Key Points to TCC Movements

Attitude: Never do T’ai Chi Chih carelessly at anytime. It’s worth doing fully.

Accuracy: Most important in teaching is to see that students move correctly. Show the optimum way to do it (allowing for individual ability level). To become an accredited teacher, attitude AND physical capabilities are necessary.

How to Move: Flowing effortlessly (with the effort of no effort) as though swimming through heavy air. Flowing from tan t’ien…without muscular effort…elbows close to sides…more with wrists. TCC is not a series of arm and leg movements. Be sure the concept of “How to Move” is clear.

Leg Action: After awhile, a lower TCC is preferred. Emphasize (in the side step) that the heel (touches) first and feet remain on the ground, (legs) almost spreading apart. Also emphasize the importance of bending the knees particularly at the end of movement (in resting pose).

Yinning and Yanging: The most common fault is coming to stiff forward or backward knee – the result: bouncing up and down occurs.

Emphasis: Remember all movements where the 60-40% (mental) emphasis/force of no force is applied (e.g. Carry the Ball, Push-Pull, Pulling in the Energy, Taffies).

by Steve Ridley

Stance: Sink down an inch or three and extend your foot – that’s your length of stride. The legs are the leaders. In general, let everything build from the ground up.

Range of Motion: Avoid overcontracting – allow breathing room, and avoid overextending – be mindful of the roundness as yin and yang support each other.

Alignment: Feel suspended from above, how would it be to rely on such support as if seated upright and gliding. Without a break in posture there is continuity in chi flow and circulation.

Present and Counting: Reside here and now in the movements vs. spacing out in repetition. Maintain a fresh minded-conscious approach.

Demonstrate the Way: Show the fullest form possible; students will modify as needed. Advancing is simply a matter of opening more properly. Getting past where we are (security oriented) to find a new depth–whatever that takes.

Graceful Conclusion: Don’t rush the closure, assimilate to build your reserves, resting one-pointed. There is only so much we can do to direct the chi–then it refines us–accelerating self-evolution.