Monday

Cost

Learning a martial art typically involves a considerable financial commitment:
  1. Uniform & equipment
  2. Insurance
  3. Annual membership
  4. Monthly standing order for lessons
  5. Workshops
  6. Resources
Sound pricey?
Imagine if you liked cross-country cycling, scuba diving, golf or fishing?
Or if you wanted to learn a new language or how to play an instrument?
Would it cost less?

A martial artist is paying to learn a skill: self defence.
That skill typically involves getting fit and healthy, confident and happy.

Many martial art styles and systems can only be practiced safely until a certain age.
You can continue tai chi indefinitely; and it will keep on improving your health and wellbeing.
Tai chi is a lifelong investment.

Despite all these considerations, the real commitment is time and energy, not money.

Sunday

Real curriculum

Many tai chi classes are tutored by people who have seen a fraction and believe it to be the whole.
Teaching people a fragmented view of tai chi is deceptive; it denies the student the richness of the complete art.

No matter what the style, tai chi practice must always contain the tai chi principles.

Any genuine tai chi teacher should be able to demonstrate the abilities mentioned on the principles list.

The teacher should also possess personal liability insurance and be following a coherent, methodical syllabus.

It is not enough for the teacher to understand tai chi. They must also be able to teach it to you.

Friday

Black belt

By black belt, a tai chi student should have working self defence skills comparative to any other martial art.
Ideally, the body use will be subtle, effortless and internal (to some extent).

In tai chi, your black belt is the end of the basics and the beginning of the serious work.
The grades ahead of you require sophisticated body use and a refined degree of physical sensitivity.
The journey has only just begun.

Thursday

Feedback

You are a rare teacher, I hope your students appreciate this.

 (Ron B)

Wednesday

Attire

Dress in bland, dull colours and outfits that do not draw any form of attention.
Avoid anything that catches the eye or makes you stand out.
Your aim is to be background, not foreground.

Wear loose, comfortable clothing that enables freedom of movement, and footwear that allows for rapid, nimble footwork.

Monday

Trying

Trying tires you out.

There is a significant difference between trying, doing and allowing. tai chi is a balance between doing and allowing, with more emphasis upon the latter. There is no trying in tai chi.

If you are trying, then it is not happening naturally - it doesn't want to happen. Trying is a kind of forcing, a resistance to what is.

Sunday

Aging is inevitable

Life passes by so quickly and before you realise it, you are 40 years old.
So what?
Should we be concerned about getting older?
Is 40 a significant age?

What you think about aging is your own business. However, you cannot ignore your physical body.
You may feel like a 20 year old, but you are not 20 anymore.
It is important to accept your age.
Aging brings with it certain considerations, concerns and limitations.