One of the things that seems to
confuse tai chi beginners is body awareness. They really don't know
what their body is doing in space. They try to move their arms and
hands in a certain way and the movement doesn't look at all like they tried to
do it. Even worse, they don't even know that they don't know what they
are doing. How can we teach body awareness to students?
I have four suggestions.
The first is the idea of “First Separate, Then Combine,” sometimes called “Directed Practice”.
There are so many things going in even a simple form that beginning
students can't keep track of it all. Separate and then combine means
to separate out a principle or a movement or form, practice it
separately until it becomes second nature. Then separate out a
different part of a form and practice it. Then combine those parts
and practice them together until they become second nature. Then
separate out another different part and practice it separately. Then
combine it with the others.
A second idea is to teach
awareness in layers. Watch and follow the instructor. Practice by
yourself. Watch the instructor again. Practice with a group and help
each other. Visualize the movements. Practice by yourself. Repeat as
needed.
A third idea is to teach awareness
through Body, Mind, and Breath. Move your body as best as you can.
Visualize the movement in your mind. Pause during the forms and check
that visualization against what your body is really doing. Breathe
slowly and use your breath to calm your mind and body.
A fourth idea is to teach
awareness by pausing. Wherever you are having difficult learning a
form, stop several times in the movement before the point where it's
not working right. Check to see if you are where you expected to be.
Breathe deeply. Don't rush. Correct any mistakes before moving on.
Try them and tell me how it works.
© 2014 by Eric Borreson
About the Author: Eric Borreson,
author and teacher, uses his writing to teach and his teaching to
write. Why not circle him on Google+?
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