Introduction
If there is a Yang Style of Tai Chi Chuan is there also a Yin Style?
If you are living a Western lifestyle, rather than an Oriental lifestyle and if you do not understand or believe in Internal Energy, can you still get the benefits of Internal Energy?
How much practice do you need to do each day to gain any benefits from Tai Chi Chuan?
If you only have a small room in which to practise the form, does it matter if you need to keep moving and breaking up the form?
How fit do you need to be to do Tai Chi Chuan?
How useful is Tai Chi Chuan as a self-defence?
How long would you need to practice Tai Chi Chuan before you could feel confident that you could use it in a self-defence situation?
Is Tai Chi Chuan of any benefit to women?
What is Chi?
Could you explain Internal Energy and the health benefits of it? And how does Tai Chi Chuan strengthen and/or increase that energy?
Are there any belts in Tai Chi Chuan and if not why not?
How does Master Hamlin feel the Yang Style he teaches compares with other styles of Tai Chi Chuan in consideration of the health and martial applications?
What is the most advantageous frame of mind to be to be in when practicing Tai Chi Chuan?
I have heard that when I practice the Form it is best to visualise an opponent in front of me. is this correct?
Does a person have a talent/gift/natural ability for Tai Chi Chuan or can anyone become proficient?
Are there any techniques in the form that can be utilized if you are a defendant on the ground?
Is it a complete fighting system?
Is there a syllabus that is followed?
Why is Tai Chi Chuan performed so slowly?
How can Tai Chi Chuan be slow and a martial art?
Is there a fast Form?
How do I know as a beginner whether a particular master is a good master or determine a good teacher from a bad one?
Why are there different styles of Tai Chi Chuan what distinguishes them and are there any advantages to different styles?
If you are a beginner do you have to wear a uniform?
Why do students bow at the beginning of their class?
Does Tai Chi Chuan make you fit and strong?
Are Tai Chi, Taiji, Tai Chi Chuan, T'ai Chi Ch'uan and Taijiquan or Taiji Quan different martial arts?
Is Tai Chi Chuan good for older people?
What do you think about schools that teach Kung Fu and Tai Chi Chuan, will this help?
Is there any advantage or benefit in going to see other teachers?
Is Tai Chi Chuan a spiritual practice, religion or meditation practice?
Are there any belts in Tai Chi Chuan?
If I have studied Tai Chi before and then change schools would I need to start at the beginning again?
What is the difference between the long and the short Form and which is best to do?
What are the similarities between Tai Chi Chuan and Yoga?
What is the ‘step’ reference in context with Tai Chi Chuan e.g. 59 step form?
Is Tai Chi Chuan suitable for children?
What about competition in Tai Chi Chuan?
What is Chi Qigong and Qi Gong are they the same and and what are the benefits?
What is pushing hands and what purpose does it play in Tai Chi Chuan?
How important is daily practice and Should I force myself to follow a daily routine as a form of discipline?
How important is individual feedback to progress or does progress not exist?
Is Tai Chi Chuan a contact sport?
Is any form of reading recommended?
How does one maintain the motivation and staying power to practice day in and day out?
What is it about Tai Chi Chuan teaching methods that enable students to develop the staying power and ability to overcome psychosomatic blocks?
Can Tai Chi Chuan be used to help lower blood pressure and heart rate?
Is there an upper age limit?
Do women have an equal opportunity to develop and excel in two person routines if they are working with men?
Can Tai Chi Chuan or Chi Kung improve social behaviour and could
it be used as a method to improve on today’s anti-social behaviour?
Would I expect to be put in the a different class and treated differently because I am an older student and a woman?
Would Tai Chi Chuan help me to become more flexible?
Can Tai Chi Chuan help me to improve concentration and mental agility?
I drink and smoke will I still be able to do Tai Chi?
Some courses offer me a chance to teach after a few years of learning, but neither Master Hamlin's School or the NTCCA seem to offer this. Can you explain why you do not offer this?
I am worried I may get injured when practising Tai Chi, is there any risk of this?
I belong to a different school but wonder if you can explain why it is that I seem to train as hard as some of my classmates but they seem to progress more than I do. Do you have an answer?
Q. If there is a Yang Style of Tai Chi Chuan is there also a Yin Style?
A. Tai Chi Chuan, by its own self-defined parameters must include both yin and yang elements and
work with the natural relationships between these elements. Furthermore, it would be impossible to isolate one element like Yin from the system and to then teach this aspect in isolation and it would be wrong thinking to try to teach or learn Tai Chi Chuan with this frame of mind. This would only lead to imbalances within the mind and body, a lack of understanding of the true nature of Tai Chi Chuan and a failure to release the full potential for healing, application and self defence that this art possesses when practised correctly.
The name YANG style Tai Chi Chuan comes from the family name YEUNG rather than from Yang as in ‘Yin’ and ‘Yang.’ The popular phonetic spelling of this family name is YANG.
There are people practising Tai Chi Chuan today who possess the family name of Yin and so over time
there may evolve an accepted Yin style of Tai Chi Chuan. However this would still be a family name
of the style rather than a description of the qualities of the style itself.
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Q. If you are living a Western lifestyle, rather than an Oriental lifestyle and if you do not
understand or believe in Internal Energy, can you still get the benefits of Internal Energy?
A. Yes, Tai Chi Chuan is not restricted to race, religion, culture or lifestyle [see Tai Chi
Chuan - Overview] and continues to work on your body and mind weather you believe in it or
not. However part of the work in Tai Chi Chuan involves becoming sensitive and aware of the Chi so at
some point, if you persevere with your studies, you will arrive at an understanding. Belief usually
develops naturally from understanding. A lot depends on the individual and their ability to accept
new things and new ways to look at things. I have found that once the higher aspects of Tai Chi
Chuan have been demonstrated my students find it hard not to believe that Tai Chi Chuan offers an
exciting journey into these new and uncharted waters of the body’s energy systems.
Whilst you are working with your studies of Tai Chi Chuan, your Chi is slowly developing even though
you may not be aware of it.
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Q. How much practice do you need to do each day to gain any benefits from Tai Chi Chuan?
A. You can only do what you have time for and to force yourself to do more, when you are in a hurry or stretched in other directions is counterproductive. Most people can find 20 minutes to half an hour a day to fit insome practice. This would produce enormous benefits but obviously, the more you do the more your results will be, providing you integrate the form corrections that you learn into your Form.
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Q. If you only have a small room in which to practise the form, does it matter if you need to keep
moving and breaking up the form?
A. Tai Chi Chuan does take up space, but stopping and starting is not too damaging and you will
still get good results. Try though to negotiate with your local school, religious centre or the
proprietors of any large buildings they may be happy for you to use their facility first thing in
the morning before they arrive.
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Q. How fit do you need to be to do Tai Chi Chuan?
A. Fitness is not an issue – if you can move then you can start on your Tai Chi Chuan
journey, You will obtain a natural increase in fitness as your body balances itself from working through the Tai Chi Chuan Form
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Q. How useful is Tai Chi Chuan as a self-defence?
A. See the sections: History and Tai Chi Chuan Overview on this web site.
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Q. How long would you need to practice Tai Chi Chuan before you could feel confident that you
could use it in a self-defence situation?
A. Feeling “confident to use it” as a self defence is a loaded statement and indicates an incorrect
mind set. To use Tai Chi Chuan would imply a deliberate use of technique. This is not how Tai Chi
Chuan works. Furthermore this statement suggests some degree of gravitation towards a conflict
situation which any good master should steer you away from.
Avoid problem areas and avoid conflict situations wherever you can – street fighting is dangerous and
questionable within the law.
Having said this, enjoy your studies of Tai Chi Chuan your view and perception of self-defence will
change over the years your responses will become more sensitive, more instinctive and more natural
and will enter in everything you do. As I said elsewhere in this web site, one’s worst enemy is
oneself – you will need to deal with that adversary in the right way first!
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Q. Is Tai Chi Chuan of any benefit to women?
A. Absolutely - see the section in Policies and Recommendations
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Q. What is Chi?
A. A lot has been written on this subject and will continue to be written I am sure. In general, the term Chi (Qi) refers to the combined energies that are generated, nourished and contained within the living body af all living things. Chi can only be learned about through direct experience of it and is best discovered over a lifetime of study of the art of Tai Chi Chuan.
Tai Chi Chuan works directly with this energy by working with the Form and in its many diverse applications whilst progess is determined by the reduction of the Blocking and Wasting of this energy during your movements.
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Q. Could you explain Internal Energy and the health benefits of it? And how does Tai Chi Chuan strengthen and/or increase that energy?
A. Please refer to the section Tai Chi Chuan Overview
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Q. Are there any belts in Tai Chi Chuan and if not why not?
A. Please refer to the Section: Essays and Articles
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Q. How does Master Hamlin feel the Yang Style he teaches compares with other styles of Tai Chi
Chuan, in consideration of the health and martial applications?
A. There are many styles of Tai Chi Chuan just as there are many styles of martial arts and many
healing systems. These different systems represent the life’s work of masters that have dedicated
themselves to their subject and who have contributed much to it, and on this point alone, each of
these systems deserve to be considered with the utmost respect.
I chose to devote my time and energy (to date the last 23 plus years) to the Original Yang Style Tai
Chi Chuan because of the enormous inspiration I gained from my master. Naturally, I believe
this is the best system, I would not have spent and continue to spend this much time on it otherwise!
It is the best system - for me - and this is possibly the only true yardstick anyone can apply. This
is why there are so many systems that have evolved, to suit the many different types of personalities
that exist and the many different approaches and understandings - and this diversity must continue
to exist for the benefit of all.
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Q. What is the most advantageous frame of mind to be to be in when practicing Tai Chi Chuan?
A. When discussing frame of mind one must consider there are many aspects of the being – most of
them beneath the conscious threshold and therefore cannot be controlled directly.
When considering one’s deliberate activity I recommend that the student of Tai Chi Chuan should have
as least busy a mind a possible, concentrating just on the lesson at hand which will instruct the
student where to direct the mind.
Please refer also to the section Essays and Articles: Education and Learning - A Tai Chi Chuan Perspective
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Q. I have heard that when I practice the Form it is best to visualise an opponent in front of me.
is this correct?
A. Definitely not. This is counterproductive to some of the important fundamental principles that
Tai Chi Chuan is built upon. Stay with the body and concentrate on the lesson at hand, this is all you need to do.
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Q. Does a person have a talent/gift/natural ability for Tai Chi Chuan or can anyone become
proficient?
A. Some people are more physically dextrous and may find the early challenges easier to work with,
whereas other students may find them physically difficult. Difficult, but not impossible. Working
through these difficulties are part of the learning process and part of the Tao of the individual
student.
Tai Chi Chuan presents challenges at all levels of the being and it will be a certainty that the
student who may not have a natural flair for physical movement may well find other aspects of Tai
Chi Chuan more easy to perform - skills that the more physically dextrous student may find very
difficult.
Anyone, therefore, who puts the work in and does serious study of this art will be able to continue
to improve their Tai Chi Chuan.
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Q. Are there any techniques in the form that can be utilized if you are a defendant on the
ground?
A. First a word on the use of the word "technique" – Tai Chi Chuan does not work with technique.
Technique is a term best suited to the External systems. Tai Chi Chuan works in a uniquely
different way working with the Internal system.
If one has reached a high enough level of development in Tai Chi Chuan, the Chi can be transmitted
in all directions from any part of the body if you are in contact with the ground. However, I must
stress that this is at an advanced level, first the student needs to become proficient on two feet,
then one foot.
