Although any Tai Chi day is a good day, I love Wednesday Tai Chi classes for the accelerated learning. Let me explain why.
Learning Circles Perfect Character
Often we hold “learning circles” on Wednesdays.
Learning circles are special because they perfect our Tai Chi. I think I usually learn more on Wednesdays.
Mondays and Fridays we practice the forms and implement the lessons we have learned on Wednesday’s to earning circles.
It works like this: On Mondays, the instructors watch for mistakes as we practice. Imperfections noted will be addressed in the upcoming learning circles.
Perfecting of the Art
A true Tai Chi student should not be embarrassed if corrected. Quite the opposite: I appreciate getting my bad form addressed occasionally. Every mistake noted by my instructor is an opportunity for my growth.
We should never be satisfied to fake it through the forms. If we do that. we will never progress.
Learning a rough likeness of the form is okay for beginners. It is necessary and expected.
But Tai Chi, if well learned, brings about transformation. That is when we go to higher levels. It is not odious; I think it is fun and fulfilling. I enhances the mind, as much as the body. It improves the way I feel about life, about living, and about yhe people with whom I practice with and associate with. Why? I don’t know why; it just does.
Sometimes little errors creep in, buy I seek to iron out the little wrinkles in my style. I make mistakes, and that is okay, but I seek to correct them. Learning Circles are good for that.
I am never perfect, but I am always perfecting myself. Always trying to improve my art. This, for me, is part of the joy of Tai Chi: polishing the art leads to perfection of the character. Learning Circles learning circles help.
A routine has evolved: I learn on Wednesdays, I practice on Mondays and Fridays.
Newbies and Wednesdays
With all this discussion on learning advanced Tai Chi, the beginner might wonder, “Is Wednesday Learning Circle right for me?”
Yes!
The learning circle is great for beginners, because the focus is usually on just one or two skills. Often these are critical parts of the form that beginners have yet to learn. The detailed but simplified instruction introduction introduces advanced concepts. It can help beginners to feel more comfortable following along during the group practice of the short form.
Beginners and advanced students alike should always plan to attend learning circles if possible.
