Video and Other Media

[noblenicky]

Last night I bumped across one of my first taiji videos. I looked at it, and thought, "Well, what the heck, why dont we look at this one more time"

It proved to be a breath of fresh air. I immediately noticed several possible improvements to my forms, and do feel the difference in doing them correctly.

I feel these supplementary study materials (video, books, internet) can be taken too lightly. Although it does not replace a good teacher, but I think it does provide its merits as a supplementary material.

[Shadowdh]

Well youll get no argument from me Nick... I fully believe that they have a valuable role to play in learning and practicing taiji... I started learning with a book and now go to two classes and have had to have little correction in my form... (mainly posture and stance)... I also think it depends on how dedicated you are and how much time and effort you are willing to give to taiji... but I totally agree that a good teacher is very important and cannot be replaced...!!! (I am lucky enough to have found two...)

[daftyman]

Its can all be good stuff, definitely.

There are some naff bits out there as well. But that's where a good teacher comes in.

I have lost count the number of times I have read a passage in one of my numerous books that has made me realise something beneficial to my practice.

One of the lines I quite liked was in TT Liangs book:
T'Ai Chi Ch'Uan for Health and Self-defense : Philosophy and Practice

"If all you rely on is teachers then better not to have teachers, if all you rely on is books then better not to have books."

Its my sig.

Basically there comes a point where you cannot be told it, you must feel it for yourself.

If I hold a cup of water, I can tell you that its cold and tasty. The only way for you to really know is to try that water for yourself.

[Shadowdh]

If I hold a cup of water, I can tell you that its cold and tasty. The only way for you to really know is to try that water for yourself.

Wise words honourable VR... :)