To my knowledge the Yang family did not need this since they were so
good remaining upright. Being 'on the floor' was never an option!
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Q. Is it a complete fighting system?
A. All martial arts are complete self-defence systems within their own right and Tai Chi Chuan
is no exception. Tai Chi Chuan, however is a complete system for martial art, healing and
meditation.
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Q. Is there a syllabus that is followed in Tai Chi Chuan?
A. 'Syllabus' is a Western educational term which implies a more rigid, standardised and
uniform course that would be followed and then examined. This type of educational method also
presupposes that the student would receive advanced information on the subject.
This system may work under some conditions, perhaps with purely information based education,
although this method alone is not appropriate within schools that are dedicated to developing
all of the faculties of their students - children and adults alike [See the essay Education and Learning - A Tai Chi Chuan Perspective].
This method of teaching does not apply to Tai Chi Chuan and is not only inappropriate but is counterproductive to the teaching of Tai Chi Chuan and the traditional methods it employs.
Methods that are more commonly found in Oriental martial arts and in particular, the method of teaching of the Original Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan.
The Original Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan does have a programme which follows its own methods of
transition between its elements and tests which are introduced at appropriate times. For more
information I suggest you refer to Master Hamlin School of Original Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan website
where there are a few pages dedicated to the Original Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan teaching
programme.
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Q. Why is Tai Chi Chuan performed so slowly?
A. Everything these days is performed so fast in what is essentially a goal oriented society.
Apart from material benefits, very little can be shown to support this approach as a sole way of
moving through ones personal life journey (Tao) [See Section: Taoism and its Connection to Tai Chi Chuan].
The adage: The journey is more important than the destination has never been more important
and as relevant as when applied to Tai Chi Chuan.
Moving slowly in a continuous manner allows the practitioner of Tai Chi Chuan to take time to
study the movements and postures of the Form more closely and offers the optimum
conditions to achieve a higher quality in the movements.
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Q. How can Tai Chi Chuan be slow and a martial art?
A. One first has to define martial art, see Tai Chi Chuan Overview for a more detailed
answer on this point.
In this reply, I assume you mean self defence at a physical level. Tai Chi Chuan is practised
slowly so that each of the movements and postures of the Form can be worked with more closely
with optimum conditions for correction of incorrect structures. However, in self-defence the
practitioner of Tai Chi Chuan will move at whatever speed is necessary for that particular event.
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Q. Is there a fast Form?
A. Some of the earlier Tai Chi Chuan masters have worked with a faster form, however, at the
higher levels, I believe that this is not important – after all why go fast when you can go slow?!
Q. How do I know as a beginner whether a particular master is a good
master or determine a good teacher from a bad one?
A. The question is just as much a testimony of yourself as it is of the person under your
scrutiny. Simply ask yourself ‘Do I want to be like this person?’ then you will find the teacher who is right for you and who you deserve!
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Q. Why are there different styles of Tai Chi Chuan, what distinguishes them and are there any advantages to different styles?
A. There are probably as many different styles of Tai Chi Chuan as there are different martial arts.
Each one represents a different approach and methodology in how to study the complex issues
that are involved when studying the human body. They represent different opinions and are usually
based around original families some ancestors of which would have excelled within their own
approach and therefore represent a viable method worthy of of being preserved for historical
and practical reasons for future generations.
The NTCCA recognises the importance to martial arts and to society as a whole on this point.
Please refer to the section: Ancient Traditional Methods.
The independence and perpetuation of these original styles represent the freedom of individual
thought and the limitless potential humanity has in adapting to its environment and in finding
new resources to old and new problems alike. This acts as a reminder that there will always be
new things to discover while diversity is allowed to flourish.
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Q. If you are a beginner do you have to wear a uniform?
A. No – The uniform is constructed of a durable and comfortable material that facilitates easy
movement of the Tai Chi Chuan forms and withstands many washes without perishing. Each school will
probably have a different uniform but based on the same principles behind the methods for
construction.
