What Tai Chi has meant to/for me over the past few years
Hi, my name is Jeff and I am of mature age and I have been training at the Bundoora Tai Chi class for the last three years.
Why did I take up Tai Chi?
I really do not know why I started, but I know that it had come up in casual conversation with family members and I decided to give it a try.
Sporting background
My background in sport was not the normal for a person growing up in my era. Wearing glasses from a very young age I was not permitted to play football or cricket or really any contact sport. So I chose the unusual. Judo and Gymnastics were my choice in my school years moving onto squash, rowing and Taekwondo in my middle age. All of these I enjoyed and put everything I could into the sport to achieve what I wanted.
So let’s get into what Tai Chi means to me and how it has helped in my life
I have tried to categorize my thoughts and feelings under a minimum number of headings to explain what Tai Chi means to me. These are not in any specific sequence
Balance
As we all grow older one thing that seems to let us down is balance. The numbers of times that I have spoken to people that tell me they have tripped or fallen and had either a minor or major injury I could not count on the fingers of both hands. Tai Chi has helped with my balance. Techniques, like learning the basics of concentrating on a single point whilst standing on one leg is a major help in day to day life. When moving to be able to keep the body flowing, not jerky movements, is of great assistance in daily activities.
Learning / Education
From the day we start lessons we are learning the basics of blocking, striking, punching but we are also learning the very basics of moving the feet correctly and understanding how that affects your balance and not only while practicing Tai Chi. It can impact you day to day activities.
Learning something new is always important for personal growth. I believe that we should all try to learn something new every day of our life. Set yourself a challenge and work out how to juggle or solve a Rubik cube. It might take a little time but well worth the challenge.
Learning the routines we do every lesson (level 1 through 6) along with the Lotus, Beijing 24, Lotus, Lohan Warrior plus others is something we must strive for to enjoy sport or hobbies. By all means learn something new and then apply yourself to making what you learn better each time you practice it but you get to a point where you must learn something new.
Learning something is only the start of the journey. I am very happy to say that I learn something new almost every lesson. Sounds weird but a hand movement can be performed many ways and normally only one is correct. If unsure ask an instructor.
Practicing at home can be frustrating as when you get stuck on a movement you have no one to ask. Wrong, we now have the internet and most forms and routines can be found with some research. I have found this very helpful especially when you have that blank moment where you cannot remember the next moves.
Memory and Concentration
To be able to practice the different Tai Chi movements these two factors are important. The memory to be able to remember the multiple moves and there sequences, the concentration to be able to control the timing so that you carry out the routine in a controlled manner. Trying to finish the levels 1 to 6 in a time you set yourself, whether it is 12 or 15 minutes or another time.
Flexibility
During training it is emphasized that we exercise before and after training to keep injuries to a minimum. Many in the class are much more flexible than I am, and so they should be as they are a lot younger. I find that I now exercise every day (almost) followed by practicing some Tai Chi and I feel much better for it.
Understanding
The understanding could easily have been grouped with the learning but I see them as two slightly different perspectives on the sport. The routines in themselves all have a purpose but I find it important to try to understand what the movements are for. During training the Instructors can explain what a movement is to counter, or its purpose within the routine. Some movements are grouped together to ensure that you block correctly prior to performing the strike or another block.
Instructors and Helpers
I would like to thank the Instructors and helpers as I have found them very approachable and helpful in the learning process and the understanding of the martial art. I also would like to thank the whole class as the good humor that goes with the class adds to its enjoyment for me and I am sure others in the class.
Jeff Sparks
Student, Bundoora Centre
Updated: 20 September 2024
