Frequently Asked Questions about Clear Tai Chi

What style of Tai Chi do you teach?

Clear Tai Chi is it’s own style. You could call it a modified Yang style that is heavily influenced by Wu style with some aspects of Chen and other styles.

Our movements are usually practiced the way you see them in Yang style. However, our primary push hands method comes directly from Ma Yueh Liang (a Wu Style Master.) When we learn combat applications we learn how to apply many different variations of each movement. This often includes Wu Style and sometimes Chen style apps.

The primary focus of Clear Tai Chi is on developing a high degree of internal skill (Internal Kung Fu) through the study and practice of the Tai Chi principles that you see across all quality Tai Chi styles.

What sets do you teach?

We use the Big 8 Move Set for most of our training. Long term students also learn 13, 16 & 48 move sets and each set uses all the moves you already know from the previous set. However we focus much more of our training on building internal skill than we do on learning sets.

Do you teach any Tai Chi weapons?

Students can learn to use Wind & Fire Wheels and Tai Chi sword if they wish. However our focus is on developing internal skill that can be applied in any situation with any tool you may have. We do not have any DVDs on the Wind & Fire Wheels or the Tai Chi Sword at this time.

How long does training take?

That depends on your previous experience, how much you practice and what level of skill you wish to achieve.

Here is a rough guide to give you an idea:

  • Level 1: 4 – 6 months
  • Level 2: 2 – 4 years
  • Level 3: Depends on You
  • Level 4: Depends on You
  • Combat Tai Chi: Depends on You
  • Advanced Combat Tai Chi: Depends on You
  • Basic Qi Gong instructor: 3 – 6 months

When do I become an instructor / earn a black sash?

  • Level 1: Basic Skills Instructor – This allows you to teach a basic Tai Chi class and be listed on our website
  • Level 2: Instructor (Black Sash)
  • Level 3: Senior Instructor (Sifu)
  • Level 4: Master Instructor
  • Combat Tai Chi: Combat Tai Chi Instructor (Black Sash)
  • Chi Energy Activation, Cultivation & Flow instructor: This allows you to teach Chi Activation, Cultivation & Flow

Do certificates indicate long distance learning?

No, because every student is held to the same standards. Rank in Clear Tai Chi is Skills Based. Certification is based on your understanding of the curriculum and you ability with the skills taught at each level.

Can I really learn from DVD?

Yes. We have many students who successfully study from dvd. Sigung Clear began making videos in 1995. He has now spent over 15 years refining his teaching methods so that students can learn from video.

We film our DVDs in a live workshop format so students are learning the material as we teach it. Common questions, errors and corrections are all put on video so you can also learn from them at home.

We also make ourselves available at workshops, through email, by phone and at Clear Tai Chi Online to answer questions you may have while training.

Do I need a training partner?

That depends on what you want to learn. A training partner will greatly speed up your progress in the art and there are many skills that you simply cannot develop without a partner to practice with.

However here are a few dvds you can study when you don’t have someone to work with:

Does Si Gung Clear accept disciples? Do you offer a discipleship program?

Clear Tai Chi is a discipleship program. Every student is able to learn the entire system and we do not withhold information. In many Chinese systems only a handful of people (often as few as 1 or 2) are taught the complete system. Meanwhile many (often thousands) of hard working dedicated students are left out and only taught bits and pieces of a system mixed with bs and misdirection.

This practice is one of the leading causes of the sorry state of internal arts in the west and it goes against everything that Clear Tai Chi stands for.

Our mission is to help as many people as possible reach an advanced level of skill with Tai Chi so that we can put an end to the practice of withholding information and help Tai Chi once again live up to it’s name as the Supreme Ultimate Fist.

What shipping method do you use?

US orders are shipped via USPS first class mail. Large orders may be shipped via UPS. International orders are shipped via Air Mail.

How long does shipping take?

Most orders will ship within 1 to 3 days.

Shipping time on US orders is usually 3 – 5 business days though in rare cases it could take up to 10 business days. Shipping time on most International orders is usually 7 – 14 business days for Air Mail. Some countries with less reliable mail systems may take longer.

Do you offer refunds?

We do not offer refunds. However if a product is defective contact us at info@ClearsTaiChi.com and we will replace it right away.

Our membership site Clear Tai Chi Online does have a 30 day money back guarantee and some of our workshops feature a money back guarantee. (check each workshop for details.)

Comments

  1. hay would like to order some of the products ssuch as the 100 days internal package and such
    i live outside the US (middle east)

    any possibilty of getting the DVDs digitaly by download (dropBox and whatnots)?

    those are allot of DVDs to get by airmail and also im acatually not sure i have a working DVD in the house

  2. I’m new to your blog through a frnied and just love it! I took classes from Gurmukh when I was pregnant with my two sons and adore her. I still go to yoga several times a week at Golden Bridge, her studio in Los Angeles. She is a remarkable woman — you picked a good one!

  3. Hi guys I was just wondering with chi development I have read Sifu clears book in regards to chi gung how long should you stand in embrace the tree to gain any benefit? What is the best routine to gain benefit?

    • Matt Holker says

      Hi Brett,

      How long you should stand in “Embrace the Tree” depends on you. We have folks who do it for thirty seconds a day, and we have a visiting instructor from Israel in the school right now who tells me he normally does Wu Chi for twenty minutes a day and Embrace the Tree for another twenty minutes. It all depends on your level right now, and what you want to get out of the training. If your legs are shaking when you are done, you’ve probably over-done it. Otherwise I’d say you should go as long as you can in the time you have without adding tension to hold the posture. One long session is good. A few shorter sessions will serve you better.

      As for the “best’ routine to gain benefit, there isn’t one. It totally depends on what kind of benefit you want, how much and how often you can train, and your level of ability right now. You should be constantly analyzing and optimizing your training to suit your needs. There is no “One Size Fits All” training program in the Internal Arts. I realize that might not seem helpful, but it is the truth. What is best for you today might not be best tomorrow. We can provide you with many training options, but only you can determine the best way to make use of them.

      Good luck in your training!

      • Lisa M. Teets says

        Hi Matt,

        In class this past weekend you had a nice progression of the benefits of standing. Are you able to repeat that for me. I was listening intently and I didn’t write it down.

        Lisa

        • Matt Holker says

          Hi Lisa,

          Standing practice can be useful, but I was more talking about the benefits of the Rooting games we teach on the Root of Internal Power. When you play these games, you build your Root, which also means you are building up your energy. The way the games are played, you are building your Ting (sensitivity / listening) and Yi (mind skills). In order to get deeper / stronger root, you need to relax more, so you are developing Song / Sung / Soong. To have better Song and heavier Root without collapsing, you must improve your Structure / Posture. I’m sure there are things I am leaving out, but you can already see the point. Almost everything that an intermediate Tai Chi player should be working on comes directly off of these games!

  4. Do you teach qigong? I am learning qigong, but need help to open the main front and back meridian channels.

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