However for those students who would like to wear a uniform, then it is appropriate to wear the uniform of the school.
Remember though, that it is not the uniform but rather what is inside it and what that person does with their time and their energy that is most important.
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Q. Why do students bow at the beginning of their class?
A. This is a school tradition and one which is shared by most martial arts in one fashion or
another. It is merely a way of bringing the class to an ordered state and to show a mutual respect
for the place of work. You will note that the teacher will also bow to the class to show his
treatment of them is respectful and ethical within the boundaries of the training area and the
tradition of the school and the past masters who set the original standards.
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Q. Does Tai Chi Chuan make you fit and strong?
A. Any repeated aerobic exercise will make you fitter and stronger over time. With Tai Chi
Chuan, Fitness and strength are incidental by-products of being a practitioner of this art
whilst one works in developing mastery over the body and increasing the Chi and internal
environment.
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Q. Are Tai Chi, Taiji, Tai Chi Chuan, T'ai Chi Ch'uan and Taijiquan or Taiji Quan different martial arts?
A. They are all the same. The correct pronounciation and spelling of course are in the Chinese dialect and script, since the origins of Tai Chi Chuan are in Mainland China - See the section: History
In The Romanised Engish version, I find Tai Chi Chuan to be the easiest for most people to recognise and pronounce although Taiji and Taijiquan are just as popular and probably more close in pronounciation in the English language.
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Q. Is Tai Chi Chuan good for older people?
A. Yes most definitely, however, please refer to the section: Policies and Recommendations and the Disclaimer
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Q. What do you think about schools that teach Kung Fu and Tai Chi Chuan, will this help?
A. What each school does is up to them and is personal between the teacher and student. All
martial arts are complete systems and differ only in their method and approach. Some will aim
to make different gains or types of progress and all ultimately will, when studied hard enough
and long enough, achieve what they set out to achieve. It is about the dedication of the student
not the art.
My personal view is that if one studies more than one martial art at the same time, their time on each is diluted and their potential of results will not be maximised in either art and therefore I prefer to keep refining the one art I was fortunate to have learned from my master
Please also refer to the Rules and Regulations of The NTCCA (and Code of Conduct).
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Q. Is there any advantage or benefit in going to see other
teachers?
A. Historically, within the traditional Schools of Tai Chi Chuan, I believe this was almost
impossible and may only have been possible at a distance if there happened to have been a public
demonstration or bout. Even then, the master would have concealed his art under his clothing
and would only have shown what he wanted to be shown - A student would have needed to prove
himself before the master would show anything of any value. See Ancient and Traditional Methods
Furthermore you must ask yourself why you would want to do so. As a student of a particular
system, you are learning that system, including its history and traditions. You will learn
nothing of this from looking in other places, especially under the conditions I have just
described.
Besides this, Tai Chi Chuan is an Internal system and very little if anything can be
learned from observing the outside!
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Q. Is Tai Chi Chuan a spiritual practice, religion or meditation practice?
A. One must always be careful when using generic terms like "spiritual" as people will
invariably all have their own personal interpretation or percept of what these words mean.
Anything can be spiritual or not it depends on who is doing it and their own disposition - here
I am referring to the understanding of 'spiritual' to mean being closer to nature and the
natural vibrations of life.
Religious? Tai Chi Chuan has never been taught within any religious context as far as I am aware.
The Original Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan does not consider or practice it this way. [see the section
on Taoism]
Meditation? there are so many interpretations as to what meditation is and the process or
practices that one would go through in order to achieve this state. I read once that 'fishing
is the Western man's meditation.'
Please refer to the section: Tai Chi Chuan Overview for more information.
You may also care to visit the Master Hamlin School of Original Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan website, for more detailed information of a more instructional nature.
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Q. Are there any belts in Tai Chi Chuan?
