I started taichi under Master Chow (Sifu) in Jan 2020.
Previous to that, I studied taichi on and off, under
different teachers/masters, including Yeung-style and
Chen-style. I am a senior, and my purpose in studying
taichi is for health reasons. Some of my friends asked
why I chose Chen-style, as the strokes are designed for
combat...
I started taichi under Master Chow (Sifu) in Jan 2020.
Previous to that, I studied taichi on and off, under
different teachers/masters, including Yeung-style and
Chen-style. I am a senior, and my purpose in studying
taichi is for health reasons. Some of my friends asked
why I chose Chen-style, as the strokes are designed for
combat. I don't know the answer.
In 2020, my progress was slow, as we had many cancelled
classes due to the outbreak of Covid-19. Sifu was very
patient with all his students and kept reminding us of
the strokes in detail. The classes are small, usually 4
persons, the classroom is roomy & well ventilated, and
we receive a lot of attention from Sifu.
In the past few months (Sept/Oct 2021), I started to
"get the hang" of it. So far, the benefits I have felt
are:
1) My legs/knees/feet are stronger, and balance is
better as some movements require standing (balancing) on
one leg.
2) My shoulder/neck pain is gone. Sifu emphasized hand
movements must include all the joints; shoulder, elbows,
wrists, fingers, for improved blood circulation. The
movements including hip movements help to trigger the
"dan tian” to move the "chi". Posture is also better, as
head faces forward and body is straight at all times.
3) My chi is starting to move, blood circulation is
better, as I feel hot and sweaty during class, in spite
of the air con.
4) After each class, I feel very tired, esp my legs; but
it is a happy feeling of having worked-out the body.
I didn't realise I would really enjoy going to class,
it's like an addiction that one feels when one has found
something good.
