The journey is unique to each individual. We all come to the practice from a different place and have our own reasons for walking the path.
Those who persevere with the training gain a quiet sense of accomplishment. An inner surety and confidence takes root. Such people grow as their art develops and continue a journey that will change every facet of their lives. They achieve something remarkable each day, re-awakening an inner joy as they continue their training.
Tai chi theory is akin to a Zen koan: clear to the insider but indecipherable to the novice.
Tao Te Ching, Chuang Tzu, The Art of War, I Ching, Miyamoto Musashi, Tai Chi Classics and the actual tai chi principles themselves are all pretty hard for a beginner to come to terms with.
It is like learning a new language.
We seek to perpetuate the art of tai chi. We want to pass it on, and every lesson is designed with this in mind. As with any artist, the teacher is very particular.
We want to make sure that every aspect has been thoroughly understood and retained. The standard is very high.
That entirely depends upon you. Everyone is different. There are so many variables.
Consider:
Have you set aside some time every day for practice?
How long is it?
Do you bring preconceptions with you to lessons?
What are your expectations?
Did you think it would be easy?
Are you open and receptive?
Do you have some plan/ambition in mind?
Are you studying the DVD's regularly?
Is tai chi part of your life or a one-a-week night school class?
Do you train with other students between classes?
Have you any existing health problems that might impede training?
Is your body entrenched in hard-style habits of resistance and stiffness?
When you train at home, is your recollection good or poor?
Do you respond well to corrections in class?
Can you admit your mistakes?
Do you learn from them?
Have you committed to private lessons as well as regular classes?
What is your awareness like?
If things do not work for you, do you become aggressive and push?
Where is your focus?
Your tai chi is only as good as you make it.
Learning the tai chi syllabus is not easy. We are not going to mislead you here.
It takes a lot of time and a lot of work.
However, you are welcome to work through the material at your own pace...
Feeling to be under pressure runs contrary to the very spirit of tai chi.
Be patient and allow that things take time:
What your body remembers is what is important for you at this particular stage of development.
What your mind forgets, your body is telling you it couldn't use anyhow at this time.
(Tsuchihashi)
People are not always happy with the reality of their situation. We teach the material, we revise it with you, we offer you practice partners and we pressure test your understanding. But only you can do the work.
This is not what most people want to hear. Tai chi skills cannot be purchased. You must use your mind and your body. And you must practice.
In tai chi you must always remain within your natural range of movement. Any stretching is done gently and never forced; the body is allowed to open by itself, rather than be put under duress.
By encouraging the joints to be free, mobility increases radically and the body can move more comfortably. Tai chi should never strain or hurt the body.
Some movements may feel uncomfortable if you have bad postural habits and this is to be expected - your body is already used to set movements and poise - and the tai chi is gently changing these.
Tai chi requires the student to perform every movement in a comfortable, relaxed manner, whilst maintaining optimal structural alignment relative to the opponent.
At no time should your use of strength exceed 4 ounces of pressure, nor should you allow more than 4 ounces to be placed upon you.
Force is never used against force. Every action should be a whole-body movement rather than independent limb action.
There are no conventional punches or kicks; the body employs a whipping action to throw the limb out when striking.
Tai chi is circular in movement and application - it must follow the way of nature, the path of least resistance.
Tai chi is concerned with the how. It is process-oriented; paying attention to the way in which you do things rather than just the result.
Beyond the physical tai chi training there is a complex theoretical, philosophical, spiritual side to the art. People have spent centuries engrossed in its mysteries.
Being engaged in the unravelling of ancient secrets is a great reason to stay alive. You will need those 120 years.
Suppose you buy a car in 2020 and use it very rarely. In 2026 you decide to sell the car and take it to a dealership.
The mileage is unusually low for a car of its age. Yet the car is still 6 years old chronologically. In terms of wear and tear the car is 6 months old.
Tai chi is about spending your energy frugally. That way, as you get older, your wear and tear is unusually low for a person of your age.
Long held to be an excellent anti-aging regime, tai chi may indeed be the perfect exercise (Harvard Medical School). The art is not as easy to learn as people seem to think.
It takes dedication, time, patience and the application of your mind as well as your body. The training is concerned with re-energising the body.