A. No. Please refer to the Essay section: Concept of Grading and Competition in Context with
Tai Chi Chuan.
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Q. How quickly could I qualify as a teacher?
A. Please refer to the page: Ancient Traditional Methods.
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Q. If I have studied Tai Chi before and then change schools
would I need to start at the beginning again?
A. Learning under a master means that you want to learn from that master, this also implies
you would want to learn from the beginning and learn all there is to know about Tai Chi Chuan
from that master.
Just because the first few movements of the form that you learn are at the beginning does not
render them to be of lesser importance. From the first movements in the Form you are introduced
to a highly sophisticated system of movement that offers a rich study of the body and warrants
close attention. It will take many years to become proficient at these movements alone.
What also has to be brought into consideration is the reason why you would want to change schools
in the first place. Most cases in my experience, it is because the student recognised that the
school they were leaving did not offer them the standard of teaching they had hoped for. So why
not then start at the beginning once you have found the master you were seeking?
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Q. What is the difference between the long and the short Form and
which is best to do?
A. I have found that the Original Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan Long Form is the most
sophisticated and advanced body movement system and is complete within itself. The Short Form
is ok for those that do not have the time and wish to make some gains - it has less movements,
takes up less space and takes less time to perform and may suit the expectations of some busy
business people.
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Q. Does Tai Chi Chuan relate to acupuncture, acupressure and Chinese
Meridian theory and how good is it for your health?
A. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Tai Chi Chuan are all based on the same understanding
of the energy of the body. Within these systems, practice may differ as to how the energy is
accessed and manipulated and all systems ultimately have a good record for self-healing.
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Q. What are the similarities between Tai Chi Chuan and Yoga
A. Firstly, there are a number of different Yoga systems, Hatha Yoga (which I will focus on
here), when taught and practiced in the old traditional ways is a complete system of personal
health culture which includes the health of all aspects of the being including the energy and
the spirit. Its basis and approach is markedly different in many ways to Tai Chi Chuan including
the way the energy movement around the body is understoood and addressed. The method of breathing
and the method of meditating as well as the basic philosophy behind the system also differ in many
fundamental ways.
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Q. What is the 'step' reference in context with Tai Chi Chuan e.g. 59 step
form?
A. This term of reference merely denotes how many movements are in the form but can indicate
also which style of Tai Chi Chuan is being practised.
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Q. Is Tai Chi Chuan suitable for children?
A. Please refer to the section: Policies and Recommendations
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Q. What about competition in Tai Chi Chuan?
A. Please refer to the section in Essays: Concept of Grading and Competition in Context with Tai Chi Chuan
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Q. What is Chi Kung Qigong and Qi Gong are they the same and and what
are the benefits?
A. Chi Kung and Qigong or Qi Gong are the same merely Romanised English variants of the Same
Chinese Character based on phoentic comparisons
Please refer to Tai Chi Chuan Overview.
For further more detailed explanations please refer to: Master Hamlin School of Original Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan
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Q. What is pushing hands and what purpose does it play in Tai Chi
Chuan?
A. Pushing Hands is one of the Traditional Tests used within a school of Tai Chi Chuan to
provide physical feedback to the students about their Form structures. Pushing hands is
therefore not intended to be used for competition.
Please refer to the Essay section: Concept of Grading and Competition in Context with Tai Chi Chuan
Please Refer to the section: Exhibition Gallery in this web site to view some images of
Pushing Hands.
Please refer to Master Hamlin School of Original Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan if you require a more technical
reply.
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Q. How important is daily practice and Should I force myself to follow a daily routine as a form of discipline?
A. You can only do what you an do. If a programme can be forced it can also be done voluntarily. What you put in is proportional to what you get back, whether this be Tai Chi Chuan or any other activity. The real issue is quality not quantity. Quality actions performed with a good state of mind will always produce better results than a greater quantity of of actions rushed or done without precision and concentration. Furthermore, practice done when you feel you really ought to be somewhere else or doing something else is not good practice. Setting time aside where you can enjoy that which you do is the best approach.
