The hunt for Taijiquan begins…..

Part 1: “X marks the spot!”

A hundred different teachers will have a hundred different ways of teaching the same thing. This is not necessarily a problem or a bad thing, as long as they stay true to the essence of what they teach. Issues arise when the teacher forgets their responsibility and instead become part of the problem.

I, myself, have been guilty of thinking that mine is the one true way, and that it is everyone else that is wrong. In truth Taijiquan has been in a constant state of evolution since its very first ‘single whip.’ No two bodies, shapes, sizes, ages, genders and dispositions are exactly the same, but all play their role in guiding how each of us will move. I have seen beautiful poise expressed in both genders and I have also seen both genders take to Taiji like Bambi on ice. The same can be said of each of these defining factors. So, what are the truths of Taiji? How do you develop and improve your forms? And, why is your teacher the problem?

Problems in the shapes of wrong turns and mistakes are inevitable. In fact, I would go so far as to say they are vital. To begin with you will have too many left hands and too many right feet, you will forget what comes next over and over again, and you will at some point contort your face into an intensely focused state of relaxation resembling a child with wind. Then there is your teacher. Some will insist that your little finger must be one degree lower, others that anything other than the 108 routine is cheating. Some will patrol the neat ranks of obedient students while whispering exotic words like incantations. Each one is offering you something, even that floaty forgetful hippy who encourages you to be a cloud. If you are really serious about learning Taiji then accept these problems that your teacher offers you. Sometimes it is not about finding the perfect teacher, instead it is about finding the right lessons. What truly matters is how you, as the student, approaches the process of learning and discovering your own Taiji. To all the teachers out there, don’t forget to be a student. Ask questions of yourselves as well as your students, keep learning and remember to remain grounded in reality. I am not a fighter and I am fine with that, but are you?

Taijiquan is a hundred different things to a hundred different people, but what cannot be disputed is that it is a process. To learn this beautiful art is to accept the need to refine yourself, accept and evolve who you are, and to recognise that finding balance and harmony with the universe is the truth that we all are seeking. If your teacher doesn’t make mistakes, occasionally heads off in different directions, or doesn’t acknowledge that they too are a student, then recognise that they too are on a journey and that it might be a different one to yours. Some teachers will emphasise the importance of form, others will claim to be the gate keepers of the secrets to the internal, and some will declare that they are fighters. Few will offer all three truths of Taijiquan although many will claim to possess the knowledge. Enjoy the journey that your teacher offers but don’t forget it is your journey and not theirs, only you can walk it.

Which brings me to………………………