Internal Arts Principles Articles
The histories of Tai Chi Chuan often seem vague and mystical. Many books and internet sites attempt to remove Taijiquan (a modern spelling of T’ai-chi Chüan) from its violent historical roots, preferring instead to clothe the vibrant and colorful Zhang San Feng in the grey robes of the Sage. Such bland suggestions or proclamations, be it accidental or deliberate, should insult the reader. They muddy the reality of Taijiquan.
Motivations, at first, seem kind. People, generally, seem to seek some peace of mind, ease of body, and contentment of spirit. Certainly, in an age of unprecedented, phenomenally technological and barbaric warfare, the desire for local and global peace is necessary and nice. I am merely concerned that deception and lies, both accidental or deliberate, promote neither peace nor understanding. I propose that peace-seekers wage war, and war-mongers seek peace.
Read Mystical History of Tai Chi »
Reflecting on Yang Chen Fu’s Ten Important Points of Tai Chi Chuan
Tai Chi Utah organized its foundation around Yang Chen Fu’s Early Form. Check out Yang Chen Fu’s words in Yang Family Secret Transmissions or in The Essence and Applications of Taijiquan to glimpse the source of the following reflections on the oral instructions from Yang Chen Fu.
1. Lighten Up!
Stop thinking, scheming, believing, strategizing so much. Stop it. Chen Fu’s bit about “the energy at the top of the head should be light and sensitive” recommends lightening up. So relax; lighten up. Your head is built with highly sophisticated sensory equipment. Too much thinking, scheming, believing, strategizing is like filtering, filtering, filtering all such sensory information. Enjoy sight, sound, smell, taste. Lighten up.
