Applying Childhood Disciplines to TCC

The vital force helps a child stay balanced while learning to walk. Training continues into preteen and adolescent years as parents help develop a disciplined lifestyle. This idea also applies to T’ai Chi Chih (TCC). Over the years my parents said at various times:

“Pick up your feet.” When I begin a movement with soft knees and positioning my hands, I raise my heel alerting my foot to be ready to take a step forward or to the side.

“Stand up straight.” Slouching is a bad habit whether we’re young or old. TCC requires standing up straight without being tense.

“Watch your step.” If I said anything to my parents that they perceived as disrespectful, they were quick with this admonition. With TCC this can be taken one of two ways. Make sure the step is a normal step and leaves space between the heels as one foot goes forward. Or use patience with students and yourself. Feelings are on edge and can be easily hurt; tempers can flare.

“Don’t hold your breath.” I remember expressing a desire during childhood for something special to happen. Someone would invariably say, “Don’t hold your breath.” A person can forget to breath when paying attention to all the different components in a movement. Justin would often say, “Breath or otherwise you are dead.”

“Stand on your own two feet.” In the beginning of my pilgrimage with TCC, I wanted to please my teacher. I came to realize I had to stand on my own two feet.

These can add fun to teaching TCC. All teachers try to be creative with tools at hand to help students learn this amazing series of movements.