More Rivers, More Goals – The Chi Skill of Knowing Yourself
I wanted to thank everyone who sent me comments about our last post, on A “Chi River” or a “Chi Goal” Person – Which are YOU? (click here).
A number of you left public comments, but quite a few of you emailed me directly.
Many of the emails were quite emotional.
Quite a few echoed what Jackie, John, Mary, and other “River people” posted publicly in the blog. They talked about being made to feel by other teachers or other “gurus” like there was something wrong with being a River person … that they need to be more goal oriented in order to succeed.
Many said that this was the FIRST TIME EVER they were told it was OK to be a River person!
I also received email from Chi Goal people. They talked about having Chi River teachers who didn’t understand their need for structure. The impression Chi River teachers left them with is that being a River person was what being a Chi student was about. And if you aren’t a River person, you are just not “getting it”.
Let me first say, I truly do understand what both of these groups are talking about. I’m more of a River person myself, so I understand what it’s like when most of the messages and role models you are shown and told to emulate are goal people. And I have to admit with a cringe, that 20 years ago I was one of those asinine River teachers who though that that being a River person was actually part of Chi Development.
Today, that seems so obviously wrong, and I’m really embarrassed to admit that I ever taught that way. But I heard from student after student how their teacher is a Goal person who insists on everyone using Goal methods, or a River person who insists on everyone using River methods.
The longer I teach, the more I realize that each of us is unique. We have unique ways of learning, unique ways of perceiving the world, and unique strengths and weaknesses. And that a good teacher HONORS that uniqueness, and even CAPITALIZES on it in their instruction.
I believe the best way to do that is to teach students how to customize what they are learning. Whether it’s a physical movement, a concept, or a learning approach, you need to teach the student how to make it uniquely his or her own.
It’s obvious to see how important customization is to the physical movements. I was emailing about this with one of our new students who just joined us this week.
She was telling me, “I injured my knee and shoulder through bagua. I really hate it now, I was absolutely healthy, I guess it is my fault, bagua is not for middle aged women.” Well, of course it’s NOT her fault. I told her bagua wasn’t the problem. I told her the problem was she had an inept bagua teacher, who didn’t help her customize the movements to her situation.
She also said that her Tai Chi teacher told her that because of her injuries, she shouldn’t practice Yang style Tai Chi – that Sun style was much better for the knees. I told her that I’d stay away from a teacher who would make such a stupid statement. It’s her teacher that’s the problem here, not Yang style.
As I wrote her, “Forgive my bluntness, but I’ve been there. I had injuries as a student. It wasn’t intentional on the part of my teachers. But when a student complains of injury, it’s a sign that they need to re-examine their teaching skills (or lack of them) – and not shift the blame to a ‘style’ or anywhere else.”
Well, if that’s true of the physical movements, it’s also true of the learning process. Whether you are a Chi River or Chi Goal person, there is a place for you in Chi Development. Don’t ever let any teacher, or anyone else, tell you otherwise.
Though he’s not a Chi teacher, I think Harry Browne put this best:
“You are what you are. Your greatest pleasures will be those you experience when you can be yourself completely. Only then will you be free to enjoy every good thing the experience has to offer you …
“Being yourself is actually a skill. It takes time to become thoroughly acquainted with yourself, to throw off a lifetime of pressures, to relax and accept what you see in yourself (no matter how it may conflict with social standards), and to learn to act in ways consistent with your nature.”
- Harry Browne, How I Found Freedom in an Unfree World
And if you can’t be yourself in Tai Chi and Qigong, well then, where CAN you be yourself?
All my best for your continued Chi Development,
Hi Al,
Thank you so much for another meaningful blog post.
This is content I can sincerely pass on to my students.
Even though the purpose of my classes is to teach ChiFusion Level 1 (at this time) many topics around health, motivation, and other subjects come up during classes and I am always on the look out for new and helpful perspectives to offer.
Also, would you consider putting a FaceBook Share link on your blog posts. I would love the convenience of being able to share directly from your blog posts to my FaceBook page.
Jackie
Jackie
13 Jan 12 at 6:57 pm
Hi Jackie – Thanks for the heads-up about the share links. They were disabled, but I’ve got them back up there.
Thanks,
Al
Al Simon
13 Jan 12 at 9:15 pm
What a blessing and a gift these teachings have been. It is funny. We may go through life and hear something ninety nine times, and on that one hundredth time, it becomes clear. And the journey continues. I am grateful for the awareness, and for your teaching methods Al !
Brad Hurst
14 Jan 12 at 3:21 pm
I was told by a teacher not to wear my purple sash as “it was not the same as she would give”. So I didn’t. Then she said on the white that I was being held up because “I could not do taichi”. Well I reopened my own group having given it up to this lady who seems not to present sashes because she charges too much. People do the same thing each week and get bored.
I am glad I now run my own group. I am disabled with rheumatoid and osteoarthritis and no painkillers cos of allergies. I have 85% of my group are either over 60 or disabeld including one being treated for cancer. Treat each person as unique is correct. My sasshes are £5 and then a let out as if a person cannot afford it they can buy a certtificate for 50p or have their books signed free.
Thus anyone can join and subs are kept small. I am growing at the rate of 5 a week and soon will have to take two rooms and train others to teach.
Happy days. I am desperate to relearn the Sun style.
I am 70 in SApril by the way and guarantee tai chi keeps me better than I would do with pills.
Glennis
14 Jan 12 at 3:48 pm
Hi Al! Happy Birthday! Do you know any Tai Chi Moves that One can do to improve lower leg circulation (please keep in mind that I have a really bad lower back and right knee and a real stiff right shoulder) Thanks!
Kim
14 Jan 12 at 5:22 pm
Hi AL and everyone !!! I believe in what you are
trying to share with us… We are what we are ! We
are individually unique now, whoever and wherever
we may be…Although, originally we are all created
in the same original mould – “in the image and
likeness of our Creator !” But original sin and/or individual experiences that we encounter
and our own reactions make us different and unique
individually…That even twins at birth becomes
different as they react to circumstances individually… But, I believe that ultimately
through love, understanding and compassion and
caring for one another as you AL has been
showing and teaching us through Tai Chi and QiGong will bring us, everyone, closer to each
other in our quest for better holistic health
and happiness, peace and joy !!!
A more blessed and more prosperous New Year to one and all !!!
Tem Inco
Artemio Inco
14 Jan 12 at 5:57 pm
My first teacher was a goal oriented person. Managed to learn basic moves from him but he certainly took the joy out of tai chi. Thank you for letting us know its ok to go with the flow.
Susan Mayberry
14 Jan 12 at 7:50 pm
Bruce Lee in one of his latest interviews said, “Be water, my friend”. I think that single statement sums up the essense of Tai Chi. Difficult to find something as malleable, strong, smooth,and that may fuse as water.
Jorge Rivera
15 Jan 12 at 7:37 pm
What you write always comes at just the right time to pep me up and reminde me how great it is to practice and treasure qigong and just being alive.
I am so gratefull, Marianne
Marianne
16 Jan 12 at 8:00 am
What great and varied comments! Surely just what Tai Chi embodies…..
Mark Osland
16 Jan 12 at 8:49 am
Wow! Today I have read 2 great posts here!!
What a great insight Al and thank you for bringing that to my attention.
I am a “River person” and obviously this is how I teach. Perhaps this is a good reminder to cater to the “Goals person”.
Thanks Al
Stuart Shaw
27 Jan 12 at 2:42 am