The Misconception
The general idea of Taiji is that it is a wellness exercise and something that a retired old, unsportsmanlike man can teach and practice. Unfortunately, this out-of-shape image prevents people from working hard because they think you must know Taiji and life will improve. In addition, many unskilled people are working hard to give the Taiji art a relaxation and wellness image. So, instead of learning any weird promising styles, take the time and read this post to get a perspective on Taiji.
What is Taiji
Taiji is the harmonization of Yin and Yang. The control of internal coordination with relaxation and strength. The opposing poles of physical and mental posture are united in Taiji. Taiji consists of very intense and efficient movements that can quickly damage the body if done incorrectly. A misconception of Taiji can also increase the practitioner’s restlessness. Taiji is original of Daoist origin. As a Sanfengpai Academy, we embody the teachings of Zhang Sanfeng, the legendary founder of Taiji.
Making the Impossible Possible
It should be apparent to the practitioner why one should practice Taiji. First, to gain complete control over oneself, one has to overcome many obstacles and cultivate this practice for a long time. There are no shortcuts. Why is my body shaking in this position? Why don’t I come down so deep? Why don’t I have the strength to hold this? Why am I out of breath? Rome wasn’t built in a day to do things that one could not previously imagine. Then, there is the traditional Taiji training method that brings everyone there with confidence.
The Three Phases of Learning Taiji
Learning taiji should be a natural process, not something unnatural that the body is forced to do. Traditionally, students in Wudang learn without aids, so there is no placebo effect that many in the West suffer from (breathe now and feel the energy …). Instead of suggesting what to feel, the traditional student focuses on himself. Body and mind have to be trained and recognized to understand the force you are working with.
Gong Fu Practice
First, the body needs to be trained. This includes traditional posture training. Gong Fu gives the body the strength it needs to stay calm and still. Unfortunately, Gong Fu training is often overlooked because people think it is just for young people.
Stretching
Becoming flexible is essential to have less resistance in the body. Stretching will also stimulate a relaxed mindset. Every traditional Taiji school in China goes through intense stretching routines.
Qi Gong Practice
At last, Qi Gong is also one of the main routines that are very important for learning Taiji. Qi Gong will teach the practitioner breathing and straight posture; without it, the gravity center would always be off, and you could never harmonize the body in Taiji movements.
The Training Methods
In the Wudang Sanfengpai, we have a safe routine for everyone to learn that will teach the student the necessary strength and positions required for beginners.Our school has a stretching course for beginners. Course will give you a good and steady perspective of a working stretching routine for Taiji practice.Zhan Zhuang is important to understand the internal side of Taiji. Therefore, it is recommended that students prioritize training methods in the same way as ordered here in this blog post. For beginners, Zhan Zhuang is good after Gong Fu and flexibility training.
