The instructor should have at least a basic working knowledge and ability with m

ost of the following,

Basics of Chinese Medicine including Yin and Yang theory
Chi Kung including an understanding of what Chi is and what it is not. -Chi
is very explainable in Western medical and physics terms and the actual meaning
and application of Chi Energy would make complete sense to any Western medical d
octor, physicist, biologist, chemist, engineer etc etc.. Unfortunately, Chi is o
ften explained in some sort of metaphysical mumbo jumbo way by teachers who eith
er do not understand it or who feel they have something to gain by making and ke
eping it mysterious and elusive.
Knowledge of sources of Chi
An understanding of Chi Blockages and how to remove them using Tai Chi. This
includes understanding the difference between Excess and Stagnant Chi and knowi
ng how to restore proper balance and flow in the body using Tai Chi.
The Meridians and pressure points as used in Acupuncture and how Tai Chi sti
mulates proper flow of Chi through them
The 3 Treasures Chi, Jing & Shen/Yi
The 3 Powers Heaven, Earth and Man
Sung
A Chinese term that refers to Relaxation Techniques and Methods.
Breathing methods including how to breathe to beneficially lower the heart r
ate and blood pressure in order to get the stress reduction and circulatory bene
fits that Tai Chi is famous for.
Body Mechanics and body positioning that is truly based in knowledge of skel
etal alignment and structure. This includes how to properly align the spine and
how the midsection should be positioned and how the knees should be aligned to t
he feet and the foot placement for good knee health that utilizes the musculatur
e of the leg and protects the tendons and ligaments.
Natural body responses, actions and movement.
Push Hands This is a practice method of Tai Chi that is usually played as a p
hysical game(s) but can also be utilized by students to simply learn better inte
rnal sensitivity to their own body and structure and internal skill of rooting a
nd Sung relaxing.
Internal Principles that begin with understanding how to drop excess tension
in order to develop deep relaxation while moving and very powerful physical ali
gnments that involve moving in ways that easily engage whole body power to whate
ver task you would desire to apply it to. These eventually go as far as one can
imagine in the direction of being able to feel inside yourself and others to man
ipulate the internal organs, body structure and energy.
Mind Intent including a real understanding of the difference between Yi and
Shen
Jing Energetic Expressions for health and for self defense including:
Peng, Lu, Ji, Ahn
Jan Si Jing silk reeling chan si jing
Rooting
Fa Jing
Pulling Silk
Coiling
Expanding and Contracting
Condensing and Releasing
Listening
Ting Jing
Central Equilibrium
Dong Jing
And many many others
Wu Chi and How to help students actually feel the energy within the first se
veral weeks of study. Our students are usually able to feel the electrical energ
y within the first 2-3 classes. This is critical to getting the famous Tai Chi r
esults for arthritis as seen in studies.
Tai Chi body frame training
Large, medium and small frame. This includes bei
ng able to perform the entire Tai Chi set in a very limited space of several fee
t as well as being able to utilize the great deal of space that is most commonly

seen being utilized by Tai Chi practitioners.

4 ounces moves 1,000 pounds principles and concepts applied
How to perform the Tai Chi moves in a weight bearing manner in order to get
the bone density results as seen in studies performed at Emory University.
How to utilize and practice Tai Chi in a manner that will rehabilitate injur
ies and physical conditions such as back problems. This is person and injury spe
cific and is not just practicing the form moves the same way that everyone else
in class does. Real Tai Chi for rehabilitation purposes is specific to the indiv
idual and any real Tai Chi instructor knows how to teach it this way. It also in
cludes how to intelligently modify Tai Chi moves so that a person who is elderly
or disabled can still get the full benefits of practice. This includes such thi
ngs as being able to perform the Tai Chi while sitting down.
Various and different ways to practice the Tai Chi moves in order to work wi
th different personalities and mental states to develop different attributes and
abilities including the ability to become more grounded and mentally focused an
d to how to mentally relax and get rid of body tensions including headaches depe
nding on what is needed. Part of this refers to the idea that everyone should no
t be doing the same thing the same way. From a medical standpoint Tai Chi is ver
y individualized. So, if the teacher claims they only practice or/and teach Tai
Chi for health then they should be quite knowledgeable in this area and if they
are not then not only do they not know the self defense aspects of Tai Chi but t
hey don t understand much about the health aspect of practicing Tai Chi either and
you would do better to keep searching.
Ting Jing
Listening energy
A heightened attention. While
includes a heightened sensitivity in the hands.

ting

is translated as listening, it

Dong Jing
Understanding energy Noticing the direction that a force is moving towards you. D
ong Jing refers to being aware of an opponent s intention.
Hua Jing
Neutralizing energy Redirecting of energy due to an understanding of timing and us
e of circles and angles.
Fa Jing
Discharging energy The ability to apply energy due to an alignment of proper body
mechanics, relaxation, and focused intent.