First Year Training Reflections: Yang Tai Chi

D

drewtoby

Orange Belt
Hello MT,

I've been off and on here throughout the years and thought this post would help some folks interested in Tai Chi. I included some of my reflections after training for nearly a year. I'll also come back to this as I continue to learn and grow in the art of "supreme ultimate boxing" - I am very much still a beginner :)

Preface: Tai Chi really is an art for those with patience and dedication. I spent a few months getting moved around in push hands and learning the long form movements before I felt like I was in any kind of "groove," even with daily at-home practice and study on non-class days. I am in a learning groove now, meaning I am starting to understand some of what I am growing into.

Training:
  • Class Routine:
    • Warm Ups
    • Forms
    • Push Hands (Drills, Fixed Step, Moving Step)
  • Home Routine:
    • Form Practice
    • Qi Gong
    • Core and Balance Exercises
    • Solo Drills
    • Stretching
    • Reading
Positives:
  • Tension - It is truly amazing how much physical tension a person can carry and not recognize. Personally, training has helped me get better at recognizing tension and letting it go.
  • Balance - I have noticed an improvement in my balance from practicing both the form, push hands, and zhan zhuang/qigong. I hope I will start to feel some preliminary ability to rotate my Dan Tien (center of gravity) and shifting my weight without muscular movement soon to further build upon this.
  • Breathing - Ties into balance and tension. A book I read, I believe it was Tai Chi for Dummies, mentioned the west is a shallow-breathing society. Qigong has helped me learn to breath deeper, although I still have very much to learn, especially regarding controlling my breath internally.
  • Conditioning - Training does involve conditioning, especially related to being able to hold stances while relaxed. Depending on who you talk to, this means conditioning muscles, tendons, and/or fascia.
  • Sensitivity - I am sometimes (rarely) able to feel where a training partner is tense during push hands and subsequently respond to that information. I am really looking forward to growing here.
Some Things to be Aware of:
  • Tai Chi feels like one of the most divided martial arts in the west. Even within the same style, there is almost no universal understanding beyond basic methodology and terminology.
    • Purpose - Some believe it is only for health, others believe it is health and martial.
    • Qi - This seems like one of the art's most controversial points, but is almost always tied to breathing.
    • Push Hands - Some practitioners hate moving step, others want to expand the rules to be more like Chinese jacket wrestling.
    • Yin/Yang Balance - Some practitioners are more Yin or relaxed, others more Yang and active.
    • Forms - There are many, many varieties of forms out there with different approaches to/understanding of many of the same techniques. What is taught in one school will differ from what is taught in the next school.
  • Smaller talent pool, especially when training for martial purpose.
    • Tai Chi, an art with an obscure image (see above), appears to have a hard time attracting younger practitioners, especially those looking for quick results.
    • There are still very talented individuals in the pool willing to teach and practice.
    • Don't be surprised by smaller class sizes, which you may or may not consider a positive.
  • Break falls are not trained but really should be for those pursuing push hands.
I hope that this is helpful for someone. As with any martial art, what you put in is what you get out and my experiences may differ from yours!
 
drewtoby said:
Hello MT,

I've been off and on here throughout the years and thought this post would help some folks interested in Tai Chi. I included some of my reflections after training for nearly a year. I'll also come back to this as I continue to learn and grow in the art of "supreme ultimate boxing" - I am very much still a beginner :)

Preface: Tai Chi really is an art for those with patience and dedication. I spent a few months getting moved around in push hands and learning the long form movements before I felt like I was in any kind of "groove," even with daily at-home practice and study on non-class days. I am in a learning groove now, meaning I am starting to understand some of what I am growing into.

