Events this week have conspired to make me think more thoroughly than I previously have about our club and the things that make us different, besides that I have the best students in the world (have I mentioned I missed you this week?). I would never claim complete uniqueness from all other Tai Chi clubs—after all, Tai Chi is part of a long tradition with a global history that goes back thousands, if not tens of thousands of years, depending on how you define Qigong. At the same time, not all Tai Chi and Qigong classes are created equal. So here we go, an informal list of the things that make our group especially great.
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Attention to Detail
Tai Chi and Qigong are complex arts that involve precise body movements, frames of mind, and posture in order to work well. While almost anyone can look at the outside of a movement and copy the motions of the legs and arms, it takes a lot of training to understand what we call the internal aspects of a movement (aka, how it really works). And yet, understanding the internal aspects of the movement is the key to unlocking the healing power of Tai Chi and Qigong—i.e., making them super effective.
I was fortunate to receive meticulous training that gave me a thorough understanding of the internal aspects of Tai Chi and Qigong, and the foundation principles of movement that operate across all the arts that I teach. I've been even more fortunate to have plenty of time and opportunity to deepen this understanding over three decades of practice.
Personal Empowerment Through Kicking Arse
I've been made aware through the years that there are some groups who don't consider Tai Chi a martial art, and don't teach it that way. That's not us.
Now, we're not in the business of inviting participants to fight each other (although we do play Push Hands from time to time.) Bottom line, the movements of Tai Chi are evidently punches, kicks, blocks and strikes. To see them any other way is to miss the spirit of the thing, and more than half the fun. The point is to learn how to apply force with one's entire body, from the ground, up through the core, and out through the hands.
In real life, chances are you won't need to get into a physical fight of any kind. (Let's hope not!) But there will come a time when you have to do something (lift a heavy box, push a heavy piece of furniture) that might be a bit beyond you. When you've learned how to do Tai Chi correctly, these physical challenges become a lot more do-able, and you greatly reduce the chances of hurting yourself.
My understanding is that those who teach that Tai Chi isn't a martial art do so with the claim that their focus is on Tai Chi for health "instead" of Tai Chi as martial art. I can think of few better ways to protect one's health than avoiding injury. Or, if it comes down to it, it seems obvious to me that self-defense, or learning to stand in one's power and physical integrity, is also an essential component of health, if only for the self esteem boost it brings. (Pro tip: there are many other reasons this is good for you!) In any case, it's been my experience that in Tai Chi, health and martial art go hand in hand: you can't have one without the other.
For many people, learning the martial art aspect of Tai Chi becomes their favourite part of class. I hope anyone who feels intimidated by this idea or isn't sure they'll like it would give it a try.
That Mojo Though
I've met more than one Tai Chi practitioner who doesn't want to talk about Chi or energy. (Qigong people tend to be a little more into the woo, bless you all!) As someone who started Tai Chi as a Chi skeptic, I understand, but I can tell you firsthand that it's more fun when you're not stuck there. Chi is literally everywhere, and the sensations that accompany Tai Chi and Qigong (warmth, tingling in the hands, a sense of liveliness) are both common and ample evidence that Chi is in the mix when we practice. If you're interested in learning more about energy and you're attending my classes, you have only to ask. I have many years experience with Chi in a Tai Chi context, as well as in the context of other energy healing modalities, and can talk about it all day long (I'm sure that's great news!), and show you how to experience it for yourself.
Small Classes
Our studio is moderate in size. This means our classes are not overpopulated and never will be. We can fit 15-17 people maximum into the space at one time. Many of the classes tend to average half that number. Beginner's classes tend to be even smaller. I'm not interested in teaching massive classes where people don't feel like they have access to individual instruction, and I won't.
Safe Space
I actively cultivate an environment where people are mutually respectful, pleasant, and full of good humour. Tai Chi and Qigong are tricky arts that can sometimes be frustrating, so it helps to laugh. We're also disciplined, dedicated to practice, and focused on the task at hand. We're social, but we're not a social club. We don't waste your precious practice time.
Unlike larger organisations, ego and politics don't have a place here. We don't harass our members or bully outside organisations or individuals. (Sorry, but there will be no rumbling in the parking lot with rival clubs! It's a matter of principle.)
Our classes are for the purpose of learning Tai Chi, Qigong, and related arts, and for that purpose alone.
Things We Do Not Do
Ask you for exclusivity
There are many groups where members who wish to train elsewhere are told in no uncertain terms that they can't unless they leave. That's not us. What you do with your own time is up to you.
Ask you for "donations" or "fundraising"
The fees you pay monthly and for any occasional workshops or classes serve to cover the cost of our rent and to compensate me for my time. This club is my part time job, and I'm very grateful that I get to do something so interesting and worthwhile as my work. I believe completely in the principle that you should get value for your money. Beyond the fees you pay for your training, you will not be asked to open your wallet.
Offer partial instruction
I don't teach internal martial arts sets in halves. If I commit to offer instruction in an art, I teach the whole thing. Although achieving balance in this is tricky, I try to honour whatever we've studied with some practice time each week or month. (If I slip on this, remind me!)
What this means is if you ask a question in one of my classes, you'll get an answer that will serve you for many months (or years) to come. (Some might say you'll get a really, really long answer, but hey I like to be specific and give complete information.) That answer will be consistent with the other information you'll receive in class. If I or one of my co-instructors doesn't know the answer, you'll hear "I don't know." (You'll seldom hear "I don't know.")
Your question will never be dismissed. You'll never be told to "just do it" without having enough information to understand how or why you're doing something, or how to do it correctly. When you start learning a new art, like Sword, Sabre, Hsing-I, or Lok Hup, the principles you've already learned with Tai Chi or Qigong will still apply and it will make sense to you. The more you learn, the more you'll get to enjoy building on the knowledge base you already have. In this way, your practice will always deepen, and so long as you keep practicing, you'll develop a more and more sophisticated toolkit to help you with whatever you want to do in life as you get stronger and happier, and feel better and better.
