My first Tai Ji lesson
I had my first Tai Ji lesson on Sunday. Apart from being 10 minutes late it went well, unexpected road works on Sichuan Road...doh!
Although you are moving slowly and don't look like you are doing much Tai Ji is actually quite strenuous, especially on the legs. After riding to the school and back and an hour and a half of Tai Ji I was knackered. I think I will certainly keep it up as it demands alot of attention and practice to get all the moves correct and in time and there are many subtle moves of the hands, feet and body that have to be coordinated to get the desired result. It will certainly need practice everyday to even remember the forms (a set of movements) as the first form has 30 movements and there are 89 forms in the style I am learning, which is Wu Southern Style.
The lessons I am doing are with another couple, who are Chinese, so most of the lesson is given in Chinese but the teacher, Chou Zhong Fu, does describe some of the more detailed points to me in English. In the main though I can pick it up by watching carefully and, after a chat with the teacher in the break, the more complex theory and practice will be layered in later on, once I have mastered the form's movements.
I didn't take any photos during the lesson as I thought it would be disrespectful but the pics here are of the centre I am learning at, which houses many styles of martial art and has a gym, and of me practicing at home. As you can see Tai Ji attracts all sorts.
Although you are moving slowly and don't look like you are doing much Tai Ji is actually quite strenuous, especially on the legs. After riding to the school and back and an hour and a half of Tai Ji I was knackered. I think I will certainly keep it up as it demands alot of attention and practice to get all the moves correct and in time and there are many subtle moves of the hands, feet and body that have to be coordinated to get the desired result. It will certainly need practice everyday to even remember the forms (a set of movements) as the first form has 30 movements and there are 89 forms in the style I am learning, which is Wu Southern Style.
The lessons I am doing are with another couple, who are Chinese, so most of the lesson is given in Chinese but the teacher, Chou Zhong Fu, does describe some of the more detailed points to me in English. In the main though I can pick it up by watching carefully and, after a chat with the teacher in the break, the more complex theory and practice will be layered in later on, once I have mastered the form's movements.
I didn't take any photos during the lesson as I thought it would be disrespectful but the pics here are of the centre I am learning at, which houses many styles of martial art and has a gym, and of me practicing at home. As you can see Tai Ji attracts all sorts.
posted by Nick at
10:31 am
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