Taiji’s GreatestLesson
You always hear instructors say to their beginner students “we need to teach you [insert technique here] correctly so you don’t develop bad habits. Bad habits are much harder to unlearn later.”
The problem is that everything you learn in Taijiquan creates bad habits. For example, in the beginning you learn the form in a large square style of movement. This introduces the bad habit of moving as if dancing and is empty with no intention or energy. Later this must be “unlearned” in order to instill the form with energy and martial intent.
Along the path of learning Taijiquan we are constantly unlearning bad habits in order to develop good ones. This is how we transcend to the next level in our art. The sign that someone is progressing is their ability to make these changes in their habits.
Consider also that in every step you take along the Taiji path you develop good habits alongside the bad ones the yin and yang of training. Developing good habits from the beginning is important, however, the ability to unlearn the bad habits is of greater importance than the initial learning of the good ones, because life never stands still and it is necessary for you to be adept at changing.
Inspiration for this lesson: A while back, I had prospective student who came to my class. Like all martial arts students, this student came to my class and asked my how I taught kung fu. That was in 2003. Many years later, with the help of Taijiquan, this student gained this insight which I continue to ponder to this day. Insights like this have caused me to think in new ways and in the process have made me a better teacher. As this student has generously given me the foundation that created this lesson, I will pass it on to you and hope that you will enjoy it as much as I have.
I will not elucidate on this lesson as I believe it best to leave it for you to digest and absorb. Simplicity at it’s finest.