Training:
  • Class Routine:
    • Warm Ups
    • Forms
    • Push Hands (Drills, Fixed Step, Moving Step)
  • Home Routine:
    • Form Practice
    • Qi Gong
    • Core and Balance Exercises
    • Solo Drills
    • Stretching
    • Reading
Positives:
  • Tension - It is truly amazing how much physical tension a person can carry and not recognize. Personally, training has helped me get better at recognizing tension and letting it go.
  • Balance - I have noticed an improvement in my balance from practicing both the form, push hands, and zhan zhuang/qigong. I hope I will start to feel some preliminary ability to rotate my Dan Tien (center of gravity) and shifting my weight without muscular movement soon to further build upon this.
  • Breathing - Ties into balance and tension. A book I read, I believe it was Tai Chi for Dummies, mentioned the west is a shallow-breathing society. Qigong has helped me learn to breath deeper, although I still have very much to learn, especially regarding controlling my breath internally.
  • Conditioning - Training does involve conditioning, especially related to being able to hold stances while relaxed. Depending on who you talk to, this means conditioning muscles, tendons, and/or fascia.
  • Sensitivity - I am sometimes (rarely) able to feel where a training partner is tense during push hands and subsequently respond to that information. I am really looking forward to growing here.
Some Things to be Aware of:
  • Tai Chi feels like one of the most divided martial arts in the west. Even within the same style, there is almost no universal understanding beyond basic methodology and terminology.
    • Purpose - Some believe it is only for health, others believe it is health and martial.
    • Qi - This seems like one of the art's most controversial points, but is almost always tied to breathing.
    • Push Hands - Some practitioners hate moving step, others want to expand the rules to be more like Chinese jacket wrestling.
    • Yin/Yang Balance - Some practitioners are more Yin or relaxed, others more Yang and active.
    • Forms - There are many, many varieties of forms out there with different approaches to/understanding of many of the same techniques. What is taught in one school will differ from what is taught in the next school.
  • Smaller talent pool, especially when training for martial purpose.
    • Tai Chi, an art with an obscure image (see above), appears to have a hard time attracting younger practitioners, especially those looking for quick results.
    • There are still very talented individuals in the pool willing to teach and practice.
    • Don't be surprised by smaller class sizes, which you may or may not consider a positive.
  • Break falls are not trained but really should be for those pursuing push hands.
I hope that this is helpful for someone. As with any martial art, what you put in is what you get out and my experiences may differ from yours!
Click to expand...
After training 30 years in Yang Taijiquan, i can say you are doing well. Only thing I want to add is I agree with training break falls, there is considerable Shuaijiao in Yang taijiquan posture applications. Also, just so you know, the Wu family in Toronto requires their students to train break falls
 
MakimaSan said:
Taichi is an expression of energy. You can use it for martial purposes if you like, but that's not its immediate purpose. Health is not the immediate purpose either. You grow energy and express is in sync with the Dao.
Qi is real and it doesnt rely on breath at all. People who speak of breath do not feel true energy, definitely do not feel it deeply.
Forms do not matter.
Click to expand...
Well...not exactly.

Taijiquan was and is a martial art, and still is if you are lucky enough to find a good, well trained Shifu.

It is considered an internal martial art due to how it is trained. It became focused on energy and relaxation under Mao Zedong, the martial arts were not allowed under Mao. Although this neutering of taijiquan, and many other CMA styles, began to some extent during the Ming Dynasty. But when Taijiquan got to the west in pretty much became a moving meditation, more like Qigong with the martial arts removed.

However you could still get taijiquan with martial arts and everything else intact if your teacher trained in Hong Kong or Taiwan.

However I will say my shigung, (Teacher's Teacher) when asked about breathing, he tended to respond with "Yes you should" Although what he actually said was more like 是的，你应该 (Shì de, nǐ yīnggāi) or possibly 係嘅，你應該 (hai6 ge3， nei5 jing1goi1) He was a Mandarin speaker teaching in Hong Kong (Cantonese).

Per my shifu, who also did not emphasize breathing, he did say it would eventually, naturally switch to reverse breathing...and it did.

I trained traditional Yang for 30 years also did some Chen, dabbled in Wu and Sun.
 
Xue Sheng said:
Taijiquan was and is a martial art, and still is if you are lucky enough to find a good, well trained Shifu.

It is considered an internal martial art due to how it is trained. It became focused on energy and relaxation under Mao Zedong, the martial arts were not allowed under Mao. Although this neutering of taijiquan, and many other CMA styles, began to some extent during the Ming Dynasty. But when Taijiquan got to the west in pretty much became a moving meditation, more like Qigong with the martial arts removed.

However you could still get taijiquan with martial arts and everything else intact if your teacher trained in Hong Kong or Taiwan.
Click to expand...

