Chapter 1: Introduction

1-1. General Introduction
The best way of studying a profound scientific subject is through both theory and experiment. Theory is the foundation of the entire study, and it is the theory that generates the principles and rules. These, in turn, lead to the creation of a prototype model for experimentation, which shows whether the theory and principles were accurate as originally stated. After many experiments and experiences, you can then confirm the accuracy of the theory and, if necessary, go back to modify the theory and principles. Again, you construct experiments based on the new modified theory and principles. It might take you many repeated cycles of theoretical research and experimental study before you can finally state your conclusions.
The same principle applies to taijiquan (太極拳). Taiji (太極) is based on the profound Daoist philosophies of yin (陰)/yang (陽), and the bagua (八卦), and it has been refined over more than one thousand years of research, study, and experimentation by many thousands of taijiquan martial artists. Even though a great deal has been passed down through the generations by teaching and writing, many taijiquan masters still feel that they have not learned the complete art. The more they dig, the deeper they feel the theory is. What is sad to see today is that the available knowledge is gradually dying out. Most taijiquan practitioners are more interested in the health aspect of taijiquan, rather than the martial side.
Taijiquan was originally created for martial purposes, and every form has its special martial applications. Many different styles have been created over the years, and although they are based on the same fundamental theory and principles, every style has its own characteristic specialties and applications. For example, a taijiquan style that has large postures might have different techniques and strategy than a style with small postures. However, regardless of the different emphasis, principles such as using the soft against the hard never change.
Learning the martial applications in the taijiquan sequence is just like learning the functions of the equipment in a car. After you have learned the function of everything in the car, you then take it for a drive and try everything out. The same principle is followed in taijiquan. After you have learned the techniques, you must experiment with them.
The taijiquan solo sequence is the foundation of all the martial techniques. Each movement or posture was carefully designed with the most appropriate stance for the intended strategic action, whether defensive or offensive. If you understand the applications and practice conscientiously, you will gain the necessary qi (氣) flow, jing (勁) expression, mental calmness, and—most important of all—sense of enemy. Once you understand taijiquan theory and principles and have mastered these techniques, you will need a partner for practice and experimentation. Pushing hands is the first step in making the applications alive and practical, and also introduces some applications that are not included in the solo sequence. After you have practiced pushing hands for some time, you should start training in a way that is more similar to a real fight. The two-person fighting set was designed for this purpose. It helps you learn how to analyze the situation, strategy, movements, and techniques of a real fight. Finally, you should start free-fighting training.
In this book, the author will discuss only the typical martial applications of the Yang style with large forms and low postures. There are more than 250 techniques in the 37 postures. This means that each posture has an average of six to seven techniques. Chapter 2 will discuss some of the typical applications of each technique known to the author. The deeper and more complicated applications will be omitted due to lack of space, and more importantly the difficulty of conveying the subtleties of the movements with the written word. However, if you study seriously and research carefully, you should be able to use your knowledge of the more basic techniques to discover the deeper levels of application. If the style you have learned is different from the style in this book, you can still use this book to gain ideas to adapt to your own style.
Chapter 3 will introduce the training for the heng (哼) and ha (哈) sounds, and the fundamentals of taiji ball training, which many taijiquan practitioners use to train their sensing and sticking capability. Last, taiji pushing hands will be reviewed. After you have mastered pushing hands, you should go on to the two-person fighting set in chapter 4. The various possible applications will be analyzed. Finally, chapter 5 will summarize the fighting strategy of taijiquan.
Even when you have mastered the techniques in this book, you are still not at the end of your study. In fact, you are only at the beginning of your research into martial applications. How much you learn and how far you progress is up to you. This book offers you the key to the treasure, but it cannot give you the treasure itself. You have to open the gate and step in, and search for the treasure by yourself. You might fail because of discouragement, impatience, or lack of perseverance. You might fall, only to stand up and continue. You might get injured from the thorns on the path. But you must understand that every time you fall, every time you get hurt from the thorns, it is always exactly what you need to gain experience. The more you experiment and the more experience you accumulate, the deeper your understanding of the theory will be. The more you carefully ponder, the clearer your understanding will be.

