“It should be understood that Tai Chi is a highly individual art, and no two masters; even at the same school, will perform it in exactly the same way.”  Lu Hui Ching

This quote mimics what I tell my students all the time, Taiji is a living art!

We all need to be trained in the fundamental basics with the core principles ingrained into our practice but we must understand and accept that each and every time we do the forms something will change. I for one can testify that my form changes all the time due to a multitude of reasons.

Some of which are:

Time of day

Energetics of the room

Personal energy

My intent for each particular form

Solo practice vs teaching demo

Lesson being taught

Incorporation or focus on specific principles

Etc.

With this understanding a student should strive to learn, incorporate and practice the core fundamentals and principles but should be flexible enough in his/her own mind to accept variations that arise. I see this as an exercise in increasing self-awareness, and that’s a good thing!

Peace

Rod