Ian Cameron January 1998 To do Tai Chi "inch by inch" tells you how to study and practice. Then slower you learn the quicker you learn. This doesn't mean that Tai Chi becomes merely a technical exercise. You must feel "inch by inch". This focuses the whole of the practitioner moment to moment. Let's take the hand form as an example. During the performance of the form, if you were to take a photograph of any part of the form, it should look right. That is, there should be no deficiencies in any part of the form. Postures arn't static, although many can be practiced in this way, they must during the form be done in a fluid and focused manner. This practice will lead to a refining of the form. One should take care not to artificially manufacture this refinement. It should be allowed to happen naturally because of the practice. In this way it isn't done for external appearances only. When you practice over a long period in this way, all other aspects learned subsequently will be influenced. The coordination learned during the hand form is carried through into the different aspects. Although the other aspects differ in appearance, they are really extensions of the same coordination, which is rooted in the hand form. When we talk about the whole person, we mean the mind and body. This is essential in the development of Tai Chi. "Stillness in movement" and "inch by inch" are closely related. The mind should be calm and ever present within the movement. Do not try and make the mind a blank, just concentrate on whatever you are doing. If you find that your concentration has wandered, just keep bringing it back to what you are doing. Don't let yourself be drawn out. There are a few ways of looking at "inch by inch". It helps you develope the patience to allow your Tai Chi to unfold. This unfolding is a way of naturally developing your Tai Chi. You can only train at the point where you are just now. This is where your practice is focused. With continued pratice this point moves as you develope. So, this idea of "inch by inch" can be seen as small steps within a process, no matter where you are within this process, you are still taking these steps. It is important to keep going even if the steps feel like backwards steps, this reinforces your training and strengthens your Tai Chi. It is through practice like this that we create the conditions for our Tai Chi to flourish.