Agree with most of what you've posted, 👍
just wanted to share a few observations based on my own experience.


My background allows me to compare those trained in Taiwan with those trained in China during that time period, having studied under teachers from both sides. While it’s true that the Cultural Revolution had a major impact, it’s also true that some with real skill continued to teach—quietly, off the radar. Even after things settled, many chose to remain anonymous—some, like my teacher, seemingly hiding in plain sight.


Among those I’ve met in Taiwan, there’s a consistent respect for teachers with direct ties to China and clear lineage. That connection still carries weight.

In the West, it’s a mixed picture. Many who claim Taiji as a combative system aren’t always recognized by the family styles or others with taiji based skill sets. For many people, “Taiji” still means health-oriented Yang-style practice.


Wang Yongquan, a well-known Yang-style master, often spoke about the need to distinguish between Taiji for health and for combat—the material might be the same, the emphasis and development are different.

Ben Lo, from the CMC line, was fond of saying: “Taiji is a martial art.” He once compared it to learning to shoot a pistol versus learning to shoot a machine gun—same idea, different scale and focus.


Good post, btw Quite interesting ☯️
 
BringBackHimeno said:
Thank you for your post but you are incorrect. Taiji is an internal art. If you believe the external was invented first, then energy added later, this is definitely not what happened. Taiji skill can be used for healing as much as fighting. This is understood once one's energy reaches a certain threshold.
Click to expand...
No, I'm not wrong, but you are entitled to your opinion

also never said anything about what came first

Yes, I know, from what my Yang style shifu said, student of Tung Ying Chieh, who was a student of Yang Chengfu. He beleives that thinking Taijiquan is all you need tor healing is part of why Yang Chengfu died so young
 
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BringBackHimeno said:
What does dantian feel like to you? What does internal energy feel like to you?
Click to expand...
you do realize you are asking questions that no matter the answer..... you would disagree...because there is no one answer, everyone is different...... sorry not biting

Taijiquan was a martial art.
 
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windwalker099 said:
Agree with most of what you've posted, 👍
just wanted to share a few observations based on my own experience.


My background allows me to compare those trained in Taiwan with those trained in China during that time period, having studied under teachers from both sides. While it’s true that the Cultural Revolution had a major impact, it’s also true that some with real skill continued to teach—quietly, off the radar. Even after things settled, many chose to remain anonymous—some, like my teacher, seemingly hiding in plain sight.


Among those I’ve met in Taiwan, there’s a consistent respect for teachers with direct ties to China and clear lineage. That connection still carries weight.

In the West, it’s a mixed picture. Many who claim Taiji as a combative system aren’t always recognized by the family styles or others with taiji based skill sets. For many people, “Taiji” still means health-oriented Yang-style practice.


Wang Yongquan, a well-known Yang-style master, often spoke about the need to distinguish between Taiji for health and for combat—the material might be the same, the emphasis and development are different.

Ben Lo, from the CMC line, was fond of saying: “Taiji is a martial art.” He once compared it to learning to shoot a pistol versus learning to shoot a machine gun—same idea, different scale and focus.


Good post, btw Quite interesting ☯️
Click to expand...

My shigong, also would answer the question, "what was taijiquan for?" He would answer for health, but he was including in that self-defense. That and he (Tung Ying-Chieh) was a big fan of qinna

and thank you for your post, I suspected that their were those teaching off the radar. Kind highlights the reason for the old Chinese saying; "The nail that stands up gets pounded down"
 
Xue Sheng said:
My shigong, also would answer the question, "what was taijiquan for?" He would answer for health, but he was including in that self-defense. That and he (Tung Ying-Chieh) was a big fan of qinna
Click to expand...

Of those I’ve trained with, all considered Taiji primarily a combative art. None taught it strictly as a health practice—though for older practitioners, the health benefits of the movements were well understood.

In my own practice, the focus isn’t on health or fighting per se—it’s on functional usage through embodying the principles the art was built on. What someone uses it for is up to them.

When people are interested in Taiji as a health exercise or Qigong, I often recommend teachers better suited for that approach—my path is a bit different.

As a teenager and young man, I was skeptical of Taiji and its practitioners. I couldn’t see how the things I was being shown would work against someone experienced. It took time and hands-on experience to realize that a different mindset and skillset are involved—one that exploits gaps others may not even sense.

