Things You'll Need:
- Cheng Man-ching tai chi instructor
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Step 1
Find a tai chi instructor who uses the Cheng Men-ching style, as opposed to one who focuses exclusively the Yang style long form. This form of tai chi is more popular in the United States, since it easier from a beginner's standpoint, and doesn't require extensive training beforehand. The Cheng Men-ching style was actually the first form of tai chi to be taught in the United States (by Cheng Men-ching himself).
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Step 2
Learn to practice each of the 37 movements of the Cheng Man-ching tai chi form. The form should take around 10 minutes to perform fully, in comparison to the 30 to 40 minutes it takes to complete the Yang style long form. Note that the Cheng Man-ching form is similar to the Yang style long form, and merely omits most of the repetitions.
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Step 3
Use the power and momentum you gain from each movement to flow into the next movement when you practice the Cheng Man-ching tai chi form. This differs from other tai chi forms, where each movement within the form has a distinct beginning and ending, corresponding with your breathing patterns. With the Cheng Man-ching form, the transitions between movements are more fluid, with your energy building and swelling for the entire form.
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Step 4
Note the "Fair Lady's Hand" form during the Cheng Men-ching style, which is exclusive to this particular style of tai chi. With this hand form, the wrist and hand are relaxed and open. Note how this differs from the Yen and Ying hand forms in traditional tai chi practice, where the wrists are held straight and stiff in relation to the lower arm.
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Step 5
Practice the Cheng Men-ching form of tai chi with diligence, continuing to perfect your style over your lifetime. While many of Cheng Men-ching's disciples claimed that he taught secret methods which accelerated the learning process, the man himself maintained that perfection of tai chi could only be reached through dedicated practice.
