Our instructor Simon kindly agreed to write these questions/answers which are frequently asked by beginners. Please note that for various reasons we have not been able to post all the questions and the full answers on a public page so please log into BathStudent.com where you can see the full version. If you are not already a member then you can join HERE.

What are the ten points of external posture?

In the Li system and indeed other martial arts systems, good postural alignment is an essential pre-requisite to achieve fluidity in movement. Through good postural alignment we can achieve a state of natural relaxation. The 10 points of external posture help students to understand how to align their body.

Why do we hold our hands facing up and down?

Whilst executing the form, hand positions will vary, palms will point upwards, downward and sideways. The aim being to ensure that the hands are positioned in the right place to perform a specific technique.

What is the best time and place to train? How often should I practice?

There are several answers to this question.

1. Historically: It is said that training should be done one hour after sunrise and one hour before sunset. And, that training is best done under a large tree because the trees help to purify the air and energy fields.

2. Practically: Having struggled with training and the demands of modern life, I understand that it is not always possible to train in the most efficacious places or times of the day. So, I suggest one tries set aside time to train regularly in a quiet space, and practice training routines when ever they can find the time. Our bodies have what, some call muscle memory, and through regular practice we can allow muscle memory to take over the basic movements of the form. Freeing the mind allows us to be more aware of what is happening in the body and the surrounding environment.

How often should I practice?

Well, this depends upon the individual. Generally, at the BUSU club we would aim to learn the basic stances and arm movements of Li Style Tai Chi short form in one year. Once the basic movements of the short form are learnt, they are refined by regular practice. If you are very busy try setting aside 10-15 minutes to train every day, if you can allow yourself more time try to train in the mornings before you get into the rush of the day, and some time in the evenings. Remember it is best to train on an empty stomach, so try to avoid eating anything in the preceding 2 hours.

How can I use Tai chi to focus me under difficult situations such as exams?

Good question but to find the answer you'll have to join the BUSU Tai Chi Club and come along to our training sessions.

How many moves are there in the form all together?

The entire form is one continuous movement, so in one sense the answer it is just one! Of course in class when we changes from stance to stance, we consider each stance as a move, and the form is comprised of 140 stances. In the University class we generally focus on the first 50 stances which is referred to as the short form.

What other types of form are there, will we do them in class?

There are several other forms that are considered as part of the Li Tai Chi system, these are Flying Hands, Staff, Sword and Silk. Each form represents one of the five elements (earth, metal, water, wood, fire). Generally, in each year academic year we will do the Tai Chi Chuan Form and one of the forms above. Over the past two years we have done learn part of the Flying Hands Form and some of the Staff Form.

How do I join Tai Chi?

You can join the club at our stand in the Freshers Faye or at any time during the year. Or come along to a training session and make yourself known to the club Instructor who will introduce you to a club official.

Training is on Thursday evenings 1930 - 2100 in the Chaplaincy. We recommend wearing loose/baggy clothes so you can move easily.

What are the nine points of the feet and why are they important?

The 9 points of the feet are a fundamental tool for developing good posture and natural relaxation. To find out more, join the BUSU Tai Chi Club and come along to our training sessions.

What is sticky hands, will it hurt?

In the Li system we have an exercise that we call I Fu Shou, which means adhering or sticky hands. It is a partner exercise, where each participant uses either one or two arms to try and upset the balance of the other, without losing their own balance. The exercise can be frustrating at times especially if your partner constantly takes your balance. However, with practice most people can develop a good sense of balance and learn how to feel the balance of their partner through the light hand contact.

What are the names of all the different stances, and how many are there? What are the weight distributions/etc for each one?

There are thirteen basic stances which are used in the Tai Chi form but there are many others in the system. As for the rest of the query, come along to a class.

How does K'ai Men relate to Tai Chi? Are they the same? What is the difference between Taoist Yoga and regular yoga?

K'ai Men is usually translated as 'open door' and refers to a collection of Taoist Yoga exercises. When Kai Men exercises are performed, the body is relaxed and each movement is co-ordinated to the natural breath pattern. Unlike other forms of yoga, in Kai Men the postures are not held and each movement flows into the next. Through regular practice the body is gently encouraged to soften and open a little further.

The benefits of K'ai Men include improved general health and physical fitness, greater stamina, increased flexibility and suppleness. In addition it softens the muscle tissues and helps clear the meridians, the channels that carry Chi energy throughout the body. K'ai Men is generally taught in conjunction with Tai Chi.

What is the Chang Ming Diet? What are the benefits of it?

The Chang Ming diet can be used for detoxifying the body, and/or more generally as an aid to healthy living. Generally the guidelines suggest that we should eat plenty of natural foods that are readily digested by the body, and reduce or even exclude such things as food additives, colourings, refine sugars, strong spices etc,

Adopting this approach to our diet helps to reduce stress on body systems and as a consequence improves the body's natural healing and rejuvenating powers.

Where can I do more Tai Chi? (e.g. in town, on courses)

The UBSA Tai Chi Club is affiliated to the Taoist Arts Organisation so members of the club can join weekly training sessions at local clubs around the country (and Europe) and regional weekend workshops. The club instructor also runs a class in the centre of Bath on Monday evenings, and if you are interested in joining the class please sends an email to Simon at jadewayhealth@hotmail.co.uk .

Though, affiliate membership will allow you to join any Taoist Arts Organisation club around the country, each Instructor will require you to obtain student insurance

I want to help! How do I become a committee member?

Talk to a committee member.

Are there gradings in Tai Chi? How do I get them? How many are there?

Chee Soo did introduce a grading system for the Li Family Arts, and the TAO have maintained the system for Tai Chi, Feng Shou & Chi Shu. Adult student grades run from 9th Pan through to 1st Pan and Instructor grades run from 1st Tengi (similar to black belt) upwards. Generally, it takes between five to ten years to achieve a Tengi grade.

Gradings are carried out at TAO National Courses by Senior Instructors or the Technical Director. The UBSA Tai Chi Club Instructor normally has details of these courses but they may also be found on the TAO web site (www.leefamilystyle.com).

I want to practice at home but I don't know where to begin, any hints?

SIMON????????????????????

I love your sexy uniforms. How do I get one?!

Students are not obliged to wear any uniform at the University class, but would be required to wear the TAO uniform if they wish to join the public class in Bath or attended any of the TAO national training courses.

The UBSA Tai Chi Club considered having a uniform but in the end decided that it was more sensible to utilise the TAO uniform. Uniforms can be purchased from the clubs coach.

But do I have to wear white socks with those silly shoes? Aren't these huge boots better?

Yes, if you are going to wear the uniform, then you should wear white socks and black shoes.

The type of shoes you were depends upon you own personal preference. Since we are attempting to feel our balance through our feet it is important that we use suitable shoes, so they should be flat, flexible and comfortable.