Cameron Verrills
*Sent*: Wednesday, June 21, 2006 12:31 PM
Subject: *Repulse Monkey Feelings
*As I get closer to performing the ?Repulse Monkey? sequence a little
more correctly (little while to go yet); it is really reinforcing the
correct alignment of my waist and entire spinal column, especially up to
‘holding the cross’ and through to the end. If I am not straight my
lower back feels overextended. As well, I feel a constriction through my
neck & shoulder.
Also when Ric talks of….”neither assist, nor resist, but
persist?…..the straightness seems to allow some reflection (complete
calmness in me) and has started to give me a lot more sleep. Further,
the ?turn-in? allows me to sink into the weighted leg. A by-product has
been increased suppleness in my shoulders thus making the posture more
enjoyable & insightful. [I have had injuries in that region before.]
Also the upper neck and sacral areas seem to be connected to one another.
* Update on Push Hands /two person training
*As my feeling of the qi has become a little more layered [with small
amounts of depth], I have come to the realization that two person
training for most individuals is a waste of time, as it is generally
merely application of brute force (?I push-you push?).
Physical force is just too shallow, too stop/start, and too easy to read.
To truly be movement of a subtle texture our internal calmness must
overcome or control the pervasive influence of the external surroundings.
*Sent:* Wednesday, January 25, 2006 5:18 PM
Subject: *A brief memoir
*I began Tai Chi Chuan because I had a spinal problem and needed
something to help me in a holistic way. I started in 1998. The classes
were at Narrabeen, Dee Why and Glebe. I studied up until June 2005 in
the same class.
The experiences were most enjoyable especially when the energy of my
classmates and instructor where positive and we were all keen to work
together to grow with our Tai Chi Chuan.
Some of the results from the previous training included increased
physical & mental stamina, stronger will, ability to know others and
hopefully for others to know me, internal stillness (sung), invest in
loss, two person training was excellent
I also found out about how hard it is to become an instructor (patience
with a student?s learning ability , poor instruction methods , ego,
timing , respect for student?s ability , humbleness , creativity ,
direction , good energy.) These are some words that did not always seem
to be thought about in the last class I attended.
I pondered because my instructor was changing things that he thought
worked better; he is not a master. It seemed to stop/start and had way
too much Qigong; we didn’t flow like other students in the same school
but trained under different instructors. No instruction in the Thirteen
Postures or their meanings, no ‘strategy discussions’ from the Thirteen
Postures. Also the instructor spoke of Tai Chi Chuan as a great way of
looking after oneself, unfortunately he could not disseminate his
technique to the class, which caused great angst to the students on
occasions. Which caused the instructor to question what is wrong with
his students (personally I felt you would look at your instruction
method maybe a little????)
With Ric
I’ve trained with Ric since June 2005
The benefits that I?ve gained so far are that I am starting to practise
Tai Chi Chuan form, I feel as though open/close are within my grasp ,
don’t overextend , laughter helps and have mind like a child?s. The only
drawback for me (my uncouth side ) is that we haven’t commenced two
person training as I guess those forms allow me not to have to go to a
Gym and when done properly the internal feeling is very humbling, but
Patience is a virtue they say.
Comparison of Old to Ric;
With Ric I have a much better Flow and feel of my energy, internally my
organs feel softer and I feel as though I am moving forward. No stop /
start. Leave your ego at the door when training with Ric. Ric is able to
simplify or I find Ric is able to intricate. That is very helpful as you
move along the winding river.
Before I was with Ric you could feel the egos in the room, not letting
go. Getting too far ahead of themselves until the students had an
understanding of a pattern or technique that they were learning caused
consternation among most students and instructor. Any discussion of Qi
or energy was frowned upon, Too much qigong caused everyone to have a
lot of hollow points throughout their form, no continuation of Flow. Too
much talk not enough action.
What is Tai Chi Chuan????
Tai Chi Chuan is like a sassy woman. Once you have discovered her and
she has touched you with her spirit, you have a lot of trouble breaking
it off.
Advice for Newcomers
Turn up for class, respect your instructor and fellow students, listen
and look, expect nothing and you won’t be disappointed. The key is to
‘laugh at oneself’: it’s not that important!
Cheers!