Chris Chi

Tai Chi for health & wellbeing

 

 

Tai Chi Magazine

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I’ve subscribed to the  American  Tai Chi magazine for about 20 years and do recommend it as a resource for any level of Tai Chi practitioner.

I always look forward to articles on Wu Style Tai Chi as this is the style I practice. I do read all the other articles regardless of the styles of Tai Chi because it gives me a chance to compare experienced Tai Chi players viewpoints on various techniques and issues.

I usually pick up on something that adds to my knowledge and understanding of Tai Chi and that makes it worthwhile subscribing to it.

Now I am not getting anything for recommending the magazine (no secret slush fund – I wish :). The only connection I have had apart from subscribing to it was a paid article of mine that was published several years ago. If you are interested in reading it here is the entire article A Guide to Free Style Push Hands.

I’ve still got my first copy – one of about 120 issues.

Which reminds me, I must go and sort them all out.

Tai Chi Perfect Score

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Since I’ve created a detailed schedule, on paper, of my Tai Chi training sessions I have achieved several perfect scores.

My schedule has an outline of all my sessions for the week – from Monday to Saturday. Besides each session is a box I tick when I’ve completed that particular session. And when every box is ticked for the week that’s my Tai Chi perfect score.

My sessions are spread throughout the day which makes it easier for my knees and a welcome energiser when I’m working from home.

The differences between my previous schedule and my new schedule;

  • easier to track my progress
  • a good psychological boost when I tick the boxes, particularly when I achieve a perfect score
  • more detailed
  • at a glance it’s easier to rearrange my schedule if needed

Here’s how I organised my new schedule;

  • worked out what I could realisticly handle over a week
  • prioritised important sessions
  • shorter sessions throughout the day so my knees could cope
  • incorporated a review sessions and a new skills session
  • Alternated intensive and less intensive sessions e.g weapons practice one day followed by forms practice the next day
  • have Sunday off as a rest day

The result?

I now have a more systemised approach to training which I’m constantly reviewing and fine tuning. I’ve been able to strengthen my knees which has been a major achievement.

And I feel I’m making more progress.

Perfect!

Incoming Ideas

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I train six days a week and I usually find many ideas appear during, and after most sessions.

As I work on specific areas I still gain insights and a better understanding of the skills I’m working on.

Because of my basketball coaching background and experience as a Tai Chi teacher I’m constantly analysing and reviewing skills. And also thinking of how can I teach this skill so a beginner can understand.

Sometimes I’d be practicing the Tai Chi form and an incoming idea pops into my head and I’m tempted to dash off and write it down. But I always wait until I finish practice before I note things down.

It’s not only thinking about skills that triggers ideas. I also tap into feelings while practicing which often produces ideas.

For example, the other day while practicing the spear, I felt my my tan tien initiate a movement rather than the muscles in my arms and shoulders. So that’s what I wrote about.

Occasionally the incoming idea is an old one but that is okay because it reinforces something I’ve forgotten.

Reading articles and books, watching vidoes on YouTube also sparks ideas so I rarely run out of ideas to write about Tai Chi.

And after all these yeares in learning and teaching Tai Chi it still is exciting when incoming ideas appear.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Oh, excuse me. There’s another incoming idea knocking on the door.

I better go and open the door and let it in.