Training order

In a loose sense

Have a decent idea about what it is we are working on...internal mechanics, compression, tactics of following

Get some basic 'shape'. This means 5CS along with some more detailed models like PEARLS, BALL AND CHAIN, SINKING, etc.

A lot of these models are addressing the same thing and what they are trying to do is point you in a certain direction. So the thing to do is to start to understand what it is that you're trying to do with these models.

So when we say get some shape what we mean is to relax, profoundly, and to achieve some degree of gravitational alignment. And the lion's share of this is accomplished by mental adjustments.

Then you should invest a lot of time in the jibengong to loosen up your body.

Everything up until this point is predicated on awareness. I want you to have a basic handle on all of the above then what you do is move on to developing your outreaching skills.

Once you have an idea about how to use your body and also how to direct your mental activities can you move into two basic practices one of which is solo, and the other paired.

For solo practice you do the form. We will start with a 12-step form. It is the best way to practice all the movement priorities like move from Center, marrow draining/hand up you down, shift weight Underground and so on.

For partner work the main drill is Push Hands. But going hand-in-hand with that there are many Skill Drills.

Once you get the basic body shape and start to develop the compressive power you need to learn how to direct it. And that is the purview of Push Hands and the Skill Drills.

Everything on this list is cumulative.

after that we can do techniques, san shou, sparring, and all kinds of stuff.

but we cannot move forward into that area until the basic responses have been modified to align with intrinsic strength and effortless power. the reason is that in those practices, you look for result, and if you haven't changed your approach, then you will simply fall back into what you did before.

at first, everyone is likely to be overwhelmed with all the models, exercises, drills, compression development and such, but it's just like learning any other technique or skill. you grasp one level of things and they become second nature, and then you move on to the next level of distinctions.