Last week’s blog introduced the philosophy, history, and aims of the Taoist Tai Chi Society (TTCS). As in life, there will always be controversy, proponents, and critics, and Tai Chi is no different. However, I was curious as to why such a great deal of controversy surrounds Taoist Tai Chi (TCC), so I reviewed feedback from TCC and traditional Tai Chi students and instructors found in articles and martial arts forums. This research has allowed me to uncover differences between traditional Tai Chi and TCC in terms of postures/form, principles, and instruction.

Postures and Form
Master Moy added stretching and turning to the traditional Yang Style form developed by Yang Cheng-fu to “bring health to more people,” while focusing on the longevity principles of Taoist teachings. According to the TTCS, the stretching aspects of the form improve the functioning of the joints, tendons, and ligaments which subsequently improve flexibility and reduce age-related deterioration.

While TTCS states that leaning forward stances is meant to stretch the spine, critics assert that this stretching distorts the body. One goes so far as to call TTC a “stretching exercise that only resembles Tai Chi to the uninformed observer.”
Critics feel that the TCC postures close the kua (hip folds), stick out the backside, stiffen the back leg, lock the elbows and knees, and are too front-weighted and extended. This results in shoulder tension, instability, and blocked qi. In addition, the postures ar neither centered nor rooted.

Principles
Principles, including knowledge of qi, rooting, yin and yang, and other subtle aspects are the foundation of traditional Tai Chi and are taught early in a student’s training.

Internal principles are not taught while learning the 108 postures in the TTC beginners classes. Rather focus is on simply learning the form, with principles incorporated in later classes.
Several of the TTCS principles that are meant to be a part of every posture are unique to TTC, such as squaring of the hips and weight placement/balance.
It was reported that one of the “rebels” in Toronto taught internal principles and was removed.

Instruction
TTCS is a volunteer instructor organization, and instructors were required to meet the standards set by Master Moy. However, many feel that after his death, the focus and training of the TTCS underwent many changes.

Beginning TTC students learn the 108 movements at an external level in the first three months of classes. Detailed instruction is incorporated in later classes.
TTC students who complete the beginners class are promoted to “beginners instructor.”
When asked, TTC instructors do not stop and refine technique in the beginners class.
TTC “continuing instructors” are more proficient and are the ones who refine a student’s form.
Traditional Tai Chi instructors believe the beginner’s class is the root and if not taken seriously, students develop bad form and bad Tai Chi.
One TTC student stated that the focus of instruction shifted several times while he was there because of government and internal pressure.
Martial applications are not taught, but at least one student was told to “pretend that a person is attacking and you are blocking, but we do not do martial applications.”
TTC training includes a social side, meditation, and chanting, as well as unique postures and exercises.
TTC instructors don’t teach anything other than that approved by the TTCS, or they risk losing their classes and/or location.
TTC instructors, unlike traditional instructors, are discouraged when it comes to instructional initiative and innovation, and are prevented or strongly discouraged from studying other forms.
A traditional instructor went so far as to state that TTC training becomes a “mild calisthenic, not hurting anybody, but not giving the benefits that traditional Taijiquan instruction can offer.

“Learning taijiquan is easy but to correct a wrong style is difficult. And if these people pass on their mistake to others, they will be doing a great harm.” ~ Yang Cheng-fu, developer of the original Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan.

A 2nd degree black belt stated that the TTC’s form is “a generalized beginner form practiced by students waiting for a master who will never come.” Obviously, he is referring to the death of Moy, which changed most of the focus according to students of TTC.

The TTCS states that the aim of the training is to eliminate weaknesses and bad habits “so that our original nature of goodness can again shine brightly, guiding our thoughts and actions.” They achieve this by promoting the “virtues of compassion and service to others.”

While both traditional Tai Chi and TTC both teach for health, the aims and focus veer off in different directions beyond that. Therefore, it is important that the potential student of either traditional or TTC be clear about what type of training and outcome they are looking for.