Definition

The word 'lesson' has two common definitions:

1. A structured period of time where learning occurs

2. A moral or message

Class

Tai chi lessons should not be comparable to learning Spanish cookery at night school or line dancing. They should combine both meanings of the word 'lesson'.

Students should learn new physiological skills and also gain an increasing perception of the underlying significance involved. Learning movements is not enough; there must be a deeper level to the tuition.

One is taught in accordance to one’s fitness to learn.

(The Silent Flute)

Perspective

Balancing your tai chi with reading Tao helps your mind find harmony in life and you see things quite differently. Literal examples in class encourage you to see things differently.

How we were educated to regard reality is not the only option open to us.

Our classes challenge conventional wisdom and cultivate an inquiring mind that  seeks out alternatives. Problematic situations now seem innocuous, and life becomes easier as your barriers soften within.

Boredom

Form collecting is a modern habit which arises when a student is unwilling to commit the necessary practice to mastering a form. In short, the student gets bored.

It can take 10-20 years to get really good at one system of tai chi. How many modern people have that sort of patience?

Stronger

Everyone becomes stronger in our classes. We condition the body to endure more exercise and develop some serious stamina. Age is not a problem unless you have serious health concerns. Nobody is ever pushed; they proceed at their own pace.

Slowly, patiently, the body re-grow. We test this emerging strength to encourage further development and confidence in the training.

Drowsy

Many students feel drowsy at the end of a tai chi session and feel like going to sleep. Yet they also feel pleasantly alert, but without any anxiety. Their muscles are relaxed and their minds are calm.

Ultimately, you reach a point where this dreamy state of relaxation remains throughout the day.

Acquisitive

Beginners sometimes want to collect a whole series of forms. Why?

Form offers embryonic moves that teach the underlying principles, not set responses.

Form was designed to contain all the applications of the system without need of additional sequences/forms.

As a consequence, you only need to train one style of tai chi.

Memory

If you have trouble remembering the form, then take one movement home with you from class and drill that movement every day until the next lesson. Watch the Form DVD of you own it.

The following week, take home two movements, and so on... Pretty soon, you will have an entire sequence.

Gym & other martial arts

Tai chi is not like gym work or other martial arts.

Once a week training at your local karate class may result in a black belt in a few years, but this approach will not work for tai chi.

We are looking to move instinctively and naturally - without forethought or hesitation - and this entails regular practice of the form sequence.

No time?

People frequently complain that they have no time to practice tai chi at home.

A beginner only learns section 1 of the form and that section takes 2 minutes to perform.

Is there anyone on the planet who cannot set aside 2 minutes of their day for something useful and productive?

It is all a matter of priority.

Form every day

Tai chi form was never intended to be a once-a-week exercise. It was designed for daily practice.

Ideally, 15-20 minutes should be set aside for form because the complete sequence takes that long to perform.

A beginner may only have 2 movements to train or a 2 minute sequence, but they should still consider committing up to 15 minutes practice to what they have learned.

You do not feel wiped out

Qigong offers an interesting way to exercise the body. When performed correctly, qigong feels to be so mild that it is hard to believe that anything is really happening.

There is no sweating, straining or panting for breath. 

What does qigong mean?

 The term 'qigong' refers to a variety of exercises designed to cultivate the flow of blood and oxygen around the body, as well as released trapped energy within muscle tissues.

 Other spellings commonly used - qi gong or chi kung. It is pronounced 'chee gung'.  

Our energy is more precious than all the gold in the world. It is a more powerful anti-aging tool than anything else. 

Energy regenerates our liver and other tissue cells, flushes toxic waste from the body, helps maintain our ideal weight, keeps our skin smooth and our hair healthy. 

The more energy we have, the better we feel and the more beautiful we become.

(Kimberly Snyder)