PD Friends,
Questions were asked about taiji ("Tai Chi" in a different Chinese
transliteration). I took taiji for a couple of years (long before dx
of PD). You *really* need a good instructor to get anything out of
it. A video tape will teach you the choreography of the form, but
not the essence of taiji. You need an instructor right there who can
lay hands on you and move you to the proper alignment and wiggle you
around until you are properly relaxed. There's much, much, much more
to taiji than just the "dance."
I have several tapes myself and even having taken the classes I find
them less than useful for anything except reminding myself "what
comes next." Tapes are just a step above picture books in usefulness.
If anyone is interested in my opinion on the subject, I'll even give
you some criteria on who will make a good instructor. Taiji was
originally, and still is, a martial art. That is, it's oriented
towards combat. Now days, on this side of the Pacific, many taiji
instructors are "new age" types that seem to think that incense and
weird music/sounds are necessary for the "experience." IMHO (in my
humble opinion) avoid them! Taiji is nearly impossible to abosrb
(barring a perfect memory) unless you see the underlying reasons for
the form being the way it is. It seems essentially random and
reasonless. Not to mention *long*. If you understand *why* it is
the way it is, it's *much* easier to remember. Also you'll get more
out of it. And since those reasons have their roots in the martial
arts history of taiji, you need an instructor who is knowledgeable in
this. My instructor trained in Taiwan.
Look for an instructor who not only teaches taiji but will teach
"push hands" or toisho. (I'm not sure I spelled that correctly in any
transliteration. It's pronounced "toy show.") This is a two person
exercise that is used in contests and is a fighting form. I don't
recommend that you take push hands instruction, just learn from an
instructor who knows that form since it will guarantee that he/she
knows a bit about taiji combat.
Having waxed eloquent about the proper instructor, I'll make a
qualification. Sometimes you don't have a choice. Any instructor is
much better than no instructor. Even a new-ager.
Someone mentioned that taiji involved a lot of standing on one leg.
True, but don't let that worry you. There are "tricks" to learning
how to do that. I wrote up a long message on that subject once. If
anyone is interested I'll forward it to them - assuming I can find
it. Drop me a private message. (I'm in "digest" mode on the list so
I don't see messages there for some time.)
Bill
(55 now/54 dx/53 first symptoms)
PS - You know the circular "yin-yang" symbol? It's name in Chinese
is "taiji." Literally translated, taiji means "grand ultimate" but
it is better left un-translated since it is just a name for a
philosophical/religious/martial arts concept. Briefly it is about
the balance of opposite forces (light-dark, male-female, heavy-light,
etc.) as being at the ultimate core of existence. [Balance -> one
leg. See the connection?]
--
Bill Innanen <mailto: [log in to unmask]>
<http://Bill.Innanen.com> & <http://mni.ms>
