The answer to the above question is: “It Depends”. I’m sure there are many reasons why some people find Tai Chi hard to learn. For brevity, I will only address a few of the possible reasons.
Let’s talk about several reasons why (although I’m sure there are quite a few more): It could be the instructor and their manner of teaching. It could be the chosen Tai Chi form (some are more difficult than others). It could be the environment (some environments are not conducive to effective learning). It could also be the student.
Many first time students come to class because they observed people doing Tai Chi on television, the big screen, on the internet or, in a park (in the US or another country); they became enthralled by the slow, fluid, lovely movements. It looked so simple! It is simple, but is it easy? No! Watching is very different from learning. There is more depth and more complexity to Tai Chi than most people realize, especially at the beginning.
Let’s talk about Tai Chi first: Most movements look complicated because a student isn’t used to moving in that way. Tai Chi is a mind/body exercise and that can be a challenge as well, because the movements require “full-body integration”. According to Master Jesse Tsao (Tai Chi Heathways), Tai Chi “looks a lot like slow dancing”. We need to realize that dancers have a “strong, upright posture” and don’t slouch over. The same is true of Tai Chi. Posture and alignment are ever so important, as is correct weight distribution. At the beginning, just watch your instructor and mimic his or her movements in order to get a sense of the flow.
As you move, your muscles (and you) should be relaxed, which will help you to become more flexible and fluid. Tai Chi is not competitive. There is no rush. Slower is better. Even though Tai Chi movements are slow, it’s important to move with a purpose. Movement and breath are synchronized. Abdominal breathing, along with slow movements, improves the flow of oxygen, blood and Qi.
Remember that (I repeat this constantly in class), when one body part moves, all body parts move. When one stops (or arrives), all stop (or arrive). No part moves independently. This is a difficult concept for most people, and it does takes some practice. Sounds like a big task! It is at the beginning, but with practice, it will become much easier.
Now let’s talk about the student? Are they truly interested, motivated, willing to put in the time and effort? Are they patient, or do they expect to “get it” immediately. Do they become frustrated when it doesn’t come easily? Bottom line: are they willing to practice?
If you find learning Tai Chi hard, it’s because it is hard. There is no secret formula or method to make it easier. Learning any new skill, talent, or exercise is usually difficult and challenging. And, like learning anything you’ve never done before, it takes time, work, and practice. The more you put into it, the better your return on your investment. The fact that you find it difficult “is no reason to stop.”
Another issue is focus. In order to attain the mental clarity that Tai Chi provides, you have to be focused when you practice. If you come to class sick, angry, or stressed, you might have more trouble focusing. You can’t learn if your mind is busy thinking about what you are cooking for dinner, or tasks that await you at home. This is something everyone (student or experienced practitioner) needs to work on. It’s not easy to remove all distractions from your mind, but it is possible and extremely important. You can’t learn if you are not engaged in what you are doing.
It is really unfortunate that many students quit before they see the fruits of their labor. I’ve talked to many long-term students and they’ve told me how they thought about quitting early in their classes, but they stuck it out because their bodies felt better during and after each class. Now they are in it for the long haul, and it’s wonderful to watch them grow in confidence, and to see how smooth and flowing their movements have become.
Last but not least, what about your instructor? Is he or she qualified (and I don’t just mean certified)? Not everyone who can do, can teach effectively. Is your instructor patient and detail oriented? Is your instructor observant and capable of correcting a student in a kind, understanding manner? Your instructor should be watching to ensure that you are following the Tai Chi Principles, that you are not in danger of injuring yourself, and that your weight distribution and alignment are correct.
Did you notice how many times I’ve used the word “practice” in this blog? A good instructor can see which students practice between classes, and those who only practice on class days. Practice is truly the “secret”, if you will, to being successful and enjoying all the benefits that you can derive from Tai Chi. It’s not how many postures or forms you know, it’s how well you do the postures you do know.
There is so much depth to Tai Chi, you can practice and continue learning for the rest of your life. Some people choose and practice one form for their entire life. Some do more than one. The important thing is to give it time and your best efforts, you will be so glad that you did!
The benefits you derive are not just for class time! Hopefully, what you learn will carry over into your everyday life. The result will be a healthier you, both mentally, physically, and spiritually.
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