learn Chen Style Tai Chi efficiently and hopefully less painfully at the start, to increase their chances of success and continued steady growth in training. By allowing the body some time to get used to low stance work, allowing time to start gaining in flexibility and by gently developing the core, students will be less likely to be adversely affected by cramps and muscle soreness that lasts for several days following class.

Flexibility of the body will be very useful in dealing with the kicks, and stances found in Chen Tai Chi. The hips and knees and ankles will be very challenged initially. The first several movements of the Lao Jia first form emphasize wide stances and weight shift that most people have never done. The standing on one leg, and lowering of the body down on one leg is also very difficult if students are heavier or unused to  supporting the Body Weight in such a manner.

Stretching of the legs, and hips and ankles 2-4x a week for 15-20 minutes will go along way towards getting the body used to the demands of Chen Tai Chi. In addition to the stretching of the legs, I recommend practice getting used to standing in a horse stance and shifting the weight from one side of the body to the other, each shift, holding the weight shift for about 30 seconds, before moving to the opposite side. Done 2-4x a week, for a few minutes will work wonders in getting the body acclimated to such weight shifts. Standing on one leg and lowering and raising the body will improve balance/core stability and enhance strength. That needs to only be done a few repetitions at the time you schedule your preparation workout.

Gentle progressive core training is highly recommended in one’s preparation to begin Chen Tai Chi class training. By having the body used to working the core to stabilize and turn the trunk one is able to avoid cramps and muscle tightness that can be very painful and discouraging. Core training should gently work the abdominal groups. Light bending of the trunk forward and backward, and then to either side starts making the body aware that these motions will be upcoming. Then abdominal training can be done. The goal isn’t to shock the body, but instead to get the body used to working certain muscle groups and then to developing progressively more endurance and tolerance to activity. In addition to the abdominal groups, the Lower Back should receive some focus as well.

It is recommended that the lower back receive training following the abdominal focus. This way the body is already warmed up and ready for some gentle activity. Laying prone on one’s stomach, keeping the arms by ones side, gently raise the head and torso up as a unit. Try not to jerk or pull up excessively on the neck. Move as a whole unit, that will keep the emphasis on the erector muscles of the spine. Lower the body and relax, and repeat. Again, the objective is not to to do high numbers of reps, rather, we are communicating to our bodies that we need to have those groups involved in the motions ready and used to firing. This way, in class, the body won’t be shocked and overly stimulated. If one is familiar with the Sun Salutation from Yoga, that is a wonderful progression to seek experience and growth with in preparing for Chen Tai Chi class.

Learning to hydrate and to relax one’s breathing is also very useful. Surprisingly there are still many people who don’t enjoy drinking water in quantities that are healthful. Training outdoors it is easy to dehydrate quickly without one being aware of it. Although the movements of the Chen forms are done slowly, they are done deliberately with intention, and that forces us to expend energy and to sweat. Getting used to drinking alot of water, enables us to stay fueled and avoid cramping or rapid fatigue. Breathing is something that people are not often used to examining. When we learn new movements or we concentrate, many of us hold our breaths as we concentrate hard on how to do something. Without proper breath, again, we fatigue quickly and we can mentally become exhausted quickly as well.

Finally, I believe it is imperative for all newcomers to the art to realize what a journey they may have tried to embark upon. Beyond any doubt, for me, learning Chen Style Tai Chi has been the most difficult of any martial art form I have ever tried. The form is VERY LONG. It takes almost 10 minutes to do properly. Students have to understand that when they first start learning the form, it is a slow process. When first starting out, it isn’t uncommon to practice 2-5 motions over and over and over again, for the entire length of one training period!

I believe that in order to best prepare and succeed as a beginner in Chen Style Tai Chi one needs to develop the mindset of being ready to persevere, yet, understand, that when fatigue sets in, it is ok to stop and rest. Allow yourself to rehydrate, allow yourself to rest and refocus, and understand that you may be a little achy or sore following the class. By participating in a 2-3 week regimen of gentle training as I’ve outline above, you will be better prepared to engage in a wonderful, beautiful and effective martial arts system that will reward all your efforts!

About the Author

Jeff Chung is a long time martial artist, living in NYC. He is an instructor in the art of Kali and knifetraining. He is also a dedicated student of Master Yu Guo Shun, in Chen Style Tai Chi Chuan. He is a registered physical therapist in the state of New York with over 25 years of experience, and has worked with professional athletes and dancers.

http://nycchentaichi.blogspot.com