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Helps to Keep Me Young

Submitted by everyadmin on Mon, 04/30/2012 - 16:26

Tai Chi Helps to Keep Me Young

– interviewed by Instructor Lis

Susan trained as an athlete and gymnast when she was young. When she began Tai Chi in 2000, it wasn’t difficult for her physically or in terms of coordination, because of her earlier training. Now in her late forties, her body has retained it's fitness and relative flexibility as she ages. Her biggest challenge came from the Qigong, learning to relax the mind and to relax internally.

Perseverance is something she learned through her early athletics training. It is an aspect of her personality she is pleased to see manifesting itself in her sons, as they grow into young men. She continued practising the Qigong, believing Brett when he said it would be beneficial. She gradually began to appreciate the value of Qigong more and more as her form and practice improved. She feels strongly that “all students need to go through this internal training to go deeply into the movements. If you don't, you don’t understand your Tai Chi.”

When she started with the Academy in 2000, she learned the traditional Yang Style and a Qigong technique called Embracing the Tree. Sometime later, she missed a few terms. When she returned to classes in 2004, we were teaching Hun Yuan Tai Chi and the current Qigong sets. “I had to start as a beginner again, but I found it much easier the second time. I understood the importance of the Qigong as well, but the exercises were easier to relax into. I didn’t find the Hun Yuan Tai Chi difficult to learn after learning the Yang style.”

Susan attends class twice each week, and her family knows Mondays and Wednesdays are her nights out. “It’s become a habit, but I like the way things change all the time. Every class, I watch Brett learn something new. I see how low he goes and tries to go just a little bit lower myself. I am amazed at how different it makes the form. It’s like learning something new all over again. That’s one of the reasons I keep coming to class — to keep learning.”

Susan has always been aware of her posture and naturally holds herself straight. However, she has become much more aware of little aches and pains or tensions in her body as she gets older. “My job involves sitting either at my desk or in a car and sometimes my back will feel stiff. I do some Tai Chi exercises and the pain dissolves very quickly in, at most, a day or two. All my work colleagues often complain about back and neck pain. I tell them to do Tai Chi, and I also point out how sitting with a straight spine is important – ‘sit as though you’re standing’ and they think I’m crazy.” But Susan’s back isn’t chronically sore.

“I walk for an hour every morning, regardless of the weather. Every morning. Sometimes, my twenty-one-year-old sons come with me, and I’m glad he is learning to care for his health. I haven’t convinced either son to take up Tai Chi yet although they have done martial art. They think I’m too small to use Tai Chi applications on them …… but they haven’t seen the way that Brett demonstrates!

We live near a mountain and I love to walk up to the top and do my practice in my special space. It’s my serene spot and it’s beautiful.”

(This is an actual interview, but the name has been changed for reasons of privacy.)

article_type: 

  • interview

Interviews

Finding His Passion - Brett
Self Development - Chris
My Tai Chi Journey - Lis

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China trip

Managing Parkinson's
My Tai Chi Journey - Lis
Recovery from Accident
Training Saved the Day
Wu Dao Gong - Fei Wang
Tai Chi & Yang Mian
Tai Chi & Wu Dao Gong
Restore Health
Engages the Mind
Better Coordination and Focus Leads to Better Daily Life Skills
Enhances My Life & Work
Throwing off Stress
Training - I Know Myself
Great Rewards
Stress Relief with Tai Chi
Helps to Keep Me Young
A Fresh Outlook on Life
Maintaining a Balance
Finding His Passion - Chief Instructor Brett Wagland
Path of Self Development - Chris
Hun Yuan Qigong - the Key to Developing Internal Energy
Silk Reeling Gong - the Key to Improving Your Tai Chi Form
Reflections on the Tai Chi & Meditation Retreat, April 2016
Moving with Awareness Enhances Vitality
What is the Difference between Fancy Forms and Gong Fu?
An Insight from Chen Xiang
Training with Chen Xiang
Interview with Feng Xiu Qian
What is the Purpose of Practising Tai Chi Slowly?
The Tao of Success in Life
Energy for Life
Find Better Health through a Calm Mind
Tai Chi as Calligraphy
The Wisdom of Internal Arts
Training in Wu Dao Gong, Natural Style Kung Fu
Qigong: the Art of Living Well in Body, Mind and Spirit
So, Why Should You Practise?
Transforming the Body from Weakness to Strength
Celebrating the Year of the Rabbit with Tai Chi and Martial Arts Demonstrations
How Tai Chi and Wu Dao Gong improve your Sporting Performance
China Trip - 2017 Highlights
China Trip - 2013 Highlights
China Trip - 2011 Highlights
China Trip - 2009 Highlights
China Trip - 2007 Highlights
China Trip - 2006 Highlights
China Trip - 2005 Highlights
China Trip - 2004 Highlights
China Trip - 2003 Highlights

 

 

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