Tai Chi and Qigong (Chi Kung)
The most well known type of Tai Chi is the solo form - a series of movements joined together into a flowing "dance" . However the forms can vary in a number of ways, such as they can be carried out either with empty hands or with a weapons, such as the sword; there are two person forms which use the moves in a fighting context in a choreographed routine, or in a free style. There is also T' ui Shou (push hands), which is the application of Tai Chi against a partner and Ta Lu (great pulling).
Tai Chi Solo Forms. There are various schools or 'styles' of Tai Chi: Chen, Yang, Wu and Sun styles. The Peking Style is a modern shorter 24-element style commissioned by the Chinese Government who recognised the benefits of Tai Chi, and is made up of elements of the other styles, so that its workers could practice every morning without taking up too much time. The Yang style, the most practised school, is made of two sub-styles- the long form and the short form, and was first developed in the 1800's by Yang Lu Chan. His grandson, Yang Chen Fu, standardised this style and made it popular in China the early 1900's. (Mark Allen, www.taichido.com) The forms can be carried out solo or as a choreographed routine with a number of people and can be anything from a few positions up to 240 (which takes about half an hour to do!).
Push Hands (T' ui Shou). This form of Tai Chi teaches the students to be relaxed when faced with an opponent, showing the double edge of the martial art, the retreat and the advance, the push and pull (the yin and yang). It also teaches sensitivity, awareness of both the student' s own body and that of their opponent s and control; of not over-extending and of not attacking when a retreat would be more appropriate. Push Hands can be practiced stationary or walking and can be practiced with either arm and with both. (Tai Chi Chuan, D.Lee). Push hands utilises some of the original 8 postures (created by Chang-San Feng), the ward off, rollback, push and press (Tai Chi, L.Galante)
Ta Lu (Great Pulling) Ta Lu is the next step after Push Hands and uses all 8 of the original Chang-San Feng postures. It is carried out as a set of exercises choreographed for two people. The postures are combined with multidirectional stepping, attacks, neutralising and counter attacks. It can also be carried out free style, where the moves are used spontaneously. (Tai Chi, L. Galante)
Weapons Forms. The use of weapons allows the student to learn how to extend their energy into the object they are holding. Whilst practicing the weapons forms the same principles apply as to the solo forms, these include; relaxation, coordination, unity of movement, being centred and extending Chi. Some of the weapons used in Tai Chi are the sword, staff and big knife (single edged sword). Each weapon has special relevance to the five elements and will teach the practitioner a unique facet of extending the Chi. (Tai Chi, L. Galante)
Two Person Form. This form consists of a series of choreographed fighting movements for two people. It utilises movements from the solo forms, push hands, Ta Lu and the original postures of Chang-San Feng. The routine is practiced over and over, allowing each student to practice attacks and neutralisations until it can be achieved with expert precision and speed. This form is invaluable for learning the self-defence aspect of Tai Chi.
Free Hands. After all the other forms have been mastered the student may then choose to start to ad-lib Push Hands situations to simulate sparring and real fighting situations. The aim is to try and defend against any attacks encountered without sacrificing the basic Tai Chi principles. (Tai Chi, L.Galante)
