Transitioning From Tai Chi Theory To Application Staring With Centering Alan Ludmer

For many years I have witnessed the disturbing deterioration of martial arts application in Tai Chi practice. Why are we losing our internal martial understanding and what does that mean for the future of Tai Chi? It is important because we are loosing an incredibly valuable Tai Chi component. I have no problem with practitioners who only want a very limited part of Tai Chi. Some people love the slow movement and that is all they want. I understand, but as a former educator and long term practitioner, I believe that practitioners should be aware of the art's amazing value. They then can make an informed decision as to how deep they wish to dwell.

My transition from the external (hard style martial arts i.e. karate, judo, etc) to the internal (Tai Chi, Ba Gua, etc.) was facilitated by superb, highly knowledgeable internal martial arts teachers. They taught that Tai Chi is based upon the contextual application of fundamental principles. My transition was far from easy. Five decades later, it is still a work in progress. My early boxing exposure taught speed, power, and how to take a punch. Our mental focus was on imposing our will on our opponent. Shotokan karate raised the ante. We hardened our fists and limbs to break whatever we hit. Tai Chi offered me a counter intuitive paradigm shift; learn to accept energy and redirect it. This brought me an entirely new holistic understanding of physical and mental self defense.

My first Tai Chi teacher, Professor Huo Chi Kwan taught that Tai Chi Chuan is boxing for physical and mental health, but one had to learn the self defense application first to harvest the true value. He felt that far too many Tai Chi Teachers had little or no understanding of Tai Chi's internal energy (chi) application. I've found that many teachers see the martial as confrontational, unnecessary, and way too scary. Other teachers see applications only in an external context; blocking, striking, and kicking. In my experience, most Tai Chi Teachers are kind, decent and certainly well meaning people, but if they don't understand internal energy application, they are limited in what they can teach. No matter what your Tai Chi goals are (health, self defense, energy awareness, etc) you can't get the true physical and mental benefits without understanding the application of internal energy.

Professor Huo stressed that the understanding and implementation of Tai Chi principles enables one to master the art. He used the analogy of learning to play music. You could copy moves and mimic one song, or you could learn the principles of music: melody, rhythm, composition, reading music, etc., and then play your own music.

Alan Ludmer teaching karate — Chicago 1972

Conceptual Overview

Transitioning from theory to internal energy application is a long and arduous process. In our internal arts universe, there are a few truly knowledgeable teachers, many well meaning people, and unfortunately no shortage of charlatans. So how do we identify what is real internal energy?

My teachers taught two primary core Tai Chi concepts:

1. Tai Chi Chuan is built upon specific concepts/principles which enable one to attain what psychologists call a state of heightened situational awareness. Being present allows you to respond appropriately to any physical, mental, and emotional situation. The concepts are presented in a martial format which is a form of reality therapy. If a punch is coming at your nose, you better be present. The more you understand the concept of what awareness entails, the more your art and you will grow.

2. The application of TCC principles is contextual. Specific situations dictate how concepts are applied. It is said that the only constant in life is change. The martial echoes this by teaching to expect the unexpected. Dependent upon your level of understanding, principles can be modified and even changed to reflect changing situations. My current teacher, Master Tuey Staples teaches that Tai Chi is an art of infinite flexibility and constant change.

Professor Huo Chi Kwan

Tuey Staples [R] with Alan Ludmer [L]

centered stances form the basis for light powerful movement.

Start with Centering

Master Staples teaches that internal understanding begins with centering. This is both a physical and mental construct. Centering teaches a constant heightened state of awareness by focusing upon being in the present. Every Tai Chi move is a centering move. Centering does not mean stopping or physically stressing; it is not a static action. Centering provides physical and mental clarity. It is an introduction to being in the now.

Centering is usually introduced with standing postures. Professor Huo began my training with postures such as holding the ball or standing post for extended periods. It was challenging, but eventually I begin to recognize my tension and stiffness and focus on body awareness. I learned to sink into my feet and then into the ground. Powerful

Centering techniques work well with any posture or form move. The old masters taught holding each form posture for an extended period to learn the move’s true essence. Once students begin to relax physically and sink into their feet, they began begin to relax mentally. They learned to be where they were instead of rushing to the next move. When they learned to center, then they were ready to start understanding how the energy moves and that there is stillness in movement and movement in stillness.

