RobP3 wrote:The large frame was invented as preparation work. Like I said before, "real" large frame is very open and stretchy. I was taught (by Yang Family lineage) that practice of large frame replaces the need to do exercises like the three circles routine in order to make the body limber.
One time ago, I also thought that the large frame was a "preparatory" thing. There's a common view that you should make large movements first and small movements later. But I don't agree with this any longer. I think it's the wrong way to learn. In Tai Chi, the small frames were invented before the larger frames. The Yang "Middle frame" that already looks quite large was also developed later than the small frame. The thing is that if you over-do large movements before understanding internal movements, you will learn a completely wrong way of using your body. The real "big" movements are necessarily not big for the by stander, but internally, they can feel "big". What is necessary for Tai Chi is things like to learn how to coordinate the whole spine, from the kua, to the spot behind of the dantian and how to coordinate spine with the movements of the lower ribs and scapula. This is the kind of work you need before working with a bigger frame (and eventually connect to a larger frame). If not, if you just start with externally large movements using coordinated limbs, you will just make big visually movements, but there will be no synchronisation with the dantian and you will not learn how to draw out the internal movement, or "energy", right out through your arms and fingertips. Big bold movements are good in many ways, but it won't teach you anything about generating internal movement. Also, a too big frame (like how modern Yang short forms are usually taught) is not balanced, it doesn't have the stability and the angles that are necessary for Tai Chi martial applications. So if you only focus on big frame, you will end up with an external exercise that in best case is a good meditative exercise, but have very little use for martial function. If you start working like this, you will working in the wrong direction, just in the opposite way you want to go. Then the question is if you are able to or willing to re-learn what you already have learned, to make a 180 degree turn. So IMO, internal movements and small frame body alignment should be taught first or at the same time as a medium or large frame. Then you can start developing what is important from the start and of course, start from the right end. But of course, my view is contradictory to what most people believe.