The word 'student has a latin root In the verb 'studere', meaning to be eager or diligent and by extension, to study. A student may just be someone engaged in the study of a particular subject, or s/he may be devoted to learning. Study itself Includes suggestions of examining, analyslng, thinking, interest and purpose. Yet how many students of Tal Chi Chuan practise with this attitude?
In Chinese martial arts there are various types of student. Firstly, there is a family structure, so students are classified as older/younger brothers/sisters according to when they started learning from a particular teacher. By the same token, one of your teacher's fellow students would then be your elder or younger aunt or uncle.
A general term for students of a master is 'tu di' meaning literally 'younger brothers who are followers'. More succinctly, we can call them apprentices. Students are then divided into inside and outside the door students. 'Inside the door students' are normally referred to as 'Men Ren' meaning 'door people', or more properly, 'disciples' because they have undergone a ritual ceremony with their teacher.
In Tai Chi Chuan we undergo this ceremony prior to being taught Nei Kung. Traditionally, only after the student and teacher have known one another for 6 years did the teacher offer to teach the Nei Kung but nowadays the period is usually much shorter (but still long enough for student and teacher to get to know one another properly).
Some teachers expect almost blind obedience from their students. This is not a healthy thing. Of course, the student should respect the teacher's greater experience and knowledge but this should not require him to ape the teacher's every action and opinion. Then again, some students are looking for a guru to direct their every thought and action, rather than a teacher. This is a path with dangers for students and teachers alike. It is as bad to question nothing as it is to question everything.
Many people say that the evolution from student to master takes 10, 15 or 20 years. They are all wrong: The measure is not in terms of time but in terms of ability. My teacher became a full-time professional Tai Chi instructor at the age of 19, after only 3 years full-time tuition from Qi Min-xuan. I know other so-called masters who have trained for 20, 30 or even 40 years who are still at best, mediocre.
Some say Tai Chi Chuan is more difficult to use than hard style martial arts. I disagree as regards the system that I teach. I believe it is easier to learn because the basic techniques are freer as well as more versatile. In particular, the defensive techniques are more efficient and require less physical effort on the part of the student. Also, many martial arts are taught as if the opponent can only be from the same art or as if he is a complete simpleton. I do not teach in this way.
Powerful students are not the best; intelligent students are not the best; talented students are not the best. The first requirement is spirit. With unquenchable spirit it is possible to beat stronger and better opponents. With power, technique and intelligence as well, such a student has the potential to become a master. How to acquire spirit? Practise. Really practise!
A good student :
Too many students spend time talking rather than doing. Learn by watching and listening to others - not just the teacher, and learn to discriminate. If in doubt ask. It is a major weakness of many students that they don't ask questions and when they do, they ask the wrong question, such as 'What if..?' or 'How do I get out of..?'
No teacher can teach you everything, even if they wanted to (which many don't). However, by practising certain basic techniques which follow key principles, the student will not find it necessary to ask the wrong question so often.
If you know something, then be positive. Show that you know it. If you don't know something, then be positive. Admit you don't know it and seek to find it out. When learning something new, analyse it in the light of what you already know and, in turn, use new ideas and information to analyse your old knowledge.
There is no point in bigger and stronger students relying mainly on their strength against smaller opponents. On the other hand if techniques are not performed properly, perhaps out of a misguided sense of gallantry towards a female opponent for example, then that person is given a false sense of security.
It is a deplorable trait amongst certain male students to attempt to correct female students of the same or even of greater experience than themselves. I once saw a male student of six months' experience attempt to correct (wrongly) a female student with three years' experience.
However, experienced and capable students do have a responsibility to advise and encourage beginners. They must accept that they have no divine right to always defeat every beginner. It is not enough to turn up at a class once a week and expect the teacher to do everything for you. It is up to you to get the most out of your training in a class and to work on your own training. This is not just a physical approach but includes reading and analysing.
Training should be honest. If you feel you can beat someone, then do it. I have no time for instructors I've met in places like Taiwan who, wanting to impress Westerners with their skills and expecting to beat them merely because they have been training for a certain number of years, then get angry with those who fail to play the part and allow themselves to be thrown around. In their way, masters must be students too.