Q: How many taijiquan practitioners does it take to screw in a light bulb?
A: Just one. But we do it a little differently in our school.
I have been teaching taijiquan for a quarter of a century now, and I emphasize different aspects than other teachers. Comes with the turf.
My primary interest, though, is finding the universal principles that underlie all styles that make even apparent opposites effective. And a big part of that is in identifying what you are actually trying to accomplish with a particular posture or movement. Once you get that, you can see how to get out of your own way. It’s amazing how much energy becomes available when y0u let go of the subconscious patterns that restrict your movements.
My goal is to demystify the process so that anyone who wants to can see where they are holding themselves back. So I start with two basic concepts (energetic coherence and central equilibrium) and build from there.
People often ask me when I will offer a class in Manhattan again. I have no plans for an ongoing one anytime soon, but I will be doing five weeks at the NY Open Center at the start of the new year.
Free Introductory Class January 6, 6–7:30pm
January 13–February 10, 2014
(4 sessions) Mondays, 6–7:30pm
No class on January 20.
The Open Center, 22 E. 30th St.
Members: $115 / Nonmembers: $125
Early Bird: $100/$110 by Dec. 23
These classes are open to all. If you know no taijiquan and want to know what the fuss is about, come on down! If you have been practicing a form for twenty years and can’t feel your qi on a regular basis, or your Wardoff can’t really ward anything off, or you don’t know the difference between true energetic Rooting and mechanical bracing–well this is for you! We’ll deconstruct a few simple moves so that you can see how they work. And you’ll learn how to do it for yourself.
Taijiquan is not about learning a fixed set of moves and doing the same thing over and over. It’s about discovering “What else is possible?” Each new thing learned becomes a platform to go deeper into that question.
Register with the Open Center and let them know you are coming (at least for the free intro on January 6). Tell your friends.
Fun will be had!