Emphasis on the Individual
All bodies can benefit from Tai Chi and Qigong, but not all bodies handle the movements in the same way, especially in the beginning. The reason why I offer Qigong and Tai Chi as separate classes is that some people need a way in to Tai Chi, or they want to deepen and soften their Tai Chi practice after time spent doing it but not quite grasping the internals. Qigong offers an opportunity to slow down and focus on the mechanics of each movement. On the other hand, when you're looking for a bigger challenge, Tai Chi and the other internal martial arts that I teach are there for you. The class schedule is designed to help you tailor your training to your needs and interests.
Emphasis on the Individual
All bodies can benefit from Tai Chi and Qigong, but not all bodies handle the movements in the same way, especially in the beginning. The reason why I offer Qigong and Tai Chi as separate classes is that some people need a way in to Tai Chi, or they want to deepen and soften their Tai Chi practice after time spent doing it but not quite grasping the internals. Qigong offers an opportunity to slow down and focus on the mechanics of each movement. On the other hand, when you're looking for a bigger challenge, Tai Chi and the other internal martial arts that I teach are there for you. The class schedule is designed to help you tailor your training to your needs and interests.
Beyond the ability to choose one's own adventure with the classes, I focus on making sure that if a movement isn't sitting well with you, you're aware of the options you have for modifying it, or the bodily habits you have that are causing you discomfort. Every Friday at our Qigong for Health Recovery class, we discuss specific physical, mental, and emotional challenges (mostly physical) and how to deal with them. But this isn't just a topic for Fridays: any class is an opportunity for you to ask about the issues you want to work on. Chances are, someone else shares them.
I have a long history of helping people troubleshoot the challenges that have made movement difficult for them in the past, and I'm confident that I can help you. Believe it or not, moving can become less painful and more pleasant for you. There is no instant fix, but over time, improvement isn't beyond most people.
My co-instructors and I are here to help you meet your training goals, regardless of how small or lofty they may be.
Personal Empowerment Through Kicking Arse
I've been made aware through the years that there are some groups who don't consider Tai Chi a martial art, and don't teach it that way. That's not us.
Now, we're not in the business of inviting participants to fight each other (although we do play Push Hands from time to time.) Bottom line, the movements of Tai Chi are evidently punches, kicks, blocks and strikes. To see them any other way is to miss the spirit of the thing, and more than half the fun. The point is to learn how to apply force with one's entire body, from the ground, up through the core, and out through the hands.
In real life, chances are you won't need to get into a physical fight of any kind. (Let's hope not!) But there will come a time when you have to do something (lift a heavy box, push a heavy piece of furniture) that might be a bit beyond you. When you've learned how to do Tai Chi correctly, these physical challenges become a lot more do-able, and you greatly reduce the chances of hurting yourself.
My understanding is that those who teach that Tai Chi isn't a martial art do so with the claim that their focus is on Tai Chi for health "instead" of Tai Chi as martial art. I can think of few better ways to protect one's health than avoiding injury. Or, if it comes down to it, it seems obvious to me that self-defense, or learning to stand in one's power and physical integrity, is also an essential component of health, if only for the self esteem boost it brings. (Pro tip: there are many other reasons this is good for you!) In any case, it's been my experience that in Tai Chi, health and martial art go hand in hand: you can't have one without the other.
For many people, learning the martial art aspect of Tai Chi becomes their favourite part of class. I hope anyone who feels intimidated by this idea or isn't sure they'll like it would give it a try.
That Mojo Though
Small Classes
Our studio is moderate in size. This means our classes are not overpopulated and never will be. We can fit 15-17 people maximum into the space at one time. Many of the classes tend to average half that number. Beginner's classes tend to be even smaller. I'm not interested in teaching massive classes where people don't feel like they have access to individual instruction, and I won't.
Safe Space
I actively cultivate an environment where people are mutually respectful, pleasant, and full of good humour. Tai Chi and Qigong are tricky arts that can sometimes be frustrating, so it helps to laugh. We're also disciplined, dedicated to practice, and focused on the task at hand. We're social, but we're not a social club. We don't waste your precious practice time.
Unlike larger organisations, ego and politics don't have a place here. We don't harass our members or bully outside organisations or individuals. (Sorry, but there will be no rumbling in the parking lot with rival clubs! It's a matter of principle.)
Our classes are for the purpose of learning Tai Chi, Qigong, and related arts, and for that purpose alone.
Things We Do Not Do
Ask you for exclusivity
There are many groups where members who wish to train elsewhere are told in no uncertain terms that they can't unless they leave. That's not us. What you do with your own time is up to you.
Ask you for "donations" or "fundraising"
The fees you pay monthly and for any occasional workshops or classes serve to cover the cost of our rent and to compensate me for my time. This club is my part time job, and I'm very grateful that I get to do something so interesting and worthwhile as my work. I believe completely in the principle that you should get value for your money. Beyond the fees you pay for your training, you will not be asked to open your wallet.
Offer partial instruction
I don't teach internal martial arts sets in halves. If I commit to offer instruction in an art, I teach the whole thing. Although achieving balance in this is tricky, I try to honour whatever we've studied with some practice time each week or month. (If I slip on this, remind me!)
***
Above all, I'm very proud of the group that I've built with the help of each of my students. If you're already a member, I'm so glad you've chosen to train with me. If you're thinking of joining, with new Beginner's Tai Chi classes just underway this week, and Qigong classes always open to all levels, it's an excellent time.
Sincerely,
Melissa.
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