Learning t’ai chi ch’uan requires the beginning student to possess many physical and mental attributes. While a general level of fitness, a modicum of mind-body coordination, and a smidgen of courage to try something new are certainly at the top of the list for learning success, many students still fail to learn this remarkable martial art despite possessing these attributes. As a long-time acupuncturist, a practitioner of Chinese medicine, and a t’ai chi instructor, I’ve seen the following common mistakes with new t’ai chi practitioners.
You Don’t Find an Instructor That’s a Good Fit
The first failure occurs when beginner t’ai chi ch'uan students study with a teacher who is not a good fit for them. To ascertain a good fit, the first thing a student should ask for is the teacher’s instructional lineage.
In the t’ai chi ch’uan world, there are three main “family” schools from which most of today’s schools sprang—Yang, Chen, and Wu. And while there are other legitimate lineage schools, a teacher who studied at one of these “Big Three” schools has at least one crucial credential.
Once the teacher’s t’ai chi ch'uan lineage has been ascertained, the next question is who the teacher studied with, and for how long. Qualified teachers should have a minimum of five years of study with a master, and then five or more years’ experience teaching others.
Having established the teacher’s credentials, the remaining question is whether the teacher and the school will be a good fit for the student’s personal learning needs. You can easily determine this by asking permission to observe or participate in a class to decide if you’ll be compatible with the teacher.
This last test for fit is a critical one—unfortunately, some students find a well-qualified teacher but fail to succeed because they have issues with the program curriculum, the teacher’s personality, or the school locale and layout.
You Don’t Take the Time to Practice
Another reason a t’ai chi student might not take to the form is if they are unwilling to diligently practice the postures and techniques learned in class. Despite looking graceful, simple, and elegant (especially when performed by a master), t’ai chi ch'uan requires a level of dedication and rigor that is not required by many other physical exercises.
The unique forms taught by the different family schools mentioned above share a single, defining characteristic—they all consist of a series of postures that must be performed correctly and in a specific order. To be able to execute the form correctly, a student must not only attend class religiously but commit to daily practice at home to consolidate what they learned in each class session. Failure to practice for a set period of time each day will prevent the student from mastering the skills necessary to successfully learn the form.
You Don’t Adhere to Principles
The third failure comes from the student’s unwillingness or inability to adhere to the principles of the form of t’ai chi ch'uan that the chosen instructor teaches. Every legitimate form of t’ai chi ch'uan has bedrock principles that must be adhered to when learning and performing the exercise.
For example, the Cheng Man Ching short form of the Yang family school has five principles of execution—Relax, Keep the Body Upright (often called “Suspend the Head Top”), Turn the Waist, Maintain Proper Foot Weighting (“Separation of Yin and Yang”), and Keep the Hands Supple (“Beautiful Lady’s Hand”).
Students who fail to adhere to these five principles while learning this particular form generally do not progress in their studies, despite putting in the required hours of daily practice described earlier.
You Don’t Have the Patience
The fourth common mistake we see is a student’s lack of patience. Many students are led astray by the popular philosophy of “see one, do one, teach one.” While such a philosophy may apply to learning how to scramble an egg, when it comes to the mastery of t’ai chi ch'uan it only sets the student up for failure.
Like many art forms, even the simplest of the family school forms can take a year or more of instruction just to learn the proper sequence. Executing the form with polish, continuity, and style can take a lifetime to achieve, and many students quit in disgust after a relatively short period of study because of their impatience with themselves or their teacher.
You Fail to Be Curious
The last thing that I see derail t’ai chi students is when they lack curiosity. Decades ago, students of t’ai chi ch'uan had few resources to consult when learning the form, usually just their own teacher. Today’s student has access to a wide array of learning resources. In addition to workshops and competitions, there is a multitude of books, videos, and the ever-present Internet to choose from.
The last resource, while frequently a source of misinformation that can lead the curious student astray, can also be an invaluable tool for deepening their learning of a specific posture, or helping them appreciate the historical context and significance of the form they are studying. So while paying close attention to what a skilled teacher has to offer in class is certainly a critical ingredient for success in learning, curiosity-driven study can enhance the potential for the mastery and enjoyment of t’ai chi ch'uan.
Study with an Expert with Ruler Tai Chi™ Classes in Greeley
I am a nationally-certified Chinese acupuncturist and herbalist, and I’ve practiced and taught the art of t’ai chi ch'uan for more than 40 years. Alongside tai chi workshops, I regularly teach Ruler Tai Chi™ in Greeley and around Northern Colorado, and I’d love to have you join me if you’re local. If you feel like we are a good fit, I am confident I can help you avoid the other pitfalls beginning t’ai chi practitioners face.
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