This image I found at: http://gettingsmart.com/2012/09/3-new-teaching-methods-improve-educational-process/
This is a reply I posted up to a discussion I was participating in a Taiji discussion group concerning another excellent Tai Chi practitioner/teacher and comparing his teaching style to the teaching style I am accustomed to from my teacher:
"Thanks all, this is a very enlightening sharing of info, and I'm appreciative of the contributions from you guys. I agree in the deepening of our taiji understanding from a I-Chuan perspective & I've found myself gravitating to that in my own practice of the form. Yes Thomas, I've heard the same about ST's teaching approach from others & that might be appropriate for a more traditional relationship where the student can regularly see the teacher or even be an indoor student & spend lots of time with them, enough time to "steal their art". However, it doesn't benefit someone like me who lives half-way across the world, who would have to spend lots of money, and would only see them at a workshop for a few days where the teaching is not aimed at anyone special. Yes, I dislike teachers who just like to talk & talk but I find the detailed, systematic & demonstrative way from Kee Jin (along with direct personal feedback that tries to answer my sometimes stupid questions) much more productive. Even if I don't understand what he really means its up to me to follow the process & practice it. In pair work Kee Jin might also say "yield, etc" but the morning has been spent explaining what is important, why and how to do it (including your attitude) and practicing it solo before applying it in pairwork. And his system is very consistent throughout. I think if a teacher is going to accept money from students they should teach what is needed from and meet the student from where the student is at that moment. Or just only accept screened advanced students. This is not a criticism of ST I'm just saying what I prefer in a teacher. I don't think I am ready to reach taiji enlightenment with just a word - not just yet! Also I think the links between what ST teaches and KJ teaches are there but you just have to pick up on it, e.g. - process of relaxation & sinking is what initiates the movement. My approach to learning is not to jump around different systems or teachers but to stay & practice with a good one for more than ten years then I can perhaps really understand their system, once I understand and can do it (or at least the basis) then I learn from other teachers. I've seen so many students get waylaid by other styles & teachers, or form their own mish-mash in the pursuit of chasing "it" that they only end up confused. Sometimes learning is just tedious and boring before you get an insight.
Authour - Lee Chang Tye
https://www.relaxedmