I’m continuing to go to the Tai Chi class, and gradually getting to grips with it; it is a different form from what I learned many, many years ago, which I can only half remember anyway! The difference between me learning then and me learning now, is the internet! there are some wonderful videos, for teaching or just watching so rally there is no excuse for me not practising, or not properly leaning the moves. Our teacher follows the style of Master Jesse Tsao, which is a shorter form than the one I originally followed… so maybe I’ll manage better with fewer moves!
Tai Chi or T’ai Chi Ch’uan, originated as a way of practising the martial moves of warriors training to fight. Most people practice for exercise or relaxation, or as a form of meditation, there are as many reasons for doing it as there are differnt teachers! It is thought to have started in a prescribed form in the twelfth century, and since then many teachers have followed their own paths and developed particular styles until now there are five main schools, Chen-style , Yang-style , Wu- or Wu (Hao), Wu-style and Sun-style.. I originally leaned Yang, but now, as I said, my teacher is teaching us Chen style.
Whatever style you follow, look at this beautiful practitioner:
Lois Elsden 
My Tai Chi lesson is very basic: Draw a biiiig water melon… slice it in half, I give one half to you, and one half to you. Seems almost unfair that I don’t get to keep any of the water melon myself…
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I like it! And I will share the water melon with you!
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I’ve been wanting to learn Tai Chi for quite some time now ~ ever since I saw a man practicing on the beach as the sun rose into a brilliantly colored sky! Finding a good teacher really is a concern of mine. Now I’m even more interested to find out the differences of the five main schools! I had no idea there would be so many choices! Do you have any advice for me or thoughts on what to look for?
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I think having a friendly class is the main thing… Also if there is one near and convenient to you join it and see how you get on… yo can always try another one! I’m no expert, but I loved my original class all those years ago, but I’m also enjoying where I go now although it is rather a large group. You’ll also probably meet other people at the class who have tried different styles and can help you decide if there are several local places. I hope you find somewhere and love it as much as i do!
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Thank you! I’ll give it a try.
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