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Slide Notes

B and I are in the tai chi instructor training program at MLHC. Back row and tag teaching. Video of class and pre- and post class discussion with Master Tye.
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Tai Chi Reflective/Dialogic Study

Published on Dec 08, 2022

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PRESENTATION OUTLINE

Tai Chi Chuan
Reflective/Dialogic Inquiry

B and I are in the tai chi instructor training program at MLHC. Back row and tag teaching. Video of class and pre- and post class discussion with Master Tye.
Photo by Thao LEE

student diversity

  • how long
  • how often
  • age
  • activity level
  • flexibility/balance
  • health
  • language
  • class size
All classes are pop-in and have crazy diversity:
* We can have a first-time in a class with someone who has been practicing for 30 years.
* Some students come a few times a month; others come five times a week.
* I've had a 9 year old in a class with an 87 year old.
* For some students, this is their only physical activity. Other students are professional climbers, dancers, skiers, etc. Some are high impact and some are no impact.
* Some students can barely bend their backs, while others can set their hands flat on the floor with their legs straight. Some have to hold onto the bars at the mirror whenever they lift a leg; others can balance on one leg for five minutes or more.
* Some students are in pristine health. Others are in the midst of or recovering from various forms of cancer, long covid, a car accident, etc. Mental health also an issue: recovering addict, fireman with PTSD, etc.
* Spoken language not much of an issue because there's very little talking, but we have English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, German, etc. native speakers
* Classes can be as small as 3 and as large as 20+.
Photo by DonkeyHotey

Glen: Caucasian father of mixed-race teenage daughter

Glen: Seems like he's coming to try to connect with his daughter. Not really interested but wants to support her. He's highly active but not flexible and comes only on Saturday mornings. His daughter is a dancer, has great balance and flexibility, and comes 3-4 times a week.
Photo by Julie Koso

Untitled Slide

Steve: fire fighter on leave

Steve has PTSD from over 20 years on the job, but most recently has been placed on mental health leave after responding to an accident in which a number of children were killed. Panic attacks, trouble steadying his breathing. Low flexibility.
Photo by lasard

Untitled Slide

  • focus on arms and breathing
  • front of class, near instructor
  • qi-gong

Untitled Slide