Holding the Ball

A good place to begin is to hold the ball posture. When you can hold the posture for 1 minute comfortably, increase your time in one minute increments. The plan is to relax and become aware of your tension. Visualize your energy falling into your feet and then into the earth. Like being in a waterfall or a shower, the water (energy) flows down your body into the earth. Internal movement is always back and down, or down and back. Tuey Staples always told me to give the earth energy.

Begin the holding the ball posture by starting in an infinity stance. For this example, an infinity stance is standing upright, heels together, right and left feet are facing out on a 45 degree angle. Visualize facing north and your feet point north west and north east. Your weight is equally balanced between both legs. Clear your mind and send you energy downward.

Visualize the move in four beats. Beat 1, small sit in the infinity stance. Beat 2. Transfer weight to right foot and step with left foot to shoulder width stance. Your feet are parallel. Beat 3. Sit more and raise arms with a shoulder, elbow, and wrist sequence. Move slowly and focus on moving back and down. Beat 4. Sit more, relax arms and adjust palms so that they are facing you as if you are holding a large beach ball. Look at your fingers and breath in through you nose and our your mouth. Work to hold this posture for at least 5 minutes. Relax, remember movement and energy focus is always back and down. Focus on your Tantien (2 inches below the navel). In time you can focus on any part of your body to center. When you are ready, start holding various moves from your form. Learn to feel what is energetically and physically happening.

In 1975, I was fortunate to attend classes with Professor Huo's friend and colleague, Professor Kuo Lien Ying. Master Kuo was a legendary internal boxing master and fanatical about holding postures. His classes reinforce many of Professor Huo's teachings. They both stressed understanding begins with centering and that holding postures is key to learning to centering.

Alan Ludmer demonstrating ‘Holding the ball’

Professor Kuo Lien Ying demonstrating ‘Holding the ball’

Non-Opposition and Not Stopping

There are a number of principles involved in centering. However, Master Tuey states that there are only two absolute Tai Chi principles/concepts, don’t stop and don’t oppose. Why? Stopping mentally or physically breaks your chi/ energy flow. Think of moving a stalled car. The hard part is getting the car moving. Once it is moving, then it is relatively easy to keep it moving. An object in motion tends to stay in motion. Motion does not mean to stop centering. In time, you can move and center simultaneously.

Master Tuey teaches that opposition causes you to stop your movement and your energy flow. Instead, focus on moving around your opponent. Think about walking in a crowd. You don't crash into people, you move with and around them. Another point which causes stopping is adding emotional context to moves. This will cause one to stop at a move's end. The goal of non opposition is to keep your energy moving and flowing, both for health and for self defense.

Master Tuey Staples demonstrating mass in motion with Single Whip Posture

Master Staples using a light touch to unbalance Alan Ludmer Tai Chi's energy comes from mass in motion circular movement. This concept is not unique to Tai Chi. My boxing instructors taught that there were only two types of punches, those that had your weight behind them and those that didn't. Tai Chi generates great power with a light touch because you are touching with your entire body mass. When the body leads and the limbs follow in a sequential manner, you have your mass behind your movement. Remember that all moves are circles and they return to your center.

Slow down and listen to your body. All Tai Chi Chuan form moves are comprised of physical beats. Listen to the beats to avoid rushing to the next move. When you focus on physical and energetic sequencing, it will enable you to move as a unit. When you execute form moves, move your body first then arms. Focus on legs and waist, arms are a distant second. Legs should be constantly bending and straightening. Minimize waist moves to maintain your balance and center. See movement as creating torque. It will create a light touch and will enable you to easily rotate your opponent.

Summary

Whether you’re studying Tai Chi for self-defense or for physical and mental health, the path to understanding internal energy begins with centering. I've found that my true real life opponents are mental, physical, and emotional issues. Centering teaches being present. Being present enables one to appropriately address any physical, mental, and emotional situation. I have found this to be true self defense.

About the Author

Alan Ludmer is a St. Louis, Missouri Tai Chi Chuan and Ba Gua Chuan teacher, author, and student. He has over 50 years of experience in the internal and external martial arts. His initial training was in western boxing. He then studied Shotokan Karate and attained a Ni Dan ranking. In 1969, he began Tai Chi Chuan study with Professor Huo Chi Kwang. Alan was a private student and primarily studied the Yang Family Form with the Professor through 1978. After moving to St. Louis, Alan began study with Master Tuey Staples. He has been with Tuey for over 40 years, studying Tai Chi Chuan and Ba Gua Chuan. He can be reached at alanludmer@gmail.com.