Instruction question

[Anonymous]

Hello- I am impressed by what I have read about Bruce and his philosophy on tai chi.

My question is this: I am just starting tai chi and my instructor is very nice and helpful but he does not teach according to the curriculum Bruce advises. For instance, he is going though the entire Chen style 19 movement form instead of focusing on individual movements to start, and he is throwing in weapons and push hands right away.

How can I practice tai chi the right way if there are none of Bruce’s instructors in my area (I checked). I can’t see how I can use Bruce’s traning materials if my instructor is teaching in a different manner. I certainly don’t want to start off with my instructor by presuming to correct him, and I do like him. It’s a good workout and he is teaching self defense applications (he also did learn from one of the top teachers of the art), but his method is not an organized system for learning the art.

Any help you can give would be appreciated. Where would you go from here?

[Anonymous]

I don’t think there is any right way. It just depends what you want to get out of it. I’d just run with it until I could work out what I want to do. Learn the movements while figuring out if the classes are leading anywhere.

Even Bruce advocates starting out superficially with the movements, and then going back and adding in detail.

[Anonymous]

Hi Mike,

This is going to come across like a product pitch, but I think your question is exactly what Paul’s new online course is designed to address: http://www.energyarts.com/five-keys-taoist-energy-arts-10-week-online-program

There is nothing style-specific in the Five Keys, but all the exercises form the base of any work you’d do in a particular style…so if you’re with someone who can teach you movements, push hands, etc., you can supplement with breathing, standing, and the energy work in the other exercises.

IMO, this is one of Bruce’s major contributions to the West when it comes to Tai Chi. He was really a pioneer in revealing what was going on inside the movements, not just teaching the outer shapes.

Hope that helps,
Dan

[Anonymous]

Hello Mike –

I would recommend giving your practice and body some time to cultivate. It took me awhile to find a teacher that I felt good practicing with and then it took time for me to develop my energy flow. Every teacher is going to have different perspectives and will have learned differently from their teachers. The martial aspect of Tai Chi should be present in the curriculum, or your practice and cultivation will be limited. I have not studied directly with Sifu Bruce, but have studied his books and lectures and can tell you he is a rare gem. His training will take you deep into the internal arts and benefit you tremendously. Perhaps you can integrate Bruce’s material (books, videos, retreats) to what you are learning. The path is an adventure worth exploring, enjoy it!

[Anonymous]

Thanks for your comments. After more research I did find a good internal arts school here that I plan on checking out. I may still supplement that with Bruce’s training materials though.

Kind Regards,
Mke

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