How should we practice in our own time?
Do you practice outside class? How do you practice? And if so, how often do you do it?
Having been teaching for close to 10 years and I've had many discussions with students. I encourage discussions and the sharing of ideas. How I train might not suit all and I don't encourage students to blindly follow advice. From observations, students fall into 2 camps. Those who practice outside of class and those who don't. Practicing outside class is a matter of personal choice and I don't force students to do so. We all have our reasons and what we want to get out of Tai Chi or Qigong. So here are some points on practice and I want to keep it simple.
Tai Chi
Repetition - You may repeat the entire form or just part of a section, but make it meaningful.
Revisit the basics - Learning new things is pointless if you're not practicing the foundation skills.
Pressure - Tai Chi is only a competition in martial arts tournaments. Trying to out-do your classmates gives you unnecessary stress.
Qigong
Less is more - You don't need lots of different Qigong exercises. Practice what you make you feel good or helps you physically or mentally.
Repetition - In class we do each Qigong 8 times. Doing 8 means it isn't too little or many. In your own time, do how many you feel is adequate.
Points that relate to both Tai Chi & Qigong
Take ownership - You own what you worked for, not your instructor.
Warm up - It isn't a good idea to train cold.
Control - Quality is more meaningful that quantity.
Consistency - Come up with realistic training plan that you can follow.
Listen to your body - Don't over train and moderation is key.
Keeping it real - Practice only what you've been taught and how it should be done.
Change is good - A bit of variety is no bad thing.
Music - Your choice.
Don't suffer in silence - It is OK to forget and if there is something you're not sure about, ask your instructor*.
If you want to progress, you can only do that with practice. I encourage students to practice in their own time. Practice, does not make perfect for those who engage in aimless repetition. Don't blame others if you're not making the effort or taking ownership of your own Tai Chi or Qigong journey. Honesty matters and at the end of the day, your training doesn't lie.
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*A martial arts instructor should be there for students outside class. The instructor is not just there to teach you, but also your mentor and in many case, for a long time. Therefore, the definition of the role is much broader and deeper. If a student fails, it is also the instructor's responsibility.
