Reflections – Page 12

Gift Of Tai Chi

I stumbled upon Tai Chi many years ago when a friend of mine suggested I give it a go.

After my first lesson I was hooked for life.

It’s a fascinating journey which still continues because there are still higher mountains to climb in learning and teaching Tai Chi.

I don’t think I will ever reach a destination in Tai Chi but that’s okay because I don’t feel the need to ‘get there’ anymore.

Entering the many gates to continue the journey makes it a challenge and it’s also worthwhile from a health and self defence point of view.

Lately I’ve been reflecting on what Tai Chi means to me. What is it about it that resonates the most that encourages me to continue practicing and teaching?

Well, I feel it’s a gift that has been given to me. As it has been given to many many others over the centuries.

And I feel the responsibility to give the gift of Tai Chi to as many people as possible.

Why?

Because if you do then your Yin Yang energies are balanced in regards to giving and receiving.

That to me, in simplistic terms, is what Tai Chi is all about.

Tai Chi: Placebo – Dodo – Hawthorne Effect?

By Chris 2 Comments

When I started Tai Chi in 1987 there was little scientific research of it that I was aware of.

Now there are more scientific studies which tend to show at least a correlation between Tai Chi and good health.

Currently I’m gathering scientific studies on Tai Chi and health and will create a section with links on this blog.

As I’ve been doing this I came across three psychological terms that are used by some sceptics about the validity of Tai Chi.

Placebo effect
Dodo Bird verdict
Hawthorne effect

Here is my explanation of these terms in laymans language in regards to Tai Chi.

A placebo effect in a Tai Chi sense is where one believes in the benefits and and therefore experiences benefits.

The dodo bird verdict is where one gains a positive benefit because of a positive relationship between the student and the teacher.

The ‘hawthorne effect is where a teacher has shown an interest in the student which causes an improvement in the student.

Here’s my answer to the sceptics.

So what.

Not a scientifc term but in abscene of ‘proof’ it will do me.

I don’t mind taking my daily Tai Chi ‘placebo’ pill if it makes me feel good just because I feel good about it.

I don’t mind being a ‘dodo’ and having a positive relationship with my teacher which makes me feel good.

And I certainly don’t mind the ‘hawthorne effect’ where a teacher shows interest in me and I improve.

I’m sure, give it time, that science will catch up with what has been known and experienced for centuries.

That Tai Chi is an excellent discipline for improving ones health and wellbeing.

But then again I can’t ‘prove’ that.

Square Tai Chi Vs Round Tai Chi

By Chris 4 Comments

When you begin to learn Tai Chi you are normally taught square Tai Chi.

Square Tai Chi is a stop start method where you learn the points of reference of a particular movement.

For example lets look at the square method teaching of the opening posture.

raise your arms up and away from your body
stop
sink your elbows
stop
lower your arms to the sides of your body
stop

Each stop is your point of reference. Stopping also allows you to check your posture.

Square Tai Chi is an easier method for beginners to learn Tai Chi. And it’s usually taught throughout the form.

Once a beginner has mastered square Tai Chi the next step is to learn round Tai Chi.

And here’s how round Tai Chi works.

Instead of starting and stopping you round the form out. It now becomes one continous rounded form.

It is a mistake to jump straight into round Tai Chi before you learn square Tai Chi because it’s difficult and errors usually occur which will take more time to correct.

So when learning Tai Chi be a square. If you are you will become more rounded.

Fun Tai Chi for Kidz

By Chris Leave a Comment

It’s been a very busy Tai Chi week.

I ran seven workshops and one short introduction on Tai Chi at a primary school.

The workshops are based on my ‘Pozitive Kidz are happy kidz’ program which focuses on building self-esteem from a Tai Chi perspective.

It was fun watching the prep students crack up laughing with my ‘teethy’ prop and ‘monkey brain’ explanation regarding self talk.

I’ve run these workshops for several years and learned earlier that teaching children Tai Chi in a traditional way is almost impossible.

They get too impatient and bored.

So I bring in my props, play games and use humour to teach and emphasise simple techniques they can do easily and quickly if they feel either stressed or lethargic.

It’s not boring because I never know what mood a class is in or what level of energy they have until I am standing in front of them.

So I have to quickly assess what needs to be done to capture their attention and maintain their enthusiasm.

And the best way to do that is to have my own Yin Yang energies balanced so my Chi can flow smoothly.

How do I do that?

I focus on having fun!

Is Chi Real?

By Chris 2 Comments

I’ve trained with Western doctors who believed in Chi.

And I’ve read about a Tai Chi master who doesn’t believe in Chi.

Is Chi real?

Well, I can’t prove it exist. And it doesn’t matter if Chi exists, technically anyway.

To me the concept of Chi is more valuable rather than proving its existence.

And the way to understand the concept of Chi is to reflect on the philosophy of Tai Chi and practice the movements.

When this is done over a period of time you will then be able to ‘feel’ the Chi ‘regardless of whether it exists or not’.