The Five Stages of Learning Tai Chi Chuan

Tai Chi Chuan is well-known as being easy to learn but difficult to master. As a martial art, it is a lifelong journey. In Wang Zongyue's Tai Chi Treatise （18th Century）, five milestones are outlined: proficiency in forms (著熟), gradual understanding (漸悟), mastery of energy (懂勁), enlightenment (神明), and effortless mastery (從心所欲). These correspond to the five stages of the Wang’s Water Style Tai Chi training system.

1. Foundation Stage (以體練形): This focuses on refining physical movements and mastering the forms with precision.

2. Energy Stage (以形練勁): Here, practitioners explore internal energy pathways, cultivating a spiraling force through joint coordination.

3. Integration Stage (以勁煉氣): This involves harmonizing internal energy (Qi) with physical movements, achieving seamless flow in sinking, descending, risng and floating.

4. Refinement Stage (以氣凝神): At this level, practitioners unify spirit, mind and into a cohesive whole.

5. Mastery Stage (凝神合虛): The ultimate goal is to transcend technique to reach a state of clarity and spontaneity, free from rigid form.

   
   

Each stage includes specific content and methodology. Below are detailed descriptions of each stage:

1. Using the Body to Train Form (以體練形):

Begin by mimicking physical movements, focusing on posture, positioning, direction, sequence, and coordination of hands, eyes, body, and steps.

Tai Chi emphasizes circular movements, avoiding straight lines, to develop fluidity and balance.

The fundamental techniques consist of the "Eight Gates and Five Steps," collectively known as the "Thirteen Dynamics." Imagine three virtual lines passing through the center of a spherical body: front-to-back, left-to-right, and top-to-bottom. These lines divide the sphere into eight directions, representing the "Eight Gates," which symbolize the concept of being oriented in all directions.

The Five Steps represent the expansion of the sphere outward from its center point and its contraction back to the center point. Expansion corresponds to rising and floating, while contraction corresponds to sinking and descending. Together, the Eight Gates and Five Steps are referred to as the "Thirteen Dynamics," emphasizing that the spherical movement is an integrated and coordinated motion, maintaining a smooth and unbroken surface. Any emergence of edges or angles signifies localized movement. Hence, every action encompasses the Thirteen Dynamics: the eight directions (Four Sides and Eight Corners), the expansion and contraction, and the rising, descending, floating and sinking.

Objective: Master the first section of the 91-form routine (a total of 17 postures) and develop a proper understanding of their application. Perform with vitality, rounded and relaxed movements, and correct postures integrating mind and body.

Tai Chi is a journey of continuous discovery

2. Using Form to Cultivate Energy (以形練勁):

Tai Chi prizes refined energy (巧勁) over brute force (拙力). Internal energy (內勁) originates from tendons and ligaments, characterized by flexibility, agility, and the ability to release energy instantly.

 How can one cultivate internal energy? Internal energy is a type of spiral force. Observe an old ox pulling a heavy cart: its immense strength appears effortless, calm, composed, and methodical, as if lifting something light. Thus, it is commonly referred to as 'old ox energy' (老牛勁).

 Training emphasizes:

• Coordinating joints to create a spiral energy (螺旋勁), described as "nine pearls strung together" (九曲連珠), referring to nine major joints in our body – ankle, knee, hip, waist, spine, scapula, shoulder, elbow, and wrist. This coordination creates a spiral energy, akin to wringing a towel, with a forward and backward pulling force between joints.

• Developing a feedback loop with gravity to channel energy from the feet through the body to the hands.

Milestone: Sense and transmit energy smoothly during forms and in push-hands practice, transferring force from contact points to the ground and back to an opponent.

3. Using Energy to Refine Qi (以勁煉氣):

This stage transitions from focusing on visible effort (明勁) to cultivating hidden Qi/strength (暗勁). The flow of Qi encompasses breath, intention and vitality.

Practitioners aim for seamless, continuous motions, integrating body and breath, achieving a unified energy flow of rising, sinking, floating and descending.

Milestone: During forms, maintain fluid, connected movements without breaks. In push-hands, detect and respond to an opponent’s energy with precise sensitivity, adhering to the principle of “knowing oneself and the opponent, neither resisting nor disengaging”.

4. Unifying Qi and Spirit (以氣凝神):

The ”Thirteen Postures Song” states: “The coccyx is upright, and the spirit is drawn to the crown of the head”. Spirit (神) refers to the central nervous system’s role in harmonizing body functions and responding to the external environment.  

At this level, practitioners integrate the mind, energy, and body into a cohesive whole. The "spirit" (神) coordinates all actions, achieving effortless response to external changes.

Training focuses on:

• Refining energy to penetrate the entire body.

• Achieving dynamic adaptability in response to opponents, as described in The Art of War: "There are no constant forms in battle; water has no fixed shape. The ability to adapt to the opponent’s changes defines mastery”.

Milestone: Move with the agility of a hawk hunting a rabbit or a cat catching a mouse, Energy circulates freely throughout the body; and in push hands or combat, the practitioner adapts seamlessly to the opponent’s force, achieving perfect timing and balance.

5. Mastery Stage (凝神合虛): Merging with the Void

All prior techniques are forms of deliberate practice (有為法). In this ultimate stage, all techniques are transcended. The practitioner achieves a state of natural spontaneity, embodying the principle of wuwei (無為, effortless action).

Key concepts:

• Let go of all learned techniques, returning to a pure, uncontrived state.

• Achieve the essence of Tai Chi: “No forms, no intent, yet true intent arises within non-intent.”

Milestone: Tai Chi becomes an instinctive expression, free from conscious thought or effort, embodying the essence of martial and spiritual unity.

Progress through these stages requires patience and methodical training. Attempting to rush often leads to failure. Practitioners must advance step-by-step, as mastery is a journey, not a destination.