One Size Fits All

The universality of the T’ai Chi Chih practice is seen in various countries around the world. No matter what physical limitations, as in individuals who are wheelchair bound, or age, or individual size or shape, the one common element in the TCC form is the six principles of movement. When these are applied, the Chi will circulate and balance. These are ancient Chinese principles, applied with new understanding in the form Justin originated. This new understanding happens when they are embodied, and the evolution of the individual is stepped up. We begin to know who and what we are.

How good it is to have the introduction to Justin’s DVD available on the web: T’ai Chi Chih Principles – YouTube. A good project would be to ask students to make a list of the points in Justin’s teaching.

As one opens to this page, to the right of Justin’s instructions are listed a variety of teachers, and names for the movements. A few weeks ago a teacher wrote with some concern for her students who have been checking out movements on the Internet. Her concern focused on the variations of form that are posted. One such person is Travis Enerix. He demonstrates “Princess of the Mountain” and “Princess in the Valley.” What Travis is demonstrating is a very Yang form of what he calls T’ai Chi Chih, and he goes onto teach other movements.

I personally hope that teachers will challenge their students to watch these and bring their observations back to class for discussion. Or focus could be given to the principles outlined in Justin’s Introduction, and what is or is not applied in this YouTube demonstration. Engaging your beyond beginner or advanced students to develop a critical eye in this way will help them focus in a deeper way in their own practice. Inner awareness, as Justin would say, is the root of TCC (Spiritual Odyssey, p. 29).

Beginning students searching for additional information may come across “T’ai Chi Chih Everywhere,” by accredited teacher Chris Norkus. Chris has attended conference and local programs that have been offered by myself and the trainers. This site contains information that supports the teaching process. A teacher could assign students to watch a particular movement and then discuss it in class. What did they notice? What questions may they have about the presentation?

This too will help students to mature in their understanding of the form based on the principles of movement. Of course this is a very different way to study TCC, but it will give a well-rounded view and have the student grounded in the essence of the form. Students will begin to point out discrepancies between principles and what they saw. In this way it can be used as a good teaching tool without going to the level of mere criticism, similar to partner practice. If we can see the form in another, both positive and negative aspects, we are more likely to self-correct.

Students will often give feedback, or ask questions about how TCC is presented by various teaching DVDs, or about how teachers are moving. They are developing their ability to see beyond the mechanics of the movement and to be able to see/feel when and how the principles are or are not being incorporated and applied to the form.

When given these opportunities throughout the various levels of their training, teacher candidates will come to intensives and teacher accreditation better prepared than those of us who went through training 10, 20, 30 years ago. Future teachers are going to teacher accreditation with a deeper understanding of the form and better at performing the movements.

It cannot be stated enough, that we are all at different levels of softness and embodying the effort of no effort in our practice but as we come to understand how to move in applying the principles our form will change and blossom and become even softer and flow without effort.

One word of caution in using any site or DVD is that with a more mature practitioner, the form is embedded in the presentation, and doesn’t grow with the person performing and evolving in the movements. We know that the TCC movement is a life-long practice that will continue to change as we change, and that is a good thing. Just be aware of the benefits and limitations of using these materials. Allow your practice and that of your students to mature and deepen focused on the principles of movement, which may be found in Justin’s writings.

Ah, another project: List as many principles as possible, using the sources; maybe even have students demonstrate a movement based on what they discovered.

The idea that we are all at different points in our evolution with our TCC practice is important to understand and helps us be more accepting and less judgmental of each other, which translates into a spiritual benefit.

As Justin said, “Awareness is the root of TCC, which is essentially inner-oriented.”