I find it interesting that in tai chi, more so than other martial arts I have been involved in, there seems to be many people that seek out free tai chi. By free tai chi I'm referring to those little groups that form where people share what they know with each other in hopes of gaining one or two tidbits of information. Unfortunately for them they get what they pay for and typically pick up one or two bad habits that in reality do not further their goal of learning real tai chi.
Tai Chi Chuan seems so simple to learn, after all there are a whole bunch of videos out there to get instruction from. There are all kinds of teachers out there that spent 3 months to a year learning a tai chi form and now teach it at the local gym, etc. Why should someone pay good money to learn Tai Chi, when so many want to share their knowledge and give it away? I mean heck I can learn the form in a couple of months, whats with push hands, so simple...... :)
If Tai Chi was so simple why did it take the masters of the art sooo many years to truly learn it and be able to apply it? The answer is that Tai Chi Chuan ain't that simple! AND chances are if you meetup with a group of people to pick up one or two things you will pick up one or two bad habits that won't further your Tai Chi but in reality work against it.
The reality of Tai Chi Chuan is that it is actually really difficult to find a real master of the art to learn from and as a result most learn from seminars and workshops by traveling from tai chi teacher to tai chi teacher in hopes of getting it. I have to admit that when I moved from my native art of Wing Chun I was headed towards I Chuan and ended up loving and practicing Tai Chi. I was really lucky in that I found a true master of I Chuan and Tai Chi to learn from along with one of his best students (Grandmaster Sam Tam and Ilia Pak). I have spent countless hours of private instruction with both of my teachers and lots and lots of money on instruction, workshops and retreats with Sifu Tam and Ilia. Why have I done this when, Gee - tai chi should be so easy to learn and heck I can find a group of people in the park to hang out with.
True, applicable tai chi that extends into your very being cannot be learned from a tape/dvd or some joe or jane at the park. You have to seek it out and be patient because those that truly have learned from a good teacher also paid dearly for their knowledge in both money and sweat so they aren't going to give away the good stuff at a meetup or in a park.
As Lee Scheele mentioned over dinner one evening in CA, with Sifu Tam present, Lee knew less than a handful of people in the world with Sifu Tam's skill. Sifu quickly pointed out that this wasn't the case, there are many, its just that they aren't well known and not very public with their knowledge.
So the next time you figure you're going to go pick up a few tips from your local "free group" get together give it a little more thought. Swallow your ego, spend some good money and go learn real tai chi from someone that has also paid the price of admission in sweat and coin of the realm.
Best wishes,
Jordan
1 comment:
In today's world, many of us are not able to appreciate sacrifice. We do
not pay the teacher for his skill or to be taught Tai Chi. We give a
donation based on our respect for him, for his commitment to us as students,
and as a sacrifice in our lives as a symbol of our commitment. While many
students are motivated to help and heal others, there are just as many if
not more students who are interested solely in skill and developing their
personal technique. For many students, without a sacrifice, without tasking
themselves and challenging themselves to commit financially to their own
education, they will always hold part of themselves back. A student who
holds himself apart from Tai Chi will not get the same benefit as someone
who fully embraces Tai Chi. Also the money that a student gives to his
teacher (if the teacher is upright) will go back 100% into the education of
the student, more opportunities, more hands on and personal time with their
Grandmaster, etc. You write "If one does need remuneration, and if Tai Chi
makes peoples' lives better, why charge?" On the other side, if getting the
best Tai Chi available incurs a cost, and it improves your life
immeasurably, why not pay? What is your health worth to you? Your
happiness? That's not saying there can't be good Tai Chi in this world for
free, but we take the opportunities that are given to us; the path that
feels the most correct. I would not feel upright if I did not donate to my
teacher and show my appreciation for his time, his skill, and his
attention. His relationship with me is not about the finances; it is merely
a part that I recognize, a gift to a friend, father, and teacher. Like most
students I would have had a much harder time finding the income for my
studies when I was younger. So I took the opportunities I could find, paid
for what training I could, and made the absolute most out of each second
because I had even less flexibility in my spending. I feel that this has
benefited me, my students, and their students as they move forward in our
family. Joshua Graff
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