When we practice Tai Chi, we have different understandings of Tai Chi because of our different goals. It is a consensus among Tai Chi friends that we need to work hard to practice, but there are big differences in where to put the effort. In daily practice, we should pay attention to the following two points:
1, Abandon more and seek less, and strive for excellence
This requires us to work hard on subtraction, change the direction of our practice, from blindly pursuing quantity to focusing on improving quality; from working hard on the word “more” to working hard on the word “fine”. After learning a set of Tai Chi, we must practice quietly and not be greedy.
2, Practice internal strength and consolidate the foundation
Tai Chi focuses on “internal practice”. Tai Chi internal strength includes internal intention, internal qi and internal force. “When the intention comes, the qi comes, and the force comes”. Internal intention is the condition, internal qi is the center, and internal force is the result. The combination of the three produces “internal strength”. The strength of internal strength is the main criterion for measuring the quality of movements, and it is also the foundation of Tai Chi fitness and the driving force of fighting. Practicing Wuji Zhuanggong is to cultivate the internal Qi of the Dantian. With the internal Qi of the Dantian, you have the capital to practice Tai Chi.
In order to spend the least time and achieve better results, we must put Tai Chi Kung Fu into the following five aspects:
1, insist on practicing basic skills
Basic skills are the basis for improving the quality of movements. Without solid basic skills, everything is empty talk. Basic skills must be practiced every day and practiced hard. “Kung Fu is practiced”. More practice is always the fundamental way to improve the quality of boxing.
2, relaxation
Relaxation is the most prominent feature of Tai Chi and an important condition for improving the quality of movements. Without relaxation, there is no internal strength. Internal strength is the internal force generated in a relaxed state.
3, calm the mind and use intention
Using intention is another important factor in Tai Chi, and it is also another important condition for generating internal strength and improving the quality of movements. Among the three elements of internal strength, “intention” is the first. “When the intention comes, the qi comes.” The intention is the forerunner of qi, and there can be qi only if there is intention. “Intention” is thought, consciousness, and attention. “Using intention” is to command and control every movement with the intention. “First the mind, then the body”, you should do whatever you want. The intention should always accompany every action, and it should not become a spontaneous action without purpose. “Intention” requires mental concentration and concentration, which requires “calmness of mind”. All distractions and interferences should be eliminated, the brain should be completely calm, the mind should be focused on the action and intention, this is “adjusting the mind”.
Whether one is focused or not is also reflected in the eyes. If the eyes are scattered, it means that the mind is not focused, and if the eyes are dull, it means that the mind is too focused. The eyes should be focused and agile, and look forward through the main hand. If the mind is distracted, the eyes will be scattered, and the spirit will disappear. Here is a word for friends, when the moves are familiar, the mind will naturally be calm, and only by practicing more can the internal strength be generated. Of course, it is not a brute practice, but to relax the body, practice lightly, softly, evenly and slowly.
Remember to practice slowly. If you want to use Tai Chi to fight, take out some movements for fast practice. You should have the idea that you are still too slow to hit, like the willow combing branches when practicing Yunshou softly, lightning when practicing fast, light practice like leaves, heavy practice like iron. What kind of thoughts you use to practice Tai Chi will determine what kind of Tai Chi you will have. Your consciousness determines the effect of your practice. How quiet your mind is, how deep your Tai Chi skills will be. Because extreme quietness gives birth to liveliness, and extreme movement gives birth to quietness, they are mutually transformed. No wonder some people call Tai Chi the Yin-Yang Fist, just look at the Tai Chi diagram and you will know.
4, strictly follow the essentials to standardize the movements
This is “adjusting the shape”. There must be an outside with the inside, the outside leads the inside, the inside leads the outside, and the inside and the outside are combined. Correct external movements are the basic conditions to ensure the quality of the movements. Therefore, Tai Chi emphasizes “internal strength”, but it is by no means to ignore the external shape. The route, direction, angle, position and running method of each movement in Tai Chi have clear requirements and are unique. Therefore, when you start learning Tai Chi, you should find a good teacher to guide you. This way you won’t take detours.
5, it varies from person to person, and you should stop when you are satisfied
According to your own physical strength and time, just practice enough. The amount of exercise should be based on being energetic, not tired, and not sleepy. As for the movements, there are only differences in complexity and difficulty, but no distinction between good and bad. You can practice any school or any routine. If you learn too much, it is easy to get confused. If you don’t practice often, it is easy to forget, which will distract your attention and affect your level.
In short, when we practice Tai Chi Kung Fu, the most important thing is to focus on improving the quality and work harder on “fineness”. Movement is a carrier and a means, “internal strength” is the foundation, and strengthening the body is the goal.