In classes at Chow Studio, Mr. Chow would teach the beginners and Mrs. Chow would teach the advanced students. In Mr. Chow’s form, an observant person might see some very advanced T’ai Chi, and although he didn’t talk about his unique variations of the form, if asked, he sometimes offered an elegant and insightful explication indicative of a sharp awareness of both extreme detail and the big picture, akin to a state the Buddhist Tulku Chogam Trungpa Rimpoche called panoramic awareness. His immaculate form exhibited circles within circles and seemed to follow the energy, although he would sometimes say, in his self depreciating manner, that his form wasn’t perfect like Mrs. Chow’s. It was, however, sometimes in the imperfections that a higher level of teaching might be found.
Beginners were taught that the angle of the hips and their rotation in the movements, as passed through the spine, shoulders, etc. generated a form in which all the parts worked together in a very efficient manner. As one came into balance and that balance became even finer with the elimination of the myriad extra movements learned by trial and error from prior experience, a far more relaxed state becomes possible. When one is in balance one doesn’t need constant muscle tension to keep from falling over. At this point (and not before) dividing for two parts, or the internalizing of the form, can have relevance.
Mrs Chow taught in “Parting the horse’s mane”, and “Fair lady at the shuttles” (before the second round hand), to divide the left and right side of the body so they would be able to move independently, folding and unfolding, adding a whole new layer of subtlety to one’s ability to shift one’s balance. It is out of this concept that a high level of ability in push hands (tusho’) is facilitated. T’ai Chi at this level becomes much more difficult to see for one not ready for this stage, as the movements become more internal, and not so easily observed. Learning becomes more a matter of internal experience than mere observation and copying, as in earlier stages. Although one needs to observe and copy to be able to approach these lessons, this alone isn’t sufficient. As one learns push hands, the skill comes into play through practice.
