I was asked to note my observations about the body learning I’m experiencing in the world of Wu Style Tai Chi.
- Prior to the level 2 opening conference I had created an enemy of learning about my approach to the DOC forms. I was treating Tai Chi as superior (but I would never have been able to ground that). Since then I’ve enjoyed the DOC forms much more and as my Tai Chi experience has improved can point out the similarities and differences between them.
- Tai Chi is all about observation of your body. Position of hands and feet are important in order to create “correct form”. We want “correct form” because that drives the most physical benefit and learning.
- Tai Chi feels right in my body. When I first started in Melbourne it felt as if my body was remembering rather than learning.
- If I walk differently or not I cannot tell, but I am aware of my body more often.</ li>
- My balance has improved. This is one reason why Tai Chi is practiced by the elderly as a combative to the loss of balance that often comes with old age.
- In my household it is difficult to find time to meditate and I don’t think I could sit still for a period anyway. Tai Chi is a meditative process with the focus on correct form.
- In Bendigo I have taken part in 7 weeks of community education classes, 1 round of a full semester and am now into my second round of a full semester. Having missed some classes along the way I could have moved up to the round form (currently square) but have decided to stay and get the square form right. This is an important promise to myself and unusual in that I’m choosing to experience more learning rather than externally achieve.
- Going over the same moves is essential to learn Tai Chi. This time around I’ve observed I was moving my arms instead of my hips and was not forming correct horse-posture. I’m constantly listening to myself and the instructor. In the last session before the holidays I took note of one hint and have applied it since. Now I have correct horse posture, can get lower (lower is better for health reasons - you work harder), and feel solid on the ground.
- The Tao Te Ching speaks often of flow and is closely related to Tai Chi. The experienced instructors have been demonstrating how Tai Chi is all about flow and using the energy of others rather than your own.
- I now understand the last lines of the Tai Chi poem I’ve had for a long time. I am applying it to business “competition” in Bendigo and they don’t even know it. It also relates to conversation with others and is equivalent to “within the system, the element with the greatest flexibility in its behaviour will be the one that has the greatest importance”.
- I’ve noticed that my pain threshold for sitting at the computer has lowered. Now if I’ve not worked through the Tai Chi for a few days I can feel it. That’s a good thing.