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As you like it
Cord: Who are you?
Blind shepherd: Whoever you think I am or want me to be, I am.
(The Silent Flute)
Come as you please
Students are not pressured to attend weekly lessons. Nobody can make you
come to classes regularly.
Attendance is your concern.
But we would like to advise you that you only get out of tai chi what you put
into it.
We offer the framework
Our students have many opportunities for study:
Evening classes
Workshops
Private lessons
Assessment every 6 months for graded students
DVD's
Recommended reading
Home training
Whether you avail yourself of these opportunities is entirely
your concern.
We simply offer the framework.
What you choose to do is up to you.
Casual/drop-in students
Not everyone wants to grade.
Some people just want to do a bit of tai chi for the night.
This is fine.
Grading is optional, and not for everyone.
Commitment
Your progress is inextricably linked to your degree of commitment.
If you attend weekly lessons, your progress will be strong and
steady.
If you attend casually, your progress will be far slower.
Individual priorities
Not everyone wants to commit themselves to weekly lessons and daily
practice. Nobody says that you should.
It is important to do what feels right for you.
Similarly, you must not resent the progress of others in the class who are
dedicated and skilled.
Each student is free to proceed at a pace of their own choosing.
If you want to attend once or twice a month, that is fine providing you accept
that you will need plenty of revision and your progress will be slow.
A life beyond tai chi...
We recognise that students have other priorities beyond class:
Family commitments
Fear
- combat is not for everyone
- however, many people are interested in learning some degree of self
defence
Health
- some people cannot be thrown on the floor or endure hard training
Motivation
Social commitments
Studying another martial art
Work commitments
"I don't have time to practice"
People make time to watch TV but they do not exercise.
Setting time aside to practice is a matter of choice.
Everyone has the same number of hours in their day. You choose how to spend
those hours.
No one is short-changed.
Playing the victim is pointless. You have a choice.
If you do not want to practice, be honest with yourself.
Weekly attendance
Some
students only train in class.
They do make progress, and the pace is satisfactory for them.
Despite no home training, they can feel an improvement in their tai chi.
This is fine.
Now consider how much greater your skills would be if you practiced...
If you enjoy the skills you have achieved through weekly attendance, how much
more might you enjoy the skills that come through home training?
Little and often
Most
people are not used to training at home.
If you possess tremendous enthusiasm for the art, training is easy.
Otherwise, it is a chore.
The key to home training is to work into it gently.
Try doing a small amount every day.
Nothing ambitious.
Gradually cultivate the habit of doing tai chi at home. Eventually, you will
find yourself wanting to do it.
And if you miss the training, you will notice its absence.
More...
Page created 13 October 2000