Teaching Styles

David Schulberg led a lively discussion about teaching styles that engaged both experienced and new instructors. The consensus? What works for one group will not necessarily work for another. It was agreed that teachers take responsibility to change the ambience of a classroom from that of the outside world to the essence of an empty mind. Suggestions included emptying from ear to ear, substituting pleasant thoughts at the beginning of class for harried or worried ones, and/or using flowing music. Teacher softness is necessary from the first moment, and beginning in silence sets the tone for learning. Do a quick scan of the body-mind at the beginning of class (breath rhythm, state of mind, body comfort) and then throughout class to notice changes. Clearly T’ai Chi Chih is being ably, intuitively, and creatively taught to many types of populations, including children, elderly, ethnic groups, and disabled.