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Q. How important is individual feedback to progress or does progress not exist?
A. Feedback is important, which is why there are a number of traditional tests within Tai Chi Chuan. Within the Original Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan. You should also expect to receive individual feedback from the master through Form corrections and through one-to-one work with him, gaining feedback on your body structure in this way. Ultimately you will be taught to understand your own body and energy and 'listen' to it, thereby providing you with your own feedback for yourself.
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Q. Is Tai Chi Chuan a contact sport?
A. Traditionally practiced Tai Chi Chuan is not a sport and should never be seen as one. There are traditional methods within the system where students will work together with physical contact. However these are not worked with in a competitive environment and as such are not intended to be 'hard' in nature.
You will find that the student has the best conditions to attain the highest achievements within this type of environment.
[Please refer the section in Essays: Concept of Grading and Competition in Context with Tai Chi Chuan
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Q. Is any form of reading recommended?
A. A lot depends on what you hope to get from the reading. If you require to gain any technical help, please remember that if you are a student of Tai Chi Chuan, you would have elected to learn from a particular master and that particular line of the art. Unless the Master can refer you to one of his own books or specific reading material that he recommends, you will not be focussed on your main task of working with the master's instruction.
Technically based books are one method of teaching but must be relevant to your study.
The best teaching is directly from the master to the student and the most important lessons are those transmitted through 'feel' and by the student being guided to experience Tai Chi Chuan and the energy in this system.
The yang style Tai Chi Chuan has historically been a family based art and a private matter and as such little has been written for the general public. That which has been entrusted to senior students is, out of respect kept private.
There are no short cuts to gain the knowledge. The master will introduce to the student when he or she is ready and able to put into practice that next level of the art. This is in line with
the Ancient and Traditional Methods and school system.
There are now some nice historical photo-records now reprinted and some interesting philosophy books on Taoism. To read more on the relevance of Taoism to Tai Chi, please refer to the section: Taoism.
If you are looking for Historical background again please bear in mind that the activities of past masters are behind family doors and shared only with family members and close students, so little reliable information is available - it is a personal matter. Some old articles and newspapers cuttings exist however again it is best to learn directly from your master if you want to gain the best picture of what is otherwise a private matter.
You may also like to refer to the section on this web site: Publications and References
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Q. How does one maintain the motivation and staying power to practice day in and day out?
A. If this is an issue you need to develop a different mind set and attitude to discipline and the repetition of exercise. This comes with changing the scale at which you observe the details of your movements in the form. The adage that 'you can never tread the same water twice' helps. Concentrate on the details of your movements and study the
physical relationships in your body at a subjective level with one eye on your lesson content. In time you will notice that the more you practice the Form correctly, this in itself will generate its own energy to further enthuse you. The more interested you become at this subjective level the more motivated you will become.
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Q. What is it about Tai Chi Chuan teaching methods that enable students to develop the staying power and ability to overcome psychosomatic blocks?
A. Tai Chi Chuan, when practised correctly, works on every aspect of the person - the
physical, the emotional and the mental levels. Once the Chi can move around the body, without 'Blocking' or 'Wasting', the physical, the emotional and the mental parts of the body begin to balance, not only at that particular level but between each level. The release of physical blocks will also release mental and emotional blocks.
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Q. Can Tai Chi Chuan be used to help lower blood pressure and heart rate?
A. Please refer to the section: Tai Chi Chuan Overview
and the section: Policies and Recommendations.
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Q. Is there an upper age limit?
A. Please refer to the section Policies and Recommendations.
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Q. Do women have an equal opportunity to develop and excel in the two person routines of Tai Chi Chuan if they are working with men?
A. Certainly. Being a man or a woman offers no advantage. Tai Chi Chuan is based upon
different principles other than strength, speed, size and mass etc, qualities that might
be considered to be the masculine advantage. Progress in Tai Chi Chuan is determined by
parameters that offer all types of people an equal playing field.
