Tai Chi Masters Chee Soo - Howard Gibbon

 
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Don't Forget To Enjoy The View
 Its a beautiful world we live in.

There I was at the crack of dawn (9.30am actually) too dark at 6.30am, at least that was my reasoning for doing my T'ai Chi practise mid morning. As is often the case I decided to do a Dao Yin exercise first, today I choose 'Wave the Hands' a personal favourite of mine.

The day was extremely windy but in the confines of my garden not so bad as to disrupt my T'ai Chi practise. As I raised my hands over my head and looked skyward I couldn't help noticing how some small clouds were flying along on the wind. Quite low and pushed along at great speed by the rushing air current. Then I noticed how the bigger yet more spread out clouds which were much higher appeared motionless. And of course I then just had to go inside for pen and notebook to record the thought.

The resemblance of all in nature to our development in our unique arts, and how very, very fortunate I was to have been able to train under Chee Soo's supervision and learn so many fascinating things about myself and the world around me that were hitherto beyond my comprehension.

I told Gisela of my thoughts later that day after my T'ai Chi practise, and we had an interesting conversation about the similarities between the clouds behaviour and learning sticky hands (I fu shou).

How when we are new to the art we dart about physically and mentally just like the young clouds being rushed around by the air currents and as we learn, how much more like the older clouds higher we become. Observing the events below and around us, we move less but achieve more, less investment in energy expenditure and less disruption to our immediate surroundings. Learning to move with the flow rather than trying to move forward too forcefully. Enjoying and interacting with the experience, for after all this is life, is it not, moment to moment in the present.

I am reminded by this beautiful saying by an unknown author I have framed and hung above my desk:

Take Time To See

It seems so hard to understand, as I look across the land,
that all I view belongs to me, I ought to take more time to see.

The distant hills and mountains high, the rolling clouds and bright blue sky,
no one can take these views from me, as long as I have eyes to see.

A timid deer with a haunting look, who stands refreshed by yonder brook,
knows not that he belongs to me, oh, what a thrilling sight to see!

The song of birds so gay and clear, that fill the morning air with cheer,

and fragrant flowers of every hue, That stand erect bedecked with dew;

all these and more belong to me, If I but use my eyes to see.

When evening shadows gather night, and twinkling stars light up the sky,
I hear my Master say to me, "I made it all for you to see!"
My heart grows warm with faith and pride, To know that He is by my side.

Set yourself free with your practise of T'ai Chi - The Supreme Ultimate.

The best exercise for the whole person there is - bar none.

by Howard Gibbon

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© Copyright 2008 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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