Once upon a time there was a Chinese farmer who lost a horse; it ran away.
All his neighbours came around that evening and said, "That's too bad."
And he said, "Maybe."
The next day the horse came back and brought seven wild horses with it,
and all the neighbours came around and said, "Isn't that great?"
And he replied, "Maybe."
The next day his son was attempting to tame one of the horses and was
thrown from it and broke his leg, and all the neighbours came around and
said, "Well, that's just too bad isn't it?"
And the farmer said, "Maybe."
The next day the conscription officers came around looking for people for
the army,
and they rejected his son because he had a broken leg.
All the neighbours came around in the evening and said, "Isn't that
wonderful?"
And he said, "Maybe."
(Alan Watts)
Alert
Our tai chi classes make people feel more
alert.
Students are required to be open to new ideas and explore the material for
themselves.
There is the joy of discovery, of finding out for yourself what works.
Self defence training increases your physical and mental
awareness; you become more
receptive and you notice more.
Your body suddenly seems to be telling you things. This is not new. What's
new is that you are listening.
Vibrant
The training gives you a serious buzz.
Once you
commit to weekly lessons and start practicing at home, you really
notice a difference.
Instead of feeling lethargic and bored, you feel energised and vibrant.
Your mind is quite calm and your emotions
composed, but you feel alive.
Drowsy
Many students feel
drowsy at the end of a tai chi session and feel
like going to sleep.
Yet they also feel pleasantly alert, but without any anxiety.
Their muscles are relaxed and their minds are calm.
Ultimately, you reach a point where this dreamy state of relaxation remains
throughout the day.
Stronger
Everyone becomes
stronger in our classes.
We
condition the body to endure more exercise and develop some serious
stamina.
Age is not a
problem unless you have serious health concerns.
Nobody is ever pushed; they proceed at their own pace.
Slowly, patiently, the body re-grows.
We test this emerging strength to
encourage further development and confidence in the training.
Perspective
Balancing your tai chi with reading
tao helps your mind find harmony in life
and you see things quite differently.
Literal examples in class encourage you to see things differently.
How we were educated to regard reality is not the only option open to us.
Our classes challenge conventional wisdom and cultivate an
inquiring mind
that seeks out alternatives.
Problematic situations now seem innocuous, and life
becomes easier as your barriers soften within.
Page created 15 September 2001