1-2. Becoming a Proficient Taijiquan Martial Artist

Once you have mastered the basic theory and fundamental techniques, you have reached a level where you are qualified to share and discuss your knowledge with others. You should be capable of teaching someone without too much deviation from the right path. The best way to start your teaching career is to be an assistant instructor for an experienced master for several years. Under his supervision, you will learn how to teach, but most important of all, you will be able to access his experience and pick up the many small points that do so much to fill out your knowledge. After a few years, you should start teaching on your own. Teaching is the best way to learn and become a proficient taijiquan martial artist. Through teaching, you learn how to analyze, how to explain, and how to set up a training schedule. After a few years of doing this, you will be able to create something of value and add to the store of taijiquan knowledge.
It is the urge to teach that has been responsible for taijiquan’s being passed down from generation to generation. A master earns respect from sharing his knowledge with his students. Through his teaching and research, he also gains the friendship of those who share his interest and enthusiasm.
If you are hoping and planning to become a taijiquan master, there are several points that you should always remember:

1. Know the History

History is experience. If you do not know the past, you will be lost in the future. The past gives spiritual stimulation. From the past, you know your source and root. Knowing the history of taijiquan is the obligation of every practitioner who is willing to carry the responsibility of continuing the long tradition of the art.
A desire to know the history of the art indicates enthusiasm and a depth of interest in the art that will lead to profound knowledge. Remember, history is like a mirror that helps you to see yourself. It shows you the right way to the future.

2. Know the Theory and Principles

Every martial style is based on its own theory and principles. Taijiquan has its own unique principles, and if you disobey them, you are no longer doing taijiquan. Fortunately, these theories and principles have been passed down for generations through oral instruction or written documents. In order to be qualified as a taijiquan instructor, you must study all these documents and understand them. They are presented in the book Tai Chi Chuan Martial Power, from YMAA Publication Center, along with commentary.

3. Know What You Are Doing

Once you know the history and principles, you should ask yourself a few questions such as the following: Have I practiced these martial applications long enough so that I can use them naturally whenever necessary? Do I have a good training schedule for my students and myself ? How well do I know what I am doing? All in all, am I qualified to be a taijiquan master?
If your answers to these questions are negative, your teaching may earn you more shame than honor. When your qualifications are limited, you must work to improve yourself and your teaching. Be humble, and keep researching and pondering. Practice and discuss with your taijiquan friends, participate in seminars and workshops, and most important of all, make friends with all taijiquan stylists. Never be afraid to be humble and ask for other people’s ideas and experiences. When you practice, keep digging and plowing, and never be satisfied with what you have already done. Look forward and not behind, and one day, you will harvest more than others. Then you will become a master.

4. Know What Other Instructors Are Doing

In order to become a real master, you need to know not only yourself, but also others. When you understand other styles, you can understand your own style better and evaluate it more objectively. You can evaluate how good it is and where its limitations are. Every style has its own specialties, so if you think some style is not as good as yours, it might just be that your knowledge of that style is still shallow. Also, when you see a style that seems better than yours, don’t give up your style for it. That would be throwing away all the time and effort you have spent on it. After all, once you have invested a lot of time in this new style, you may find that there is nothing beneath the surface glitter that initially attracted you. If you believe that your style and your personal level of ability are superior to others, you must beware of losing your humility, for this may cause you to lose your enthusiasm for learning.
Sometimes you may hear of a martial artist who has studied only ten years but claims to have mastered five or even ten styles. Because it usually takes at least ten years of daily practice to master one style, such a person has probably studied each style only very superficially. Consider carefully whether you want to really master one or two styles, or whether you prefer learning a limited portion of ten or more styles. It is best to pick a style you believe is best for you, and to dig in and really learn it. If you learn one style to its fullest, you will be able to understand other styles more deeply and will be able to add substantial elements from other styles.

5. Know Your Students

Knowing your students is almost as important as knowing yourself. The questions you must ask about each student are as follows: What is his motivation in learning taijiquan? Can I trust this student? Is this student patient and persevering enough to fulfill his goals? If I teach him, will I be wasting my time? When this student has finished learning from me, will he continue his study from other sources? Will he become a good master in the future? Does he have good morality?
You must ask yourself these questions before you invest time and energy in any student. A student must first show interest, enthusiasm, respect, and loyalty. Then he must demonstrate strong w...