AREAS OF STUDY at ZIRAN TAIJI GONGFU
| FORM | QIGONG | PHILOSOPHY & THEORY |
| PUSHHANDS | SELF-DEFENSE | SWORDSMANSHIP |
Taijiquan (T'ai Chi Chuan) is an ancient and powerful Chinese
martial art for self-defense. It is also a complete system of health. The
full practice of Taijiquan includes in depth study and training of a series
of areas. All aspects of the art are interdependent and reinforce eachother.
I. Form : Is
the core of taiji training. Students learn a choreography and in phases apply
the principles of taiji to the form in order to develop proper structure, breathing,
chi circulation, etc, and to develop a base from which their martial and self
defense skills can be derived.
Students who are new to Taijii learn a twenty four step short form in order to build a base of knowledge. More advanced students learn the Yang long form as passed down by Kou Yu Chueng, and Yang Michuan Taijiquan. Taiji weapons forms including dao (saber), Shuang Shou Dao (double handed sabre) jian (straight sword), and spear are studied at our school both as an intergral part of taijiquan training and as part of Chinese Historical Swordsmanship (see below).
The principles of Taijiquan are found in the form. Diligent practice of the form results growth and development. The Taiji Classics describe the principles of Taijiquan. The Classics are the text book for taiji; a compilation of schollarly writings and observations regarding the proper practice of taijiquan as a martial art. The Classics have grown and evolved with the art of taiji over several centuries.
A. Meditation: Form is moving meditation. Sitting, resting, and standing meditation are also practiced.
B. Qi Development: Qi is cultivated in phases during form training and meditation. Qi circulation methods are part of form practice. This becomes an important focus at an appropriate point in taiji training.
C. Applications: All movement in Taijiquan has a wide variety of possible martial applications. Applications concepts should be thoroughly understood in order to properly practice form. The form should be trained mindful of applications and with appropriate martial intent. According to the classics the mind and body should be a state of relaxed awareness like a hawk eying its prey, or a cat waiting for its moment to pounce. This is a significant concept in the practice of form. Many applications are then practiced as a part of self defense training.
II. Qigong: is a system of cultivation and manipulation of qi. It is introduced gradually during the course of one's Taiji training. It is a parallel practice that greatly aids in the ability to use qi in Taijiquan.
III.Philosophy and Theory:Taijiquan as a system of health and self-defense is the product of Taoist philosophy and traditional Chinese medical theory. Taijiquan has a long history of scholarship and its concepts are presented in ancient literature as "The Classics" as well as in contemporary manuals and literature. Philosophy and theory are continually utilized during the course of practice. Students are encouraged to conduct independent research to augment their learning.
IV. Push Hands: Is a traditional two person training excercise in taijiquan used to help practioners "apply and test" the principles of taiji through an exchange of non-percussive forces. Pushhands helps students to improve and correct their structure, root, and ability to listen, stick, follow, etc. This in turn serves as feedback to help them adjust and correct their form. Push hands is not fighting, although many of the skills that it helps students to cultivate are practical for self defense and are applied during sparring and weapons-play. Singlehand, two-hand, moving pushhands, and a variety of integration drills are practiced.
V. Self Defense: We take self-defense seriously. Self defense skills are adressed starting from a basic level so that they can be applied by beginning students. Many of the skills of taiji take many years to master, but it is our belief that students should learn defensive skills from the outset and that the rate of progress and ability can and should be comparable to the level of skills acquired by students at other respectable martial arts schools training in other systems. With this in mind, students are free to progress in their Taiji training. Some areas of study trained in this program include, fajin with percussive blows, chinna, evasion, entry, groundfighting, rolling, and dealing with multiple attackers. See below:
A. Form Applications- repetitive practice of fighting techniques and and combat mechanics developed within the form. Includes strikes, joint techniques, takedowns, combinations, etc.B. Conditioning: for fitness, health and self defense. Taiji practice methods such as form and push hands provide isometric training and helps to improve flexibility, balance, and internal health. additional methods of conditioning such as, taiji ball training using weighted medecine balls, heavy bag work, callisthenics, speed training, ironbody training, sparring, and self-defense drills, etc.provide additional conditioning for the body.
C. Sparring: Free fighting is practiced carefully and using a variety of methods. Sparring is not intended as sport, but as self defense training to aid students to gain confidence in their techniques, and to help build reflexes, fitness, distancing, and timing. We conduct all practice in a controlled environment, while simulating different conditions that might be encountered in real life situations. Examples are: practice of sparring against multiple adversaries, with the objective of strike,escape, and evasion tactics and imbalancing and controlling assailants using methods presented in taiji training. Note: Students are not expected to spar above their level and ability. Full contact sparring is not required of any student.
D. Joint Techniques/ Pressure Points (Chinna) applications and counters in static and non static conditions.
E. Grappling: in close fighting, entry, takedowns, and groundfighting.
F. Rolling/ Falling: practiced systematically on hardwood and outdoors. Concept: start slow, and feel your mistakes. Correct them before adding speed. The hard floor will give instant feedback.
G. Scenarios practice involves taking students out of "standard conditions" and examining possibilites of how to deal with possible self-defense situations under extremely compromising circumstances. It can be anticipated that such circumstances are the time when self-defense skills will most be needed. Mental preparation and awareness of possibilies for self-defense in mixed terrain and under varied circumstances is an essential part of training. Many of the methods in taiji involve, imbalancing an adversary and using their force and aggressiveness to their disadvantage. This is especially valuable in irregular and uncontrolled situations.
VI. Chinese Historical Swordsmanship: This is a discreet program within the school and is open by permission only. Training starts with basic cuts, two person-drills, and progresses into freeplay using ,shuang shou dao (double handed sabre), dao (saber), jian (straight sword) and spear. Swordsmanship is not a sport. While practiciing historical combat methods students have contemporary objectives of cultivating the mind and physical prowess. Swordsmanship will help students to develop proper self-defense instincts in the unfortunate event of being assaulted by someone with a weapon. Students who are not specificially studying in the Chinese Historical Swordsmanship program may periodically be exposed to aspects of weapons play as part of their self-defense study in the course of their training in Taijiquan. Swordsmanship is an advanced practice in Taiji training. A detailed explanation of the Chinese Swordsmanship Program is provided here.
