Is the answer hidden away, like an ancient Chinese secret? Or is it in plain sight? See our suggestions for improving your Tai Chi,no matter what level you are at.

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This week, I'm going to answer a question that has been asked of me, and doubtless countless other instructors, for time eternal: How can I improve my Tai Chi?.

This depends on what you have been doing. When the movements have been learned, there are several "after elements" which give your Tai Chi "added value" so to speak.

You need to practice for smoothness. This is one thing I always tell my students, as well as competitors, as I am sometimes a tournament judge. I get to see other teacher's students, as well as my own at tournaments, both those who think smoothness is important and those who do not. If you want to use Tai Chi to change your life, you need to develop smoothness. Pick a speed, preferably at least a 7 minute form speed (for Cheng Man-Ch'ing's Tai Chi), and keep to it, day-in and day-out. When you get your hands moving at that speed, remember your feet, which are probably moving faster than your hands. When the whole body moves at one speed, then you are ready for the challenge of the next level.

Professor was asked about smoothness and evenness. He said it was important. When questioned he said he always was smooth and even. And he was asked, "What about in Four Corners?" ("Fair Lady Weaves Shuttles"), as he appeared to move, stop and then move the opposite way. He said the movement is the same speed coming in and going out, and at the physical pause, the chi is moving at the same speed as before and after.

So becoming aware of the flow of the chi is also important, as well as your surroundings, and the people in them.

Also, is your Tai Chi a moving meditation? This is an important goal in the lifelong practice of Tai Chi, doing it as a moving meditation. Empty your mind, think of nothing. Actively think of nothing (you may want to review my article Tai Chi as Meditation).

As you advance in your practice of thinking of nothing, become increasingly aware of the Tai Chi in your body, as well as, but not limited to, your energy (or chi), the straightness of your spine, the position of your elbows and knees, your smoothness. This is followed by your adding to your attention the details of the room you are in, and the people and animals around you.

Know that you do not always, in fact you rarely, do the form as it can be best done according to your understanding. Beware if you get to that place. If you can not see where you can improve, you are stagnating. I almost always see how I can do it better, how I missed a mark by a degree or two, or my balance can be better rooted in the ground, my evenness or smoothness can be more uniform, or my feet more coordinated with my hands. This is part of the fruit of being aware of the form as you do it. And you will see changes. Maybe not from week to week, or even month to month. But year to year, and decade to decade. You will see improvement as you travel the path of life.

Have a question for me? Ask it at Ask Sifu.

Do you like this week's question? Please pass it on to your friends!

In T'ai Chi,
Bill

William C. Phillips began his study of the martial arts in 1965. He currently holds a 7th degree black belt in Karate, and a 5th degree black belt in Ju Jitsu. He began his studies of Tai Chi in l967, studying with Prof. Cheng Man-Ch'ing from '70-'75. He became the most junior student ever to become a teacher in Cheng Man Ch'ing's New York school, the Shr Jung. Sifu Phillips became interested in the field of holistic health in the early 1970's, when a lifelong allergy problem was alleviated with Chinese herbal medicine. Since then, he has studied widely in that field as well. Sifu Phillips is available for seminars, lectures and demonstrations. He has produced two very successful Tai Chi DVDs, and is currently working on a book on Tai Chi form and a third DVD.For more information...

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