18 Step Progression
Often it can be confusing for both beginners and even long term students to evaluate their skill and path ahead due to the many methods, forms and styles of Taijiquan currently practiced by both bonafide teachers and charlatans who will have you believe you can knock people over without touching them or attain enlightenment through qigong secret methods.
Taijiquan is not magic. It is a very subtle, refined and complex internal martial art that requires guidance from a qualified teacher, hard practice over a long time and intelligence and some natural ability on the part of the student to understand how to train to get results.
The phenomenon of qi energy moving through the body should not be focused on or visualized when doing the form but rather the correct posture and co-ordination trained so the acupuncture channels become unblocked, ones body and intent become connected and one can use Taiji both as a healing art to rejuvenate mind and body and as a complete martial art system for fitness and self defence. Long term practitioners of Taiji who are serious about getting real Gong Fu also know how important martial art ethics, Chinese culture and Yin / yang philosophy are in the overall understanding of Taiji theory and training. The Taoist concept of “ziran” or naturalness, not forcing ones progress, is advised as a starting point of calming the mind through breathing in the present moment and feeling deeply your body as you put one foot in front of the other to start the journey and enjoy the view and friends you meet along the way.
The following 18 stages described below are a pedagogical indicator for teachers who have real professional Taiji schools and are teaching long term in one place so students can train there weekly with their Laoshi ( teacher) or Shifu ( Master)
It is not mandatory but offered as guidance to other teachers and to help students see the path ahead and hopefully stimulate some conversation about where one is in ones training.
Beginners
Stage 1) 10 week intro course of Silk reeling, qigong ( no level yet, no t-shirt)
Green t-shirt
Stage 2) Beginners Level 1 Silk reeling moving steps
Stage 3) Beginners Level 2. Shi san shi 13 step form
White t-shirt
Stage 4) Beginners Level 3. Shi ba shi 18 step form
Improvers
Navy t-shirt
Stage 5) Improvers Level 1. Lao Jia Yi Lu ( Xue jia zi stage)
Maroon t-shirt
Stage 6) Improvers Level 2. 5 types of Push hands and sword technique ( Lian Jia zi stage) Lao Jia yi lu revision
Stage 7) Improvers Level 3. Sword form
Purple t-shirt
Sabre technique and form and Lao jia yi lu (nei jia zi stage)
Intermediate
Stage 8) int. Level 1. Cannon Fist
Yellow t-shirt
Stage 9) int.Level 2 cai, lie , zhou , kao applications and Xin jia yi lu
Stage 10) int. Level 3. Guan Dao and Lao Jia yi lu refinement ( Shun jia zi stage)
Advanced
Black t-shirt
Stage 11) advanced Level 1 Competition form and basic push hands applications
Stage 12) advanced Level 2 Double sabres ( Pan jia zi stage of Lao Jia yi lu)
Cotton Yi-Fu
Stage 13) advanced Level 3 Xin Jia Er Lu (Pao Chui) and competitive push hands
Master Level
Silk Yi -Fu
14) Master Level 1. Spear
15) Master Level 2 Double Stick and Long Pole ( Chai jia zi stage of Lao Jia yi lu)
Yi-Fu of one’s own choice
16) Master Level 3 Complete revision and supplementary training aspects
One needs to have passed to the (Yong jia zi stage) of Lao Jia yi lu before moving to the next stage when one no longer is corrected by ones Shifu but can still recieve advice on Tai Chi theory and leadership.
17) Senior Master
18) Grandmaster
Depending on one’s amount and intensity of practice along with one’s natural abilities each stage will vary in length. The point at which one becomes a disciple or is recognised as a Shifu varies widely. Usually to become a disciple to a Master, one needs at least 10 years practice and have sufficient skill and good character to be accepted.