Practice Creates a Sensible, Sensitive T’ai Chi Chih

Carmen Brocklehurst, Albuquerque, NM

In talking to T’ai Chi Chih Teachers, I often get asked the question, “What do you do with students after they have learned the movements and have spent quite a bit of time practicing?” Many students feel at this point that they are ready for Teachers Training. However, you are the teacher; it is not for your students to tell you when it is time to take Teachers Training. Nor is it the time to introduce them to another discipline. Many of you have probably heard the saying, “Student of many, Master of none.” Unless we strive to know the ultimate that T’ai Chi Chih can teach us, we miss out on the true gift that T’ai Chi Chih has to offer.

This is the point when students are ready for their first baby steps into the deeper realms. If you are asking, “What deeper realms?” It is again time to listen to the “Justin Stone Speaks on T’ai Chi Chih” audio tape every time you ride in your car, or to play it at night as you are going to sleep. The results will be amazing. The tape contains the perfect substance you will need to lead your students into intermediate T’ai Chi Chih.

Justin has often said that the best way for students to learn T’ai Chi Chih is to practice, practice, practice. The time is now ripe to help the students become aware that movements are not just the repetition of the physical movements. If this were true, TCC would be just another glorified exercise program.

It is important to help our students (and ourselves) become aware that the effects of the movements are on all levels – physical, emotional and mental. Some students are very sensitive; their fingers may move easily or their feet may become hot. Some may even begin to have heightened awareness. It now becomes easy for teachers to see if students did practice, and in the face of this new level that has been reached (and there will be many more levels to come), if the student is still able to retain the correct discipline of the movement. Does the yinning and yanging stay level? Are they still leading with the tan t’ien? Are there curly cues creeping into the movements? Is there tension in the shoulders and back from the elbows rising too far from the body?

As teachers, we may take these points for granted as a normal part of our practice. But that is only because we have a discipline of daily practice which has given us a strong working relationship with the chi. Students, on the other hand, still need to build this relationship. Repetition is not just a dull drill but a wonderful way to build substance.

Happy Practice and Share the Chi!