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| Starfarm Tai Chi Class Schedule
Finding
A Tai Chi Teacher Preparing for Tai Chi
Class Protocol for Tai Chi
Class
Tai Chi Class Format
Finding a Teacher. T'ai Chi has become so
popular in the
mainstream culture that finding a teacher should not be
difficult. Finding a good teacher, a teacher with whom you can
establish a relationship may be a little harder. Here's one key
thing to watch out for: if the teacher says
he is a Taoist: RUN. A person who would say that to a tai
chi prospect is more likely clever, lazy, or manipulative!
A teacher who would charge you admission to observe a class before
signing up should be measured up also. Look around the teaching
space and see how many other things are for sale, is that the main
motivation behind the practice?
The teacher should be ready to
explain the tai
chi style, and the philosophy behind his or her teaching
practice: is it martial arts oriented, is it geared toward
fitness and relaxation, or is it being offered up as a spiritual
practice . Decide if the philosophy supports what you are after.
Is the teacher
approachable? Can you get
your questions answered?
Find out how long the teacher
has been
practicing and teaching and where.
Finally, is the teacher
someone you could work
with through any difficulties you might encounter.
Back to the Top Preparing for Tai Chi Classes Are you willing to put
at least some
time in daily, practicing what you learn each week?
Don't hold
back waiting for
perfection. Practice whatever you can remember. When learning I
usually bring a small notebook, so I can make notes or cues for
memory. You will forget week to week if you don't practice.
Before attending your first
class, you should
find out what the teacher expects in terms of clothing and
footwear-some require uniforms fo some sort, some require special
footwear (usually to protect a practice floor surface), and some may
have the class go outdoors for class when the weather permits.
Make sure that you allow enough
time for
yourself to arrive at the site of the class on -time. One thing that
tai chi should make you aware of is your effect on space and the people
around you. Rushing is stressful. When you arrive, "just in
time" or "just a little late" you will have an effect on the
process: your stress is contagious! Start time and End time are a means
for a group to assemble and be "together" for A time.
Bring any questions you
may have resulting from
previous class, or practice, and ask them, many times the questions go
unanswered simply because no on asks.
Back to the Top Protocol for Tai Chi Classes One of the key priciples in tai
chi is relaxed
body and mind. These "norms" are established to help facilitate
that relaxation by mutual agreement. We'd like to establish the
practice space as safe.
Be on time: your late arrival
is forgiveable but
disruptive.
Arriving on time, greet your
friends, but move
to the floor and begin a little warming up on your own. This
mutual time is not the time for YOU to engage someone in YOUR
agenda...arrange for that outside of the class: others have paid for
the time, and shouldn't have to wait for you to finish YOUR business.
Greet the teacher, some
teachers make everyone
wait until everyone is standing on the floor and all conversations have
ended. Then they take the floor and commence the practice with a
bow to the students, who then return the bow. I simply ask that
you give up YOUR agenda when I take the floor. This tradition is
a tradition that arises out of Common Courtesy. The group is
assemble to practice with the teacher. The group awaits the
arrival of the teacher, greets the teacher who responds. Practice
begins. At the end of practice, the teacher would then signal
that practice is finished with a bow to the students, who bow in
response.
The above is about a mutual
regard for each
other's time...and strongly suggests what most people need to learn in
tai chi practice: let go. In this case, drop ego, it has no place
in the forum.
Wear loose clothing, and avoid
tshirts with any
kind of political message, tai chi class is not the place for you to
AGITATE for anything! Who knows what provocation may arise!
Don't wear strong
perfumes and
colognes-you can love it all you like, but someone else in the mutual
space may be made sick by it.
Ask if you don't understand,
don't go away with nothing to think about,
or a burning resentment born of not knowing, not being sure. Back to the Top Class Format All classes will begin with a period of warming up and relaxation. followed by a practice run through of the form. Individual movements and principles are practiced next, questions are encouraged. Class will end with another practice of the form. Back to the Top |
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