A New Teacher’s Notes To Self

Contributor’s Note: This article is not intended to be a comprehensive manual on teaching T’ai Chi Chih but rather some random notes about teaching. If other notes occur to you as you as you read, jot them down for your future reference.

The path to becoming a T’ai Chi Chih teacher is not always clearly marked. Oh, there is a set of requirements that leads to the accreditation workshop, but the completion of that workshop does not make us teachers. It simply gives us permission to present ourselves as teachers. To truly become a teacher in our own hearts, and in the eyes of our students, is a much more complicated journey.

The other night I experienced a milestone in my journey. My first beginners’ class finished the complete practice for the first time, all repetitions of all 19 movements in sequence. Of course, after six sessions, the execution was neither perfect nor completely synchronized, but there was enthusiasm and depth. During Cosmic Consciousness Pose, I almost cried – this group had gone from, “TCC is…” to a full practice. I managed to compose myself and acknowledge their hard work.

I’ve noticed a few things as I begin this lifelong journey of being a TCC teacher. Perhaps it is a function of having “new eyes” or simply relaxing enough to see the obvious. The observations below are reminders as I gain more teaching experience.

Remember to smile. Enjoy yourself and have a good time. One of my venues has a mirrored wall so I can watch the group, but I also can see myself. We were doing Pulling in the Energy and noticed myself in the mirror. I thought, “Who is that serious old man?” I was so intent on doing it “right” and watching the group that I had forgotten to enjoy the moment. The tag line is not “Effort and Struggle Thru Movement” it is “Joy Thru Movement.” So smile and enjoy yourself; if you don’t, your students will take the practice far too seriously and miss one of the most important benefits of TCC.

Move confidently. Students often feel uncertain about how to move, especially when they are first learning. Make your movements as big as you can without introducing tension or stress so your students will be able to easily see how you are moving. Perform each movement as if you are putting an exclamation mark on it.

Be willing to make mistakes. I don’t mean to intentionally make mistakes. But be gentle with yourself when they occur; they will. Mistakes most often occur when the mind wanders, and we get out of the flow. There is always a teaching moment for me in a mistake: what have I done physically or mentally that allowed things to become unhinged? Your students will relax when they see you being gentle with yourself when you make mistakes.

Softness is strength. Softness cannot be forced. No effort on your part will lead to soft movements. Softness is a byproduct of practice, practice, practice. Softness flows from the tan t’ien, the center. All you can do is to let go when you notice tension.

Emphasis on action. TCC is so exciting; there is so much you want the students to know. But if you try to tell them everything, the class will be over before you get to the best part. And perhaps even more importantly, the students need to be able to do the movements to have a context in which to understand the philosophical underpinnings. For example, the concept of flowing from the center will not make sense until they have the physical movements as a reference. Limit the lectures and get the students on their feet and doing TCC.

The Goldilocks rule. We have access to a veritable blizzard of paper that we want to share with students. But there are only a couple of summary handouts that are important for new students to have – a list of the 19 movements and the Six Principles of Movement. The rest can wait and be given out as the student engages with TCC and wants to deepen his or her experience. We want the porridge to be just right for both talking and handouts.

Emphasize the benefits. Remind yourself and your students of the many benefits of TCC regularly and often. It may seem like you are selling something, and in a way you are, but your students will recognize the benefits from their practice more quickly if you mention them in advance. Share from your own experience. What benefits do you experience? Try to highlight one in each session. And remember that your students may experience different benefits.

Watch the students. How your students move will tell you what you need to review and reinforce. Are they fully shifting their weight? Are they leaning? Are they moving from their center? Are they moving softly? Does one movement seem more confusing? Are a few students having problems or is it the whole class? Knowing what is going on in the group will lead you to those teaching moments that deepen your students’ practice.

Keep a journal. Perhaps a younger person can remember what happened in the last class, but I cannot be sure what was covered or what is planned. This is especially true when teaching several classes. Keeping notes of what is covered in a class and what is planned for the next class is simple and prevents repeating yourself or having to ask the students what you did last time.

Tell the students they are doing well – a lot. I firmly believe that TCC done imperfectly and sporadically is better than no TCC at all. And we say it is TCC practice, not TCC perfect. I look for opportunities to give compliments. Acknowledge hard work, and when someone is struggling, point out that that they are making progress. I also use eye contact, smiles and head nodding to affirm progress during the practice.

The journey to becoming a TCC teacher includes:

• Cognitive – understanding and conveying the history and philosophical underpinnings of TCC to deepen the students’ practice beyond just physical activity;

• Physical – maintaining a regular personal practice so we always move correctly and softly;

• Spiritual – deepening our students’ experience of TCC as moving meditation.

Shamanic traditions speak of the journey of the Spirit as walking a path. On this path, we thank and honor those who have gone before. Thank you ancient T’ai Chi masters, Justin, and all the TCC teachers who have gone before. We acknowledge the courage and dedication to walking this path with integrity, intention and humility. And finally, we recognize that we are blazing a trail for those who will come after us; stand on our shoulders and move beyond us. Enjoy the path!