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Some thoughts on Tai chi
Apr. 30th, 2007 07:46 pmI've been browsing through a lot of links relating to tai chi practice lately and I remember one teacher saying that his students tend to be frustrated by his reply when they ask him how to improve their form. His reply is to practice. No magic, just practice, practice, practice.
It doesn't sound frustrating to me, because I've been amazed through this past month how some movements that just didn't seem to make sense become clear after many repetitions. Not that the my form is good, necessarily, but that I gain a clearer understanding on what I should be trying to do.
The classes I took in March where at first a little disappointing. The teacher is a young woman who emphasized breathing and basic movements. She didn't teach any of the forms, just how to breath, how to move, how to place the feet and hands. Really valuable stuff.
After trying out a variety of dvd's I settled on one that takes the time to explain things and move through slowly. First, a simplified version of five forms. Then the exact way the feet should move, added to that the hands and then the two together. Finally, he shows how the forms flow together. This first dvd teaches 7 of the Yang 24 forms. I'm definitely going to stick with this teacher and get his more advanced dvd to continue.
And I think I'll sign up for the local tai chi class this fall again, too. The fundamentals of breathing and the exercises she teaches will, I think, enhance the practice of the forms. Putting the breathing with the forms should help develop chi and create a more meditative experience.
It doesn't sound frustrating to me, because I've been amazed through this past month how some movements that just didn't seem to make sense become clear after many repetitions. Not that the my form is good, necessarily, but that I gain a clearer understanding on what I should be trying to do.
The classes I took in March where at first a little disappointing. The teacher is a young woman who emphasized breathing and basic movements. She didn't teach any of the forms, just how to breath, how to move, how to place the feet and hands. Really valuable stuff.
After trying out a variety of dvd's I settled on one that takes the time to explain things and move through slowly. First, a simplified version of five forms. Then the exact way the feet should move, added to that the hands and then the two together. Finally, he shows how the forms flow together. This first dvd teaches 7 of the Yang 24 forms. I'm definitely going to stick with this teacher and get his more advanced dvd to continue.
And I think I'll sign up for the local tai chi class this fall again, too. The fundamentals of breathing and the exercises she teaches will, I think, enhance the practice of the forms. Putting the breathing with the forms should help develop chi and create a more meditative experience.
