The hunt for Taijiquan continues…..

Part 2: “Keep digging!”

…….be clear in your mind about what you hope to achieve before choosing a class and a teacher. Taijiquan can differ greatly depending on the teacher, their knowledge and understanding, and even their ability to teach. So, here is my quick guide to teachers, classes, and what to look for …...

First, I am going to have to shatter the illusion that you are going to develop into some sort of ultimate indestructible fighter without breaking a sweat or being hit in the face. My first piece of advice is to be clear in your mind with what you are looking for. If you are looking for Taijiquan as a fighting system, then the class you train in should resemble a gym. You will find students pouring with sweat as they condition their bodies with stance training, stretches and lots of endurance-based exercise. In the corner you will find others conditioning their fists and hands, and in the middle, you are going to see lots of different sparring - ranging from full contact free form, to half-speed and various types of Tui Shou practice. If your teacher is telling you that they teach self-defence and their room doesn’t smell like something is slowly rotting or brings back memories of sweaty school changing rooms, then be careful with your expectations. For any fighting style to be effective you are going to need to train like a fighter, get hit in the face like a fighter and be capable of hitting someone else in the face.

My next piece of advice is to watch closely and listen to how the teacher acts towards their students. This is the ‘smoke and mirrors’ illusion. In this class the teacher wonders knowingly about the class making micro adjustments and reciting elaborate exotic words. This teacher maintains a close circle of devout students that help him to ‘teach’ the class, and mystical secret knowledge and techniques are hinted at but never shared with the ‘beginners.’ In here there is a significant likelihood that the teacher is peddling their own brand of guru infused ‘snake oil.’ One that is based upon a small amount of knowledge and a seemingly never-ending collection of forms from a myriad of different styles and teachers. If this sounds like your teacher don’t panic. It doesn’t mean they are wrong or that they are a terrible teacher, but I would encourage you to be cautious and don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions before paying for that six-week beginners’ course they are pushing.

It has been my good fortune to meet and train with three incredible masters. Each one was capable of incredible displays of total mastery of their art, and each one was down to earth, spoke clearly and without the need for a dictionary of eastern incantations. Their students were valued because it was they who would eventually pass on their teachings, and their knowledge was willingly shared as and when it was most needed. To these amazing people, truth was and still is pure, uncomplicated, and without elaborate facades.

Sometimes, your choice of class and teacher is limited. Although Taiji and Qigong are going through a period of growth as society searches for the secrets to a happier and more healthy life. It is still more about geographical luck as to whether there is a teacher near you. For those who are still searching, don’t be put off, learn what you can from who you can. Eventually….

“When the student is ready the teacher will appear. When the student is truly ready... The teacher will Disappear.”

― Tao Te Ching

And finally, to all the teachers out there, you are the guardians of an encyclopaedia of knowledge that is hundreds of years’ old, respect it and the responsibility that comes with it, and remember to keep asking yourself if you are part of the problem.