Stephen Douglas Five Winds Tai CHi Chuan
Stephen Douglas Five Winds Tai CHi Chuan
An open mind
A question that regularly seems to arise is what are the benefits or advantages of ‘one style/teacher’ versus ‘gathering knowledge from different sources’. Some argue that Tai Chi Chuan knowledge increases by having more than one style/teacher, some are content with one style/teacher. The ‘gatherers’ will argue that many views will lead to a better understanding of Tai Chi Chuan, even that one teacher will lead to a closed view. The ‘traditionalists’ will defend one approach, or at least have a root system. The question however is not as straightforward as it may seem. For me it opens up different questions. For example, what does one teacher mean ? What is meant by seeking different systems, styles , or teachers ? What is meant by a better understanding of Tai Chi Chuan ? To bring some clarity to the arguments of one teacher/style versus many, it is interesting to consider these questions alongside.
It occurs to me when looking back on some of the old Chinese martial masters and practitioners, it is not unusual to find involvement in more than one style or art (although normally complimentary), and probably equally true to say you find masters and practitioners of a single style. One link however is that the drivers for learning were much the same, the desire to increase martial knowledge and skills to have an advantage in application. Martial arts were required for practical reasons, essentially a ‘trade’ - military, police, bodyguards, security firms, and so on.
Learning a martial art was driven by practicality (for example innovation being a key to survival), by culture and geography, by opportunity or even politics of a given era. The necessary hard work put into training helped provide fitness and good health, and training sometimes included medicine to aid injury recovery and fitness. Tradition has it then that seeking out new teachers was not unusual, but notably it was driven by martial intent, and a need to improve.
In the late 19th and early 20th century, particularly with the development of the Guoshu Academy during the Republican Period, the connection between health and exercise in the martial arts was exploited as a driver to produce a stronger nation - strong population equals strong nation - and the general public were encouraged to participate. The approach encouraged Chinese Boxing generally, but this also led to a non-martial emphasis to martial arts in China which continued through into the Communist period. With Communist rejection of all things old, martial focus tended to move off the mainland to Taiwan with the Nationalists, and to Hong Kong. It is only recently being openly promoted once again on the mainland as a martial art. In a sense then, an art born of a practical martial tradition became diluted in most mainland quarters to an exercise.
This is all against a background of Chinese culture, with inherent thinking steeped in attitudes and beliefs few in the west can truly comprehend. The language and traditional explanations surrounding martial arts regarding such subjects as ‘Chi’ can therefore seem mysterious and deeply meaningful, and in books (such as the classics) is poetic in nature. In contrast, some would argue such language is simply a method of explaining the world in a pre -scientific era without modern sports/medical measurements and understanding. It can therefore lead to a variety of interpretations, some invaluable to the practice and approach to TCC, some less so. In any case, this culture was largely orally transmitted to a population that was largely not literate, and in martial circles at least, this certainly provided many myths along the way. This combination of myth and truth, culture and transmission makes clear scrutiny and understanding of such subjects as Chi for example difficult.
Tai Chi Chuan without doubt can aid health and fitness of body and mind, and is a deep and wonderful martial art, but a pragmatic approach to the history of Chinese Martial Arts and the evidence at hand helps keep these ‘mysterious’ ideas of chi and so on, in perspective. A friend of mine, a respected Guangzhou University Chinese doctor now in practice in Glasgow, once answered a question. On asking about chi, he replied ‘ swimmers have good chi’. The idea of chi is not the sole domain of internal martial arts, nor mysterious. In asking what is Tai Chi Chuan, it is at its heart a martial art which brings health and fitness benefits, increased chi if you prefer, through practice. Like many other activities and other martial arts.
There arise however many and varied views taken by those involved as to what Tai Chi Chuan actually is, or why they are doing it. They may see TCC as primarily health giving, or for meditation or see philosophical connections in Taoism or iChing. Some see in TCC metaphysical and various energy flow aspects, chi transfer, brain enhancing, or aid to health/mental health cures. Calm your children , cure the ill, heal yourself. Indeed the list is endless. All these approaches are defended vigorously, and sincerely. But where do these ideas come from ? Many of these aspects are of course part of Tai Chi and Tai Chi Chuan history, although most are probably not as ‘ancient’ as westerners like to perceive. The history of TCC is very sketchy prior to 17th century Chen family, with a variety of legends of its origin, and the influence of the Guoshu Academy as recently as around 1930 cannot be under-estimated in todays view of Tai Chi Chuan. While the roots of Chinese Boxing generally and Chi Kung for health can be traced much further, most TCC we recognise today is late 18th century origin. Many of these views are of more dubious source then, and arguably reflect more late 20th century western thinking than any genuine martial or ancient Chinese connection.
Some of these views of Tai Chi Chuan of course are of value to it as a martial art, and were connected in that spirit. Many however are not, the most extreme being western creations (or perhaps creations for the westerner) where Tai Chi Chuan is forced into an idea far removed from this spirit. The myth and legend which accompanied the largely oral transmission of martial knowledge certainly contributes to some confusion, or even encourages it. It is responsible perhaps for a sense of Tai Chi Chuan being plasticine, all things to all men, sometimes even a magic wand.
Interestingly these many and varied associations are linked to TCC in a way that does not occur in other martial arts, and normally miss the point that long haul practice is required to progress, and (as in most things in life) the benefit comes from the effort. I like the adage, it is not what you know, but what you understand, that is important. Understanding only comes with practice, focus and experience. When many base their teaching on what they ‘know’ rather than understand, or where understanding is superficial or based in confusion, it suggests that care must be taken in your learning. It is not to say that TCC does not offer many benefits, or does not have a deep and rich tradition, but it is essential to challenge and test everything you see, hear or read about chi and TCC. Keep it real, be discerning, learn through your practice.
There is a further point in considering the notion of one teacher, and possibly the most important. Ultimately there is only really one teacher - yourself. My teacher regularly points out that it is not his TCC a student should do, it must be your own. The foundation (the style) and the guidance and inspiration received from the teacher are key, but the TCC and the motivation must be your own. One style then does not restrict. Within a root system there should be adaptation, and learning through training and even working with stylists from different martial arts and styles of TCC. With an open mind, and working within the Tai Chi principle, such training can teach you more than any teacher, as it is training that sticks. In other words, it is your own.
When I was a child you could purchase Lucky Bags, well within pocket money range, a jolly printed bag containing a surprise assortment of unrelated sweets and plastic toys. The contents were normally junk made to look exciting, and you were very lucky if you actually got something of ‘value’. In childish naivety however it was exciting and you returned for more. In Tai Chi Chuan the greater the practice and focus, the greater the understanding. Not talking about it, not finding new tag ons which don’t match your style, and not believing everybody has something of value because they say so. The time lost in these pursuits only detracts from the real focus required for deeper progress. I respect those who develop their art (or arts), but a collection of Lucky Bag Tai Chi lacks focus at best, and is confusing and misleading at worst.
So in asking ‘one teacher or many’ , I would suggest it is not particularly important. It is however important to be discerning. It is the quality and integrity of the art being taught that is significant. The question of your teacher(s) must be ‘Does (s)he have the understanding through practice to provide all required for that style in a quality fashion’. The question you must ask yourself is ‘ do I have the motivation and character to train the long haul to develop understanding beyond a superficial level?’ Keep an open mind, ensure focus always in practice, and again, be discerning. Restrictions lie not in the art, but in yourself.
Stephen Douglas
1st December 2011
Thursday, 1 December 2011