I have been studying Tai Chi for three years with Aaron & Aileen as my teachers.
I feel that with Tai Chi I am slowly learning various new skills while exercising.
In three years I have achieved the yellow belt. I have almost learnt the fan dance, and I am learning the broad sword. You can’t imagine the satisfaction you get the first time you make the sword “sing” which I did for first time recently when thrusting it out – not bad for a woman of over 60! It is brilliant that there are several classes available to me locally at different times, and all at such a reasonable cost. I love exercising in the open air surrounded by trees and grass. Even in the midst of winter we exercise outdoors most of the time – you just need to wear lots of layers of clothes! I find exercising outdoors increases my sense of wellbeing.
Tai Chi works for me on lots of different levels. First of all I would say that it increases my energy levels – I have been known to come back from class & then hoover my house top to bottom, as I’m buzzing with energy!
Secondly it has made me more confident. In class, we are encouraged to show others what we have learnt, so you learn to forget about being shy. Then you learn a bit of humility, when corrected, because there seems to be always another level of learning involved with Tai-Chi, be it posture or breathing or understanding the reason behind a certain movement.
Thirdly I like learning some self-defence moves – I feel that this is important for a woman of any age.
Finally I enjoy Tai Chi because I have made some new good friends at Dao Lu.
I volunteered to help run Dao Lu as a Director because I am full of admiration of dedication of my teachers Aaron and Aileen, who both work full-time and have a family life yet still find time to teach us. I felt it was pay-back time.
May 2016