Practising two Tai Chi forms

[Anonymous]

Could you comment on the pros and cons, or implications of practising two (or more) Tai chi forms at the same time.

I am currently doing this having begun to learn your short form while continuing with another Wu style short form. I am especially interested in what is the best way of transferring internal concepts from one to the other. For example, if I become aware of an internal concept in your short form that I am not expressing either fully or at all in my existing form, would it serve me to bring it straight across to the other, or should I practice each separately (or focus on one form) until I reach a certain developmental point. In my own case I do not currently have a local teacher for my existing form, so any development in this form is either that which I have worked out for myself, or inserted concepts from the Tai Chi Mastery Program.

If you recommend practicing exclusively one form for beginners, at what point might that change?
Would you give similar advice for practitioners who wished to do other internal or external martial arts concurrently?

Thanks,
Chris

[Anonymous]

….I’m no expert, but I’m happy to share my experience. I’ve been working with Energy Arts materials for several years (mainly qigong and meditation) and have attended workshops and one retreat with Bruce, and I study with Energy Arts instructors when my schedule permits. I also practice and teach (elementary level) Paul Lam’s ‘Tai Chi for Health’ short forms (and Cheng Man Ching’s short Yang form). Although I’ve been practicing tai chi for decades, I’ve long been aware that I work at a relatively superficial level. My experience of working with Energy Arts materials is that, without conciously ‘transferring’ anything, the various nei gong strands begin to ‘fold’ or ‘soak’ into my other practice. That said, because the Mastery course content is exclusively tai chi, I’m finding all of the learning immediately manifesting in all my tai chi practice. From my perspective, the tai chi forms that I practice are simply different vehicles within which to develop nei gong. To return to your question, I note that your ‘other’ practice is also Wu style, so the relationship between your ‘Mastery’ work and the other Wu form is probably much closer than I experience. If you are relatively new to tai chi, perhaps it would be sensible to just focus on Bruce’s form, however, if your other form in already ‘in your body’ then perhaps carry on with both. Either way respect the 70% rule and enjoy your practice. If you can, try and attend one of the Mastery events. Regarding other martial arts, I used to train hard in judo, aikido and ju jitsu and found they all complemented each other – when I started tai chi I found it enhanced my performance in the other arts. Due to serious injury I’m no longer a ‘martial artist’, but I know high ranking karateka who balance their practice with tai chi (some have gradually transferred to tai chi as they’ve got older).

[Anonymous]

Thanks for that.
Chris

[Anonymous]

Hi Chris.

Like Colin, I’m someone who’s worked primarily at a superficial leve for many years but I’ll add comments on my experience. Colin referred to the different Taijiquan forms as vehicles for developing Neigong. I think that’s a perfect description.

It would make sense to me that this is true. The skills of Neigong must be essentially the same, whether you’re talking about sinking, rooting, distinguishing heavy and light, etc. etc. So internal skills must be similar from style to style. Stylistic differences would come in with issues such as how much emphasis was placed on different specific neigong skills, or with the tactics of application in combat and movement.

I’ve been using a Yang style long form for many years, which has been great for me. I’m taking the material that I”m learning from Bruce and other sources and moving it into my long form and finding marked effects/benefits/improvements in doing so.

From my perspective I see no problem with that but I’m glad you threw the question out there. I’ll be interested to see what input we get from Bruce or his instructors.

Best,

Erich

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