Chris – Page 2

The Three Secrets of Tai Chi

I never thought I’d use the word “secrets” in a post on Tai Chi because it’s usually marketing hype. Bu essentially I’m breaking my rule here.

I’m always sceptical when I see the word “secret” used in a title of a Tai Chi or Chi Kung book, post, or a video.

So I’m now going to reveal the three secrets I have discovered after thirty years of practice and teaching Tai Chi. Drum roll please …

Here they are in no particular order:

1. Practice
2. Practice
3. Practice

Now that I’ve revealed my three secrets, you’re welcome to ‘steal’ them. But you do realise they are useless unless you actually practice.

And to get a training effect you’ll need to practice your Tai Chi at least three times a week.

In my personal training I practice six times a week, sometimes seven times a week. The seventh time is usually my “catch up” Tai Chi training that I was unable to do during the week. I try and have one day off per week from training.

So forget about discovering ‘secrets’- just practice!

Research + Practice = Improvement

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One of the personal benefits of developing a new program like my Sports Chi is that it gives me the opportunity to research and cross reference various Tai Chi themes and techniques.

Not only is this research beneficial for the Sports Chi program but also for my own personal training.

With a greater depth of knowledge I feel my skills are improving as I practice on a daily basis.

Rather than overload on the knowledge obtained, I simply take one theme or skill learned and apply it to a specific aspect of my training.

For example, one of the areas I’ve worked on is making sure my knees are properly aligned.

This is easy to do if you are stationary, but when moving from posture to posture in a Tai Chi form it’s difficult to do.

As I do my research on areas I already know, I’m reminded of what the famous former UCLA basketball coach, John Wooden, once said – ‘It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts‘.

Don’t Keep Up – Keep On

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One of the phrases I often repeat in Chair Chi sessions for residents in aged care is ‘don’t try to keep up – just keep on’.

I’ve found this eases the pressure to try and keep up with other residents and it helps them to perform at their own pace and physical capabilities.

Injuries can occur if residents try and keep up when they are unable to do so.

Sometimes residents will try anyway, so if I see any signs of discomfort I’ll stop them from doing the activity and repeat the phrase ‘don’t try and keep up – just keep on’.

I do have one resident who, regardless of what’s said, will try an activity she can’t do even though it causes her pain.

When that occurs I always say to her before the activity, ‘Now, Sue, don’t raise your arms above your shoulders – keep them lower’. And I’ll repeat that statement before every repetition of the exercise.

I suppose it’s human nature to try and keep up, but as a teacher of Chair Chi I have to ensure residents just keep on – and celebrate that as an achievement.

And celebrating their achievement is what I do at the end of each session!

50 Grade Fives

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This week I’m running a special one hour presentation for fifty grade five students at a primary school.

It’s part of the Pozitive Kidz are happy kidz program I run, and in this session the emphasis will be on leadership, self esteem and confidence.

All the skills I teach are based on Tai Chi. I simply adapt them to suit the various age groups I work with – from 5 years old to 103 years old!

As usual, I’ll have my props with me for the students to emphasise key points – Hammy Hamster, Spooky and Monkey Brain. I’ll also run a short conversation segment (based on the principles of Appreciative Inquiry) to highlight positive leadership experiences and skills.

To finish the session, I’ll use my favourite toy, ‘Jacques the Shark’, which always gets the students excited and laughing.

And I’ll bring my teachers’ aide to help – a two metre long Tai Chi staff. 🙂

Sports Chi: ‘Invest In Loss’

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In my Sports Chi program one of the areas we cover is to look at the practical meaning of various Chinese proverbs and/or quotes that can help athletes improve their performance.

One of my favourite quotes is ‘invest in loss’, which is thought provoking because it makes you think on a different level when it comes to success in contests and games.

Obviously you need to focus on what needs to done to be successful, but just as importantly you need to think about what you’re prepared to give up to be successful.

For example, you may have to give up time, money, energy or booze etc. to achieve your sporting goals.

Once you identify what you need to give up and take action on that, then you’ll understand and appreciate the true meaning of ‘invest in loss’ and move towards success.