Receiving Corrections

I was recently at an event where corrections about some basic principles of the T’ai Chi Chih movements were given to me. Perhaps I was in a vulnerable space then; possibly, I thought I should be beyond having to be corrected for such rudimentary aspects; assuredly, I felt discouraged because after all these years of daily T’ai Chi Chih practice, I ought to be able to self-correct idiosyncrasies I may have incorporated into my movements. My doubts about continuing to teach came to the fore like a lightning bolt.

The corrections were given kindly and with the idea of helping me improve my form. Unfortunately, I did not receive them with the grace I would like to have demonstrated. I felt frustrated, defensive, and very disappointed in myself. I believe my ego got in the way.

The experience taught me two things (altogether aside from the actual corrections themselves):

1) I need to always be open to comments from other teachers about the way I move. I must be willing to accept that we’re all continuing to learn and to let T’ai Chi Chih teach us. Part of that is starting over if that is what is required, taking a new look at the possible bad habits I’ve allowed to slip into my movements, being ready to change as necessary—unlearning, relearning. I am unspeakably grateful that I can take advantage of opportunities to practice with Justin and other teachers because I generally practice—and teach—in isolation, having few teachers nearby with whom I can practice. (I encourage all teachers to attend as many T’ai Chi Chih-related events as possible—teachers’ training courses, conferences, renewals—to help us recommit to performing the movements as accurately as can be done and to transmit them to others equally as correctly.)

2) I got a new slant on the way I give corrections to students. In the interest of “helping,” I have sometimes possibly overwhelmed some students by offering too many suggestions for them to take in at a given time. I know how difficult it was for me to take in just a couple of comments; how much harder it must be for one not as familiar as I with the movements to accept “constructive criticism” in the manner intended!

It was a humbling and insightful experience for me. I have to trust that the next time a similar situation arises, I will be able to receive with greater openness and grace what is presented to me.