Learning The Standard Form

Dave RobertDave Robert
Chief Instructor
Wu’s Tai Chi Chuan Academy, Toronto

The standard form is a core pillar of training in Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan.

The standard form is the foundation of the round form, push hands, applications, weapons forms, and all other training we do. It is unique to Wu Style. It trains depth and power in your movements. Whereas the round form and others teach you how to apply that power.

Try not to confuse the two. What most people think of as “Tai Chi Chuan” is the round form – very circular and relaxed looking. What we start training with is the standard form – very linear and segmented. The standard form conditions the joints, body and mind. It is a tool to work on and improve how your mind and body moves. Once you have a basic understanding of the standard form you can move on to the round form and others. But each new technique or ‘level’ of training you do starts by working on it with the standard form. You need to be accomplished in that level or technique in the standard form before it can be applied in other areas. Don’t confuse the round form with the standard form, they are quite different.

When we train any movement, the standard form included, we organize our training into 6 ‘levels’. This is necessary because the conscious mind can only work on a few elements at a time. As elements become ‘internalized’ more attention capacity becomes available, and more elements can be added. Each level includes all the levels below it, until each movement integrates the entirety of the mind, body and spirit.

  • Level 1 – Mechanics: At this level you learn the motions of the standard form. It is very important to learn which parts of the body move together, and which parts remain stationary. This is the basis of coordination. It is very important to keep the motions separate so one motion does not blend into the next.
  • Levels 2 and 3 – Flow and Mind: These levels refine each motion. Flow is not ‘roundness’, nor is it just continuous movement. Flow is a very refined body alignment and weight distribution so that you can move from one complete motion to the next with no gaps or adjustments. The continuation of one motion to the next is not just flow but also mind, and is an advanced aspect of these levels (‘the motion ends but the mind continues’ is the phrase in traditional literature). It is a very common mistake to try to focus on continuity too soon.
  • Levels 4, 5, and 6 – Power, Chi, and Spirit: When levels 1-3 are properly mastered you will already feel the internal power in each movement. In the ‘power’ level you learn how to increase and direct that power. In the ‘chi’ level you learn to include ‘chi’ (developed with other exercises) into the motion.

Reminders for learning the mechanics of the standard form are:

  • Your number one priority at this level is to remember the sequence. Your body is already internalizing the sequence into coordination, so it is important the coordination is correct. Movements must be sequential, not blended together, or the higher levels of practice will remain unavailable to you.
  • The basic requirements (the alignment of the chin, eyes, breathing, shoulders, elbows, chest and hips) are very important. But at this level they can be thought of as part of the sequence. At higher levels they must be studied deeply to develop internal power and internal energy (Chi).
  • Try to separate your weight as much as possible. Weight separation is fundamental to the benefits of Tai Chi Chuan. It will also help you remember the sequence. Ideally, the weight needs to separate 100%.
  • Train slowly, so you can see your mistakes.
  • Relax, but also stretch to open the meridians and joints. Relaxation and stretching work together.
  • Don’t rush through learning the forms. It is frustrating to have so much to memorize before you can proceed, but it is required so that your mind can be free from that task and can begin focusing on how to refine the motion.

Done properly, the practice of the Wu Style standard form is quite challenging. But it can be used by all age groups – improving mental and physical health, and, for those interested, developing internal power for martial arts. The more advanced your training becomes, the greater the benefit to your mind and body.

 

Profile on Dave Robert

Chief Instructor

Wu’s Tai Chi Chuan Academy, Toronto Canada