As some of you know, while I love the martial training games of Tai-Chi, I dont train at combat levels of speed and intensity. I mainly train for daily life applications. When it comes to teaching, I love to see students develop real agility and balance, the ability to respond physically to changes around them in a healthy body-protective way. But everybodys at a different place along the ladder towards total unforced balance...and the ladder stretches upwards forever. One rung is as good as another when infinity is ahead of you. Theres only one reason to climb in my opinion and thats because you enjoy it. I love hanging out with people wherever they are and seeing if I can help them climb, if thats what they want to do...or stay where they are without going backwards, if thats what they want to do. Or just enjoy where they are, if thats what they want to do. Recently, I got some emails from one of my newer students whos really in pretty bad shape compared to most of my other students...chronic pain, genetically messed up joints, multiple surgeries, short overweight woman in her 50s...But a very cool person who looked long and hard for a teacher who would work with her one-on-one at her own pace and who didnt charge a fortune for it. I guess I was the guy. In her recent emails to me she shared that her doctor has been very impressed with her progress...and her physical therapist has stepped her down to once every 3 weeks rather than weekly visits. Hes known her since 92 and he told her she looks stronger and happier than hes seen her in ages. Now this woman couldnt punch her way out of a paper bag and has zero martial skills at this point, but learning to move softly with attention to alignment and relaxation has really improved her balance and life. To me, this is just as rewarding as watching a couple of advanced students running through a 45 movement partner form. There are many reasons people do these arts, many different training goals...
Posted on: Wed, 09 Apr 2014 04:58:14 +0000
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