Form Progression within the Nam Hoa System

The forms are tools to learn the principles of Qigong and Taiji. They are not the goals themselves, but enable us to learn the principles to use throughout our entire life.

1. Longevity Tree – To build an awareness that there is an Energy System within the body, and all around us. This energy system supports and is supported by the circulatory, nervous, respiratory, lymphatic, urinary, endocrine, digestive, immune, muscular, and skeletal systems. An introduction to basic principles of mind, body, breath, balance, the dan tien, integration, alignment, sung, etc.
2. Nam Hoa Yang
   1. Application – To build an awareness of Taiji as an internal martial art. Begin to build strength in the lower body, to understand the importance of moving with the whole body, and “the root is in the feet; issued through the legs; controlled by the waist
3. Tiger
4. Tai Chi Chuan – To build an awareness of precision, and sophistication of synchronization (detailed coordination of movement). This is not the same as a regiment of structure, but emphasizes the importance of body awareness and using the mind to direct all movement. We don’t micro-manage the individual parts of the movements, we accept that the mind “visualizes” the movement, and the body as a whole will get there.
5. Yin Yang – To build an awareness of the ever-changing Taiji, from Yin to Yang and back again. The circular aspects, which can be large or small, fast or slow. The “opposites”, where there is up, there is also down, and where there is left there is also right, and where there is forwards there is also backwards. To recognize that these opposites are relative terms; when is a movement Yin, and when does it become Yang, and then back again to Yin. It's our choice. There is Yin within Yang, and Yang within Yin. Finally, to let it all go.

Finally, like the five-element theory, the forms are circular. What we learn as we progress through the forms deepens our understanding and practice of the earlier forms, thereby also helping the later forms. Of course, the same principles can be learned from a single form, but the system of forms provides a greater benefit, a system of progression that guides the student for their own exploration.

Tom & Elise Wolf, September 2012