Tai Chi Masters Chee Soo - Howard Gibbon

 
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A Thousand Mile Journey Starts With The First Step

Progress in our arts can at first be made using reason to make a structure the mind can fathom with ease. Then as more progress is made, new information and experiences appear which this structure does not explain. Of course this is a stepping off point for many students who have gained physical benefit from their practise but can not cope with the paradox presented before them.  
Some, those that are ready and willing to, broach this paradox with an open child like mind and keep to the path. These students move into unknown territory i.e. no past experience to link this new but undeniable experience to.

And here the teacher, the passer on of the depth that he must confer to future generations, has a problem. How to allow the majority of students to enjoy the physical benefits of the arts whilst seeking out those with the dedication to take on the greater task of learning the deeper aspects to take forward, so they do not die within this generation he lives in.

He has a burden he bears sometimes with a heavy heart but for the most part he experiences a joy unknown to most others. To have such work is a privilege, an honour, and one that requires a commitment to the path, that path often travelling against the crowd. In the process he sometimes gets buffeted and bruised as he drives forward, persistent in his knowledge of the importance of his task. He has a target to hit, not with each shot taken, but by committing himself to keep practising his art like the master archer until hitting the target get easier as his skill increases. An archer learns by doing, picking up the bow and slotting the arrow in place then drawing the bow and with a focused aim sends the arrow on its path.

'A thousand mile journey starts with the first step'

And as he himself continues to learn, he learns that relaxation is the key to his success. No need to run around expounding his abilities to all and sundry. Best leave that to others. Like his practise in meditation has taught him to quiet the mind, empty the glass. For a mind that is full can receive no more learning and nothing can be put in a full glass. We must all empty our lungs to make room for more life giving breath. As soon as this realization was born in his mind, he remembers one of the last statements his own teacher spoke to him.

'Let people come to you'.

Oh! So long to understand such a simple sentence, I am humbled yet again. So ill prepared for my task yet, I believe I have the courage and determination, and should I fail it will not be for want of trying. Like the man in charge in the control room (whose name no one remembers) when Apollo 13 developed a potentially fatal fault stated on that fateful but triumphant day.

'Failure is not an option'

His name: Gene Kranz The Director of the successful Mission Control team whose efforts to save the crew of Apollo 13 were successful and later became the subject story of a major motion picture.

If you as I do you love these amazing arts then attend one of my day courses and show me you have the dedication to learn, if you do, I will teach you what I have learnt from my Master Chee Soo over 21 years. There will be nothing added from elsewhere and there will be nothing left out.

If you as I do you love these amazing arts then attend one of my day courses and show me you have the dedication to learn, if you do, I will teach you what I have learnt from my Master Chee Soo over 21 years.

There will be nothing added from elsewhere and there will be nothing left out.

by Howard Gibbon

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© Copyright 2007 Howard Gibbon - all rights reserved 

Howard F Gibbon, EzineArticles Basic PLUS Author

Testimonials

 

Just a note to say hi,

I have been taking my time with each move.  I'm up to move 21, yeah!!!!!  Your instructions are excellent.

First I watch you do the move.  Then, I try the move, while watching you. Then, practice until it feels right.  Then add it to the moves learned so far...practice and practice some more.

Truly enjoy watching you and Gisela; and your UTUBE video (with the group). Watching you doing the first 50 moves, on the DVD, helps to get the timing down for individual moves, flow from move to move, timing between the upper and lower body movements, when to shift your weight, etc.

Taking it slow gives me time to see/study the subtle moves, such as the feet.  The hand movements are easier to see, but the slight foot movements, take a little longer to get right.

Would love to travel to Scarborough, to take part in your classes. Maybe once I have the first 50 moves down. Hopefully, I will be retired in a year or two... Then, my husband and I hope to travel a bit. All the best to you and yours.

Regards, Irene Jones - Canada

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Howard is a superb teacher. I have learnt the short form from his excellent and painstakingly produced DVD. Being unable to find a style I enjoyed which was taught at a reasonable hour for me his DVD has been a godsend. I am only sorry that I cannot attend his classes in person. I thank him sincerely for his thoughtful and precise work.  

Paul Hillman 

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Hi Howard,

Can I say that it was nice to meet you in person for the first time when you came up to Edinburgh in November this year, and as Denise (my own instructor) said I would, I certainly enjoyed all of your classes that I attended. I met some really nice people and I went away from each one having a had a great time, but also realizing that I have a lot to learn; a challenge which I will (hopefully) over the future years meets. I look forward to seeing you again when you are next back in Scotland.

Best Regards,

Jim. Anderson - Edinburgh

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Dear Howard,

At the age of 21 I was diagnosed with high blood pressure and have taken medication ever since (I am much older now!). A friend of mine, introduced me to Tai Chi and like so many people, I struggled at the beginning because there seemed to be so much to learn! However, I was confident enough to attend a day course. I was both excited and nervous - after all I was going to meet 'The Master'! You were not only helpful and encouraging but inspirational - I was hooked and began to take Tai Chi far more seriously. The results of my revised approach was that later in the year my blood pressure had reduced so much that I was taken off one tablet. My blood pressure has continued to reduce, in fact last Monday, I was taken off yet another tablet.

I appreciate that many factors may influence blood pressure however, I am convinced that the improvement in my blood pressure correlated directly with my involvement in T'ai Chi.

Thank you for being you and helping me and others like me to raise our horizons for personal achievement and enjoyment.

Kindest regards.

Barbara Lawes

 

 

 

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Testimonials

Howard,

Many thanks for your prompt response - I received the new DVD yesterday. As I have been struggling with "The Stork is Aroused" and "The Double Whip" sequences at my local Tai Chi classes for the last three weeks, I am pleased to say that I have now cracked it by following your crystal clear instructions on the DVD.

Thanks again,

Mr. Joseph William Taylor

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Subject: 

Just to say thank you for your very prompt response to my order for the DVD.  It arrived within 48hrs. It's a gift for my sister in law who has recently joined a Tai Chi class and is enjoying it as relief from a stressful job. I can't wait to see the results of using the DVD!!

Wishing you all the best for a peaceful Christmas and new year.

Julia Lee

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Many thanks Howard,  

The Silk DVD is wonderful and I have already printed out the manual. Hope it isn't as cold with you as it is here. 

Regards from Helen

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Thank you, Howard, for speedy delivery of DVD, which arrived yesterday and have also printed your eBook. 

I have practiced with your DVD and find it easy to understand and great for learning.

It is daunting when you first start to learn Tai Chi when you see all the moves you have to remember for feet, hands, arms & legs all at once, but you have broken it down into 'bite size' chunks which makes it much more managable. 

The eBook is very helpful & informative. 

Many thanks. 

Caroline Boom 

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I would also like to say that I recently received one of your DVDs - T'ai Chi Dance Vol 1 - as a gift (my partner bought it for my birthday, at my suggestion) anyway, what I wanted to say was how delighted I am with it, and how I am struck, pretty much every time I use it, by the thought that the people who made this DVD clearly cared about the quality of the experience that would be had by those using the DVD as an aid to learning. So, thanks for that; I'm sure I am very far from alone in appreciating it.
Best wishes.

David Littlewood

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