Please refer to the sections: Policies and Recommendations and Tai Chi Chuan Overview.
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Q. Can Tai Chi Chuan or Chi Kung improve social behaviour and could it be used as a method to improve on today’s anti-social behaviour?
A. Many elements contribute to the psyche of people including diet, toxicity of the body due to drugs and medicines and pollutants, as well as personal experiences and hereditary and learned behaviour influences. One must also have the desire to change as well as the will to do so.
If the will and the desire to change exists, then Tai Chi Chuan, within a well disciplined school, will help. The other influences will ultimately also need to be addressed. Remember though, that the work on oneself is one's own personal responsibility as are the choices they make.
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Q. Would I expect to be put in the a different class and treated differently because I am an older student and a woman?
A. Certainly not, you should expect to be treated exactly the same as everyone else and be integrated with the other students. You are all students and you are all learning the same disciplines.
Each student should expect to be taught within the group and also receive personal correction from the master at an individual level and sensitive to your individual needs and limitations.
Please also refer to the section: Policies and Recommendations
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Q. Would Tai Chi Chuan help me to become more flexible?
A. There are no overtly dynamic or forced stretching routines in Tai Chi Chuan, yet in time the student will find they will slowly increase the range of their movements. This process will also be enhanced by improving diet.
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Q. Can Tai Chi Chuan help me to improve concentration and mental agility?
A. The study of Tai Chi Chuan requires the student from the beginning, to concentrate on the different parts of their body whist attempting to achieve the correct physical structures and transitions between these structures. Working in this way will help the student to slowly increase his or her strength of concentration.
Mental agility is related to the physical and emotional well-being of the person and the amount of exercise the brain is given.
I believe that because of the way that Tai Chi Chuan works and what it draws from the student, it can only assist in helping to achieve this objective.
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Q. I drink and smoke will I still be able to do Tai Chi?
A. Master Yang says that "If you want timely results" then avoid tobacco and alcohol and in short "Restrict all forms of harmful habits". I hold these points as being of great value and importance. Anything that damages the Chi - Wastes it or Blocks it - can only harm the body and hasten poor health with inferior functioning of all the faculties and inhibit the personal development of the person.
One's body and Chi are 'on loan' and should be treated accordingly.
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Q. Some courses offer me a chance to teach after a few years of learning, but neither Master Hamlin's School or the NTCCA seem to offer this. Can you explain why you do not offer this?
?
A. One must not only think of themselves and their personal aspirations, but also of the responsibility to the art in maintaining its standards and the personal development and opportunities of any students you may find yourself teaching. It is highly unlikely that in just a few years any of these objectives could be satisfied. For a deeper understanding of the Original Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan, please refer to Ancient and Traditional methods.
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Q. I am worried I may get injured when practising Tai Chi, is there any
risk of this?
A. Ultimately you are responsible for how how operate and handle your body, nobody has greater influence and control over the well-being and health of your body than you do, and no one can prevent an injury occurring if you move your body incorrectly
If you practice Tai Chi Chuan as you are taught, I know of no other activity safer than Tai Chi Chuan. This is why I place utmost importance on providing correct positions in Form practice. Please though, seek advice from your medical advisor.
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Q. I belong to a different school but wonder if you can explain why it is that I seem to train as hard as some of my classmates but they seem to progress more than I do. Do you have an answer?
A. I think this question is best asked of your teacher and therefore, I can answer only from an historic perspective.
Master Yang pointed out that he recognised that there were "differences in disposition, intelligence and comprehension" in people and that the "principles" of Tai-Chi Chuan are "extremely profound and cannot be understood in one day" and advised all students to persevere with their study.
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To ask a question, please email ntccafaq@richtcyy.demon.co.uk. When submitting a question, please provide your full name and contact details.
Copyright © Richard Hamlin 2007
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - National Tai Chi Chuan Association (NTCCA) (UK)