Your Tai Chi training will generally begin with the 119 movement sequence known as a long form. It’s 119 different techniques which are joined together and practiced in one long flowing sequence.
This long form practice gives a lot of benefits straight away and forms the foundation of the art, upon which the other practices are built.
The long form is traditionally said to be like a long river, with no gaps in the flow of the movements. By relaxing deeply and becoming highly aware of the intricate flow of our bodies movements, we train the body to become healthier and the mind to become tranquil and calm.
Breathing gets deeper and helps to bring more oxygen into the various tissues of the body. It also helps to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which makes us feel calmer, more relaxed and more at ease.
The deep breathing also acts as an internal massage to the inner organs of the body, making them function better.
Blood circulation is enhanced through the usage of the entire bodies muscular system, particularly the big muscles of the legs and hips, as well as the back and core. Additionally, we use every single joint, opening and closing them, activating the smaller blood vessels and improving the circulation this way through the mechanical movement and loading.
Balance is challenged and developed through cat like step transitions and single legged stances.
Posture is improved by meticulous alignment protocols, which are carefully monitored as we flow from one technique to another carefully and slowly.
Coordination is highly developed through ever increasing awareness of all the different moving parts of the body, from large movements then down to almost imperceptible microscopic movements.
We learn and practice how to use our bodies in highly integrated ways, practicing the flowing martial techniques in a way that recruits the most muscle and elastic tissue possible in an extremely wide variety of ways, utilising optimised body posture. This makes us be able to express our natural strength potential far more effective. If we are small we can still generate a lot of power.
Modern neuroscientists speculate that our modern brains and minds are unbalanced and disembodied. The 119 movement hand form, practiced correctly, goes a long way to helping reclaim a healthy balance and achieve a healthy, balanced body and mind.
The form is learned four ways. Firstly the main structure of the techniques are learned. Then we learn to make these structures flow. After this we learn it in mirror image and then finally we learn to practice the sequence in reverse. These different practices provide a thorough education and training in body and mind coordination.
