Cancer begins when cells change and multiply without their usual control or order. These abnormally growing cells can then invade normal tissues or organs, or can travel through the blood or lymphatic system, forming new tumors. Continue reading
Multiple Sclerosis a Case of Bad Nerves
Have you ever spent too much time in an awkward sitting position until your hip fell numbingly asleep? Or maybe you’ve experienced the painful, tightening sensation a blood pressure cuff makes when an overzealous nurse pumps it up too tightly. Continue reading
Grief for the Holidays
It’s been almost six years since the death of my mother, and the holidays still haunt me. Of course, the first few years were the worst, but they continue to be difficult. From November to February I feel as though I am walking in a cloud of nostalgia, missing what used to be and criticizing what has changed now. I feel depressed, alone and anxious for the winter months to be over. Continue reading
Grief Don’t Suffer Alone
Have you recently lost a close friend or family member? If you have, then you know how hard it can be to pick yourself up and move on with life. There is no need to suffer alone in silence. Continue reading
Red Belt Syndrome Alert, Part 2
You start to walk a little taller. You volunteer your opinion more freely. When you see students practicing before or after class, you run to them to help them out — whether they want your help or not. Your knowledge deserves to be shared and spread. Continue reading
Red Belt Syndrome Alert, Part 1
We call it red belt syndrome, because that’s the rank at which it usually strikes. If you’re just climbing the ladder, it will infect you sooner or later. It most often strikes after three years of intense training, so if you’ve been in a martial art longer than that, you’ve gone through it. If you’re still practicing, it means…. Continue reading
The Teacher Student Relationship
Traditional Chinese society held a special place for the relationship between a teacher and student. The traditional teacher frequently developed a close bond between his or her student, not unlike that of a parent. As a matter of fact, the Tai Chi Chuan teacher is called ‘sifu’ (pronounce see-fu or sher-fu depending on dialect), which literally means ‘teacher-father.’ If you’re fortunate enough, you may be able to find a ‘sifu’ who teaches in the traditional way.
It isn’t easy to find the perfect teacher but there are some things you could think about when you do decide to chose one (sometimes a teacher will choose you). You might have questions such as these before you decide whom to learn from:
What kind of training did the teacher have?
Does the teacher claim titles without any true lineage?
Are there beginner classes and private lessons offered?
Is there a structured curriculum and does the teacher oversee all instruction?
Do the senior students seem skillful?
Does the teacher seem patient and open?
Is the teacher willing to demonstrate proper forms and correct his students?
Does the teacher require that you sign a contract?
What is the teacher’s reputation in the Tai Chi Chuan community? (Indicator)
Does the teacher “specialize” in health or meditation?
There are so many things to consider that it may be a good idea to “shop around” and observe several teachers before you decide on one. See if the teacher provides a real curriculum that progresses from beginning to advanced levels of skill.
You should feel comfortable with your instructor. After all, Tai Chi Chuan is a long-term commitment and you’ll want someone to guide you through the peaks and valleys. Too many students spend years with a certain teacher only to find that he or she had no concern for their progress. The only object for fraudulent teachers is money and self-promotion. It’s very disappointing to spend so much time and effort on something only to end to up with no results. If an instructor doesn’t meet your expectations, look elsewhere.
A good teacher-student relationship has an unspoken contract that goes something like this; the teacher will be committed to give the student all that he knows, the student will be committed to practice what he learns and respect the teacher’s judgment. The responsibilities to teach and to learn are mutual.
A good Tai Chi Chuan instructor is well versed in the art with the realization that its roots are martial. If the student chooses to practice exclusively for health or meditation that will become his or her choice, but a professional Tai Chi Chuan instructor should have a working knowledge of the total curriculum.
As with instruction in other activities, familiarity with the subject can be helpful in making decisions. Ask questions, read books, get on the Web to find the best teacher available to get the real benefit of Tai Chi Chuan. There are dedicated people out there, but you have to do a little research to find them.
The Lighter Side of Running So, March Is Here, Part 2
There are actually buds on many of the trees along my usual running paths now, and although it is somewhat early for anything substantive to come from those buds, it is nonetheless evidence that life is crawling back into the area again. Only yesterday, I heard several birds idly chirping outside my office window, which hasn’t happened since late October or so. Continue reading
The Lighter Side of Running So, March Is Here, Part 1
I woke up on Thursday morning with energy and a motivation that I had not found in months, and it had to do with a simple fact; Thursday morning, at least at the time of this writing, marked our passage into the month of March. Continue reading
Capitalizing on Public Relations, Part 2
Before generating publicity, you and your staff must become familiar with media outlets. These include newspapers, magazines (including trade, regional, general interest and special interest) and local radio and television stations. You should read, listen to and watch these media outlets regularly to understand what they consider newsworthy and how they present it. Continue reading