A few extracts from the Red Book of Grand Master Tung Ying Jié (1897-1961 ).
Tai Chi Chuan must be learned slowy, one move at a time. After awhile, the learning will be easier. Sometimes a student feel good at first. Then after a few months, some may begin to feel as if they are not improving and lose their patience. realize that this is also a sign of improvement. Be patient and work through it. Beginners go through many stages, let each stage be a leanring experience...
Beginners should not worry about aches and pains. They are normal. Relaxing will ease the pain and regular practice will impart lightness and quickness. Eventually spirit will increase and Qi will permeate the body. Do not give up...
Tai Chi can prevent disease. With regular practice, anyone, regardless of condition, age, race or gender, can have good health. With diligent practice, problems such as sleepless nights, high blood pressure, stomach trouble, weak lungs, backaches, kidney problems and anemia will diseappear. Even bent spines, improper alignment and clumsy hands and feet, can be corrected through Tai Chi...
Tai Chi is nourishment for the body. Humans are moving beings and movement is essential to our health and well-being. Tai Chi is the perfect movement, because it is an exercise that follows the principles of nature and uses the laws of physiology. In the first posture of the form (preparation posture), the hands hang from the arms, the legs are straight and the whole body is relaxed. Thoughts sould be gathered and concentrated. You must put down the heavy loads that you are carrying and try to relax. Calm your heart and rest your mind. When this stage has been reached, begin the form...
In Tai Chi Chuan the whole body should be loose and soft... Too much physical strength will slow improvement. Better to abandon stiff energy and always be natural and loose. Throuh soft practice, physical strength will turn into internal power...
When familiar with the form, you will begin to understand the energy. From understanding the enrgy, you will reach the ultimate understanding of Tai Chi. When learning Tai Chi, first learn the postures correctly then practise to achieve fluidity. Many practitionners can converse knowledgeably but are not able to apply theory to their practice. This is not real understanding. Learning Tai Chi is like the tiny seedling that grows to be a huge tree. To be good, the energy must be understood. To undrstand the energy, practise. The sequence of learning cannot be changed...
Through practice, Qi will circulate thoroughly in the meridians. Energy goes to the hands by relaxing the shoulders and dropping the elbows. There should be no tension in the shoulders. Lightness is achieved by moving deftly and being aware. Moving as if walking through mud (stuck, clumsy) will lead to blockages, unevenness and stiff strength. Learning thses principles through practice, rather than reading or hearing about them, will lead to improvement...
Breathing should be natural, never forced to be longer or deeper. With regular practice, breathing will naturally adjust to the movement. Forced breathing will do more harm than good...
Practise as if each move is being used against an opponent. This will present better understanding of the energy...
Tai Chi can be practiced while walking, standing, or lying down. Always use Tai Chi principles and work on Tai Chi in any situation. For example, try to pick up a cup or glass using a lot of energy and with very little. Pay attention when walking. Are your steps heavy or light ? Compare standing with knees locked and then bent with hips relaxed or on one foot versus both. Thses are all excellent learning experiences...
As a Martial Artist, always be kind and fair. Students should respect their teacher and dedicate themselves to the art. Value your teachers teaching. Preserve it and pass it on. This is the traditional Chinese way. Understand thisto learn the real Gongfu, because this is the nature of the universe...
The Red Book in pdf, with warm thanks to Chip Ellis
(the 3 parys of the Form by Grand Master Tung Ying Jié)