page 165, 'Chen style Taichi Complete' vol. 2, by Master Pan, 1984, Oct 1st, translated by Paul Chou, 7/25/2002
Stages 1st (fluency of movements) 2nd Understand Jin (internal energy) 3rd indescribable (reflex without consciousness)
Size and details of circular rotation Looking for circular rotation with draft circular rotation with detailed circular rotation with concise circular rotation circular rotation into micro control
Form performing Familiar with the form, by practice external move to cultivate internal Chi. soften joints, relax extra energy, all movements can be complete continuously. Reduce size of circle, use internal energy to drive external movements. Further reduce size of circle, internal energy combines with external movement. Circle size approaches zero, no more different between internal energy and external movements.
Chi cultivation Start sensing Chi Sense Chi through out movements and form strengthen Chi gradually internal Chi grow very strong internal Chi extremely strong
Target relax Yi, Sink Chi back to Dan-Tien Can not control partially control can control completely control keep improving
Requirements Body structure
  1. stand in balance
  2. no leaning
  3. head straight up
  4. press shoulders, sink elbows
  5. hallow chest, stable waist
  6. Open and relax lower body joints
Can not control, first emphasize on head and body straight up, avoid leaning. partially control, pay more attention in accuracy and coordination. Not yet completely control, pay more attention. Completely control. every moves continuous without gap, body structure tight and accurate. Improve from the extreme, Taichi is demonstrated in every instance, still or in motion.
Internal Chi
  1. calm & use intention
  2. clear divide Solid and Void
  3. joints connected
  4. moves connected
  5. whole body act as one
  6. internal bind with external
  7. support all direction
  8. body and mind in total balance
Can not control, first clearly divide weight taking leg. Partially control. Looking for calmness not intention yet. Looking for joints connect then to moves connect. Gradually achieved, mind is clam, emphasize on intention now. Chi follow intention, whole body moves as one, further to bind internal and external. Completely control. synchronize intention and Chi, well into real application mode. Improve from the extreme, Yin Yang balanced, supporting all direction, body and mind in total balance.
application criteria
  1. give up and follow
  2. bend to follow, extend to reach
  3. light while follow, stick while advance
  4. attract and off balance
not the training goal for this stage, avoid push hand practice, except simple circle push hand. Partially control, still not the training goal for this stage. Gradually achieved, start to practice push hand and looking for achieving these goals. Can complete control, can follow and reflex, accurate, powerful will small move. Easy in neutralize, clear in issuing. Improve from the extreme, whole body in perfect harmony, neutralize and issuing with no trace.
Self sensation
  1. internal Chi motivated
  2. internal Chi circulated
  3. internal Chi fluently through out
  4. increase clarity and fullness of internal Chi
feel a little Chi. It is time to cultivate. Internal Chi increase, feel little regulation, can be fluently through out. Internal Chi is fluently through out, clarity and fullness not yet enough. enough clarity and fullness of internal Chi and can be exchanged with delicacy. Internal Chi extremely full and clear, movements very smooth and agile, Chi exchange without trace, whole body like a balloon, variation at will.
Style and expression
  1. looked soft yet connected
  2. looked rigid yet fluent
  3. light with root
  4. solid not stagnant
  5. fast not gushy
  6. slow not stagnate
seemed rigid yet empty, sudden hit, rush, up and down. seemed soft, not enough internal yet, in push hand shows resist, collapsed and stagnant. perform with soft and smooth with solidness and rigidity. In push hand still feel clumsiness occasionally. rigid and soft coexist, fast and slow exchange, open and close alternate, external and internal coherent. stillness, potential with all life. form arises animated by this CHI. Flowing between all seeming polarities. Floating as flower petals on the wind, Then firm as an iron block. speed as a plunging falcon. attack as a roaring tiger, move as running water silent, as mountain. the message in between gentle connection. Spirit in conserve just before release.
Points to watch out
  1. concave or otherwise
  2. muscular and mechanical
  3. rigid and stagnant
  4. broken and leaning
exist in every move. pay all the effort to avoid these errors. can find those error spot and know how to avoid them there no longer error definitely no error
number of form practiced Old form 10 sets Old form 10 sets 12 sets of Old form and 3 sets of Cannon fist 15 sets of Old form and Cannon fist Still keep practicing
period to progress 6 month until fluent the Old form approximately 4 years 2 years, learn cannon fist and long stick. 3 years plus minus. With weapon training. No end for this one.
Breath nature breath still nature breath naturally into intention synchronization intention, movement and breath synchronized completely (naturally) unified and harmonized
Silk reeling Jin can not control gradually control can control total control and detailed completely mastering
Martial performance
  1. defense and offense at will
  2. balanced and stand without failed
limited efficiency. can not even balance oneself. advance and neutralizing clumsily. can handle strong opponent but feel difficult. can neutralize and issue simultaneously, can defense oneself even with strong opponent. extremely adaptable and efficient, however, be humble and cautions, there always someone better.
Health improvement avoid sickness, prolong life feel stronger, old illness gradually fade away. Get stronger, old illness disappear. Very solid circulation and strong. Very seldom get sick. healthy and long living without illness. Healthy and long living even in difficult environment.