self esteem

One Tai Chi Second

I was in Hobart, Tasmania, last week working with primary school students in our ‘Pozitive Kidz are happy kidz’ workshops.

It’s a program I’ve run for years and it focuses on building self esteem from a Tai Chi perspective.

In one of the workshops I discovered the ‘one Tai Chi second’.

It was after our yin meditative exercise which was preceded by a very active yang exercise.

I was reinforcing the theme that we need to pause before we react to things without thinking.

And it occurred to me to use the term ‘one Tai Chi second’. It’s something that I’ve never used before and it was created on the spot. And these creative moments are always a delight because it gives me more material to use when teaching young students.

I said to the students, ‘if you feel upset, or someone is teasing you, slowly breathe for one Tai Chi second’.

How long is one Tai Chi second?

As long as it takes to remain calm and centred.

60 Workshops in 26 Days

By Chris 1 Comment

I will never forget February, 2008.

I delivered 60 workshops in 26 days.

The workshops were our ‘Pozitive Kidz are Happy Kidz’ schools program which focuses on building self esteem from a Tai Chi perspective.

The students age range from 5-12 years old.

At that stage, each workshop ran for 30 minutes – four per morning – two before the break and two after the break.

These were high energy workshops which included props , games and humour to engage the children for the full session. A traditional approach would have been boring and not work as well.

By the time the third and fourth session kicked in during the morning I had to stay centred and make sure I was not repeating or forgetting to include an activity.

Because when I deliver a workshop I leave some flexibilty so I can react to what is happening in the moment, besides covering the core skills.

I now know what it feels like to be out on the road covering several gigs a day over an extended period.

It may not be rock n roll but it’s great fun and exhausting.

Why put my self through this ‘ordeal’?

I’ve got no choice.

I’m passionate about what I do.

6,000 Reasons

By Chris Leave a Comment

I’ve been doing some number crunching lately.

In particular, on how many primary school children have attended my Pozitive Kidz are happy kidz program since it started three years ago.

6000 kids!

That’s alot.

My program teaches 5-12 year olds how to build their self esteem from a Tai Chi perspective.

And it’s a humbling and satisfying feeling.

To know that I’ve been able to introduce the profound art of Tai Chi to young children and maybe have had some effect in helping them to feel better about themselves.

It’s certainly given me the opportunity to be creative with Tai Chi and it challenges me to adjust my presentation style according to the age group in front of me.

For example if they are very young I’m more animated, use simple language, keep them constantly occupied using different exercises. If they’re older I’m a bit more cool and mature.

If I taught Tai Chi the traditional wayI know the kids would be bored very quickly. [Read more…]