That shift in understanding made it very interesting to me.
So much so, I dropped everything else and follow this path...

It can be physically demanding, depending on focus and intent. Over time—with consistent practice—it builds something unique: a Taiji body and mindset.
 
Kung Fu Wang said:
Partner drills is the center of all MA training.
Click to expand...
IMO this is the only way to develop combat timing, reaction, tactics, feel for changing distances, and of course, experiencing attacks coming at you. Beginners, 1 and 2 step choreographed sparring. Intermediate, 3 step and phased in unscripted attacks:

A: Attack with front kick to groin
B: Defend with low block, counterattack with same hand backfist
A: Defend backfist any method, counter with attack of choice

More advanced students can do 2 counterattacks and use angled footwork. This will nicely lead to freestyle sparring as the next step.

For grab releases, partner is needed to understand effects of practiced release upon the opponent and to experience resistance as well as to detect shortcomings in execution of the release. Also, should the release not work as planned (as there is often an X factor) a method of overcoming the "X" can be practiced.

Possible X factors include:

Opponent too strong
Opponent does not react as expected
Opponent doesn't fall where or the way you expect
You mess up at some point during the release
Opponent is skilled and attempts to counter your release

I cannot imagine an MA class without partner work. The same for tests after the first couple of belts.
 
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isshinryuronin said:
I cannot imagine an MA class without partner work. The same for tests after the first couple of belts.
Click to expand...


🤔.

kind of depends...

There’s skill development — to build the foundation the work depends on.
There are drills — structured to develop that skill.
And there’s limited partner work — to test whether that skill is actually understood.

The type of skill might be very specialized, like learning how to breakfall.
Or, in something like Taiji, it might involve building what’s called the Six Harmonies (六合 / liù hé) among other things.

How long someone stays in that development stage depends on the method and intended outcome.
In some cases, it’s not safe for partner practice without certain basics — like breakfalls.
In others, like Taiji, partner work too early can be counterproductive — because what’s being trained isn’t visible technique, but internal organization.
 
Last edited:
Great point. Honestly, this aspect is missing from my training at this time (the instructor prefers us learning and refining applications though push hand sparring). I've been thinking about looking into JKD or another hybrid or striking art to help supplement this shortcoming.
 
Last edited:
windwalker099 said:
🤔.

kind of depends...

There’s skill development — to build the foundation the work depends on.
There are drills — structured to develop that skill.
And there’s limited partner work — to test whether that skill is actually understood.

The type of skill might be very specialized, like learning how to breakfall.
Or, in something like Taiji, it might involve building what’s called the Six Harmonies (六合 / liù hé) among other things.

How long someone stays in that development stage depends on the method and intended outcome.
In some cases, it’s not safe for partner practice without certain basics — like breakfalls.
In others, like Taiji, partner work too early can be counterproductive — because what’s being trained isn’t visible technique, but internal organization.
Click to expand...
Of course, it goes without saying the type of partner work should be commensurate with the students' basic skill levels. For raw beginners it may be just shadowing the opponent's stepping movements. In the case of grappling, it can be pivoting into the opponent and properly placing the hip without executing the actual throw or simply some type of push hands exercise. In any event, IMO, some sort of partner work should be introduced as soon as it's reasonable. I've had some students who have never been lightly "roughed up" (as in friendly horseplay) and have no experience in body contact, flinching at the slightest provocation. Early structured and supervised partner work can help them overcome this debilitating situation.
 
windwalker099 said:
like Taiji, partner work too early can be counterproductive — because what’s being trained isn’t visible technique, but internal organization.
Click to expand...
Without going through partner training,

- timing,
- opportunity, and
- angle

will have no meaning.

If you don't see the goal, how do you know that you are taking the right path? You should not have blind faith to any teacher in general. How do you know that your Taiji teacher is not a "Taiji for health only" teacher?

My first Taiji teacher when I was 7 was a "Taiji for health only" teacher. He was supposed to be a monk. One day I saw him ate a turtle, I then knew he was a fake monk.

In another thread, people talk about how to counter "finger break" and "Devil's hand shake". If you don't train that in class, when and where will you train that?
 
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