To bear that which you think you cannot bear is really to bear.
(Nitobe)
Learning tai chi
Our school of tai chi adopts a
taoist approach to learning; there is no rivalry, competition,
anxiety, winning or losing.
Whilst there is a detailed
syllabus and a clear method of development, students are free to
proceed at their own pace.
What is stress?
Stress is a condition of anxiety caused by the inability to
cope
with a situation.
A person feels to be under pressure and they become upset.
They are often encouraged to see themselves as being a
failure when the pressure becomes
too much.
Modern living is directed to a large extent by business
and money.
Companies regard everything as a commodity to be exploited and often apply
this same attitude towards people.
Common solutions
The usual antidote to stress is
relaxation.
Some people take up exercise, go on holiday, take prescription drugs,
overeat or drink alcohol.
Sometimes, solutions are simply distractions and fail to deal with
the stress at all.
None of these 'solutions' really addresses the problem, which is the
inability to cope.
Coping
The most sensible approach to stress may be to adopt a different attitude to
coping.
'Coping' is the way in which you handle a situation and has the connotation
of being in
control.
In reality, our ability to control external events is quite limited.
In tai chi we initially focus upon
our own behaviour and consider
how we respond.
Later, self consciousness passes and we become immersed completely in the
happening.
Rather than seek control, we cope by addressing
the underlying concerns of a given situation.
Coping is not easy.
There is no quick fix or easy answer.
Lao Tzu teaches that we should deal with difficulties whilst they
are still small.
If it is past that stage, then you need to be calm and patient.
Take small steps.
Go easy on yourself.
Build a strong foundation by sorting out small problems, by creating good
habits.
Habit
Almost everything that we do involves habits.
You can create positive habit patterns by undertaking small tasks and
gaining satisfaction by completing them.
Washing the dishes or cleaning the house can be immensely satisfying because
they are manageable,
meditative and have a tangible outcome.
Small positive acts train you to find
order in chaos and peace in everyday
activities.
Under pressure
In
our tai chi we regard partner work as stress management.
You are faced with situations that test your ability to remain loose and
relaxed at all times.
The training develops a growing awareness of your own body, mind and
emotions.
Composure is paramount.
Simple activities encourage the student to become lost in the event rather
than
planning and worrying.
Tai chi requires the student to respond calmly to the
demands of the moment, to be sensitive to the
relationship they have with the world
around them.
Self defence
Self defence training is the best form of
stress management.
Learning how to stand alone against assailants who plan to hurt you
is a serious test of nerve.
It is essential to remain
calm when faced with a crisis.
Tai chi demands that the student does not tense-up or meet force with force;
the system must be applied in accord with what is happening.
The ability to meet such
challenges is a major coping skill and demonstrates strong character.
Our students proceed through the self defence syllabus with a grin on their
face; nothing is asked of them that they cannot do.
We find that each individual knows when they are ready for a challenge and
will ask for it when the time is right.
Page created 22 January 1999