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Beginner's Tai Chi meets on
Sunday mornings starting at 11:30am and last one (1) hour.
Below Nepa Jubashen gives a
background and explanation of Tai Chi.
Tai Chi, originally known as Tai Chi Chuan (Supreme Ultimate
System), is a widely practiced but not thoroughly understood art.
Hopefully, I can shed some light for those that are unfamiliar with this
system and even to those that are veteran players. I will speak of Tai Chi
in general and Shu Family Tai Chi in more specific terms. Before I begin,
I will give some personal background, including my Tai Chi Chuan lineage.
I am a certified instructor of the Shu Family Tai Chi Chuan system and
have been studying Tai Chi and Taoism for seven years. I study Taoist arts
such as proper nutrition/health, Chinese medical theory, and Yin/Yang
theory. Tony Zayner, my teacher for the past five years, studied with Dr.
Tao of Taiwan where he lived for twelve years during his course of study.
Dr. Tao's teacher was Cheng Man Ching, originally from Taiwan but more
recently residing in New York. My lineage goes back even further, but I
acknowledge the style and softness of Cheng Man Ching, Dr. Tao and Tony
Zayner. I am also a licensed massage therapist specializing in Asian
bodywork.
Why do I love this art?
It is as Cheng Man Ching (famous Tai Chi teacher) said: "Tai Chi Chuan
is in accord with philosophy and science, for its theory is purely
philosophical and its attitude completely scientific." Practiced
correctly, Tai Chi/Taoist principles will lead you from the philosophy to
the science of this art. If you are not following the principles, you are
not doing Tai Chi Chuan and are not getting the true benefits of this art.
I'm a teacher as well as a student of the Shu (Gentile) Family system
created by my teacher Tony Zayner. Shu Family is unique in that it has the
applications for the entire form (form without function is useless) which
gives true meaning to the art.
Doesn't every teacher teach applications?
I wish they did. Most teachers teach many forms including weapons, push
hands, kung fu, "secret forms", etc. but not applications.
Are
applications really important?
Applications give a much deeper meaning to the form. The apps give
understanding as to why you are doing the postures, because without them,
you are just doing a dance. Another unique aspect of applications is that
in order to do them you must not only know the form (Yin) but be the
"other" person moving the form (Yang). In order for this to work, the form
(Yin) must adhere to principles (softness, yielding, no-force, relax) and
the one moving the form (Yang) must use force (Yang energy). Please note
the only reason we are moving this way and that way while doing the form
is because someone is doing it to us (moving us). As my arm moves out in
single whip, any steps taken, or any movement of the hands are just me
following the one moving me, but I'm relaxed and without fear while doing
so. It's like ballroom dancing where someone, usually a Yang person, takes
the lead. The Yin (partner) just follows along. The same principles apply
in Tai Chi Chaun. Nobody teaches this anywhere.
Sounds like a lot of work!
It is. But a little work gives little results while a lot of work brings
tremendous results. Because of this system you learn and apply the
principles while doing the form by yourself. You can imagine "no-form"
moving you this way and that way, while you yield and follow principles to
gain growth. The Shu Family Tai Chi Chuan is really on a different level
than the "follow the teacher and do as they do, pay your money and leave"
routine. You will gain very little substance this way, and after years of
doing Tai Chi you will find that you have wasted your time. You may know a
lot of forms/styles that will impress people, but true Tai Chi Chuan is
transformation of oneself. That is why Tony always emphasizes to his
students that true Tai Chi Chuan is Transformational rather
than Translational. Because the student adheres to
principle, their health and state of mind improve. True Tai Chi is the
method of cultivation. "Self cultivation is the Tao of long life and
begins with this."
How long will this take?
A lifetime. In Shu Family you learn the Cheng Man Ching 37 posture
form, form applications, the graduate class No-Form/Form, Taoism,
Chinese and Western anatomy, Tai Chi/Taoist principles, and Yin/Yang
theory. The classes are truly about science and wisdom as well as
philosophy. This takes a lifetime of study but again, you get out of the
Tao only what you allow yourself to receive from it. Tai Chi is not done
in class, but throughout our daily lives. This is something you use in
everything you do and say, because the principles are about peace and
doing no harm. This is not done in an hour and a half class, a weekend
seminar or in one year or two or three — this is used a little each day
until a new "you" has grown and you see the oneness of all things.
I thought Tai Chi was a martial art about self defense.
Tai Chi Chuan is about internal self-cultivation. It can also be viewed as
a medical art where we defend ourselves against bacteria, viruses, asthma,
arthritis and heart disease to name a few. It is also self-defense against
accidents such as getting hit by a car or catching something before it
hits the floor. It's not about kicking someone's butt outside, but kicking
our own butts inside. We need to heal ourselves internally to be all
things to all people. Chuang Tzu speaks of this as being in the "Pivot".
It is true that the apps can be used in a self-defense situation, but the
art teaches you to "self-disappear." The best way to avoid conflict
is to not be in conflict. A true practitioner of this art does not go
looking for a fight but tries to remain in the "Tao" where they are
sensitive to the world around them. Being sensitive also means being in
touch with your health and whether or not you are in a state of "dis-ease."
You may find yourself taking a serious look at what you eat, your
lifestyle, habits, the condition of your home, the people you spend time
with, etc. Changing these things along with practicing Tai Chi Chuan will
manifest on a deep level. Again, I must stress, you get out what you put
in, and it is up to each individual to choose what their level of
investment will be.
I wish to close with some words from Tai Chi teacher Cheng Man Ching:
"More than ten years ago a student asked me, Sir, you are a master of
five arts. Which has been the most satisfying to you personally to teach?"
I answered that teaching Tai Chi Chuan was the most enjoyable. Those who
had heard this were very skeptical and asked if it was not a bit unrefined
and brutish. I responded that they did not really understand, and that
Tai Chi Chuan was the essence of the philosophy of life. As for the
achievement of true excellence in Tai Chi Chuan, there is no art more
difficult. Absolutely no ordinary martial art can compare with it."
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