by Chi-hsiu D. Weng, Ph.D., 9th Degree Black Belt, with Mark Wong, 3rd Degree Black Belt
The Grouping of the 13 Units of Tai-chi Techniques
Keywords: Movement patterns, drills, applications, moving meditation, cross-training, and integrity.
Methods for the Task:
As stated earlier, the grouping of the thirteen units of essential techniques in the Tai-chi Monkey Story resulted in four categories.
a) Stress Reduction/Relaxation
b) Flexibility, Balance, and Coordination
c) Work-related Discomfort and Rehabilitation, and,
d) Fitness and Self-Defense
I will attempt to explain each of these groups, which has its own emphasized objectives along with its series of drills and applications as they relate to the teaching of the Thirteen units of essential techniques.
Stress Reduction/Relaxation
Group 1: For Stress Reduction, Focus, Alignment and Practice of the Three Internal Combinations (I, Chi, and Li) Attention, breathing and force, as well as the two groups of the Three External Combinations (foot, knee, elbow, and heel, hip, shoulder). The content of units of Tai-chi techniques includes is but not limited to:
- Waving Hand Like Clouds Drifting By
- Brush Knee and Twist Steps
- Embrace Tiger Back to the Mountain
Explanation:
The related stances from these three techniques are the Horse stance, the Bow and arrow stance, and the Empty stance, as well as the transitions between them. They are the most often applied postures in Wushu form. When a beginner starts with the Horse Stance using the movement of the Three Circles of Chi-kung Posture the initial training of centering the joint effort of "I" (pronounced Yee) or Attention, "Chi" (pronounced Chee) or Breathing, and "Li" (pronounced Lee) or Force. The Three circles of Chi-kung are also known as "The Three Internal Combinations" assuring the benefit of utilizing the body and mind as one unit while conducting waist movements in order to achieve a harmonious action. Transitions of the different techniques that conduct circular motion from the feet through the whole body and express in the arms comply with the requirement of the "Three External Combinations." By coordinating the process of Internal and External Combinations the results include regulating the alignment of the body, stability, continuity and balance of the techniques that illustrate the principles of Tai-chi. General health including stress reduction can be obtained by regularly practicing these rather simple and relaxed exercises.
Breathing:
As far as moving meditation goes the method of the breathing in Tai-chi movement follows a few guidelines: 1) To breathe in while raising up and expanding out, to breathe out while sinking (lowering) down and crouching in; 2) To comply with the dominating harmonious factor while the two opposing flows of energy conflict with each other; 3) To make adjustment for fitting in the design of the transition of movement which is fulfilling certain needs. Upon following these guidelines there is another common ground also referred to as the Alignment of the three "Tan-tiens" explained as the upper, middle and lower "Points of Chi." When you appropriately combine the structure of the body movements in accordance with the Three External Combinations and the Three Internal Combinations then you can consider it being done correctly.
Self Defense Applications:
All the Unit Movement Patterns were divided into two major approaching entries: Inside the gate (Between the opponent's arms) and outside the gate (Outside the opponent's arms). The two arms are like the gates that are closed in defense and open for entering. In addition to this variable there are three more: the Distance (far, middle and close range), Height (above the neck, between the neck and waist, below the waist) and Response to the Countering Techniques. Examples were shown in the two-volume set of "The Essence of Practical Tai-chi" videotapes. The many variations of self-defense techniques are more than one hundred. It is not difficult to learn all of them with the framework designed here, but it would not be realistic to try to master all of them. A few of these techniques may be selected after understanding the main stream of these countering techniques.
Drills:
For developing the necessary sensitivity, timing, coordination and control in the countering techniques, certain series of drills were designed in this Tai-chi Monkey's Methods. Usually each Unit Movement will begin with solo stationery movements, and later in pair stationery movements. The countering techniques would be added progressively according to the skill level, while simultaneously the elements of speed, force and strategy will also be gradually adopted. When the countering of the techniques is presented in a smooth and strictly controlled manner the result must be from the true realization of the main principles of Tai-chi: Non-resistance, Following, Returning, Cycling, Continuity, Polarity, and Balance. The practical Tai-chi application will thus reveal its graceful and effective purposes.
When training with the Tai-chi Chuan exercises for the self-defense or fitness purposes, the breathing patterns will be modified into their respective purposes. In most cases, a beginner would be better off leaving the complexity of breathing method to mastering of the application techniques of movements and understanding the meaning of each transition. By that time a great integrity of coordination of the whole body and mind will manifest a healthy exercise of self-defense with an artistic performance quality as a by-product.
Although the grouping divides the thirteen units in this Tai-chi Monkey Story into separated content of techniques it is actually reinforcing the many common principles and similar methods. The benefits that are emphasized in different groups also exist in most of other counter-parts. If you refer and use the whole poster of "The Essence of Practical Tai-chi" as a nutrition chart, then each unit technique could be compared to as the different vitamin. The grouping of the techniques could be considered as the prescription of vitamins needed for particular symptom. By the same token, the "Story of the Tai-chi Monkey" is just a formula for the student to memorize the 13 techniques quickly and easily. This can be similar to the Five-Minute Management for everybody interested in learning Tai-chi.
