Tonight I was particulary impressed by the energy and enthusiasm in the beginners class. Four senior students came along to assist which was a luxury for me. The sticking and yielding exercises seemed really heartfelt. A few folks came up at the end and talked of their initial reservations about partnerwork, but that they were now finding it fascinating. There is this delight when working with others, if we only allow it to bubble up past our usual sense of self, or fears about how we are doing. Not only is it not about competition, but we are actively helping our partner in their learning when we lead in sticking, for instance. It is a thrill to actually connect with another being, and it is often a relief not to be stuck inside our selves, worrying or dwelling on our stuff.
Learning 121 with your teacher is always a wonderful opportunity, and a great way to learn. However a group class, with the benefit of our peers as well as a teacher, is also an excellent way to learn T'ai Chi. On the drive home Ev hit the nail on the head when she said that class is a place where you can join in with the spirit and the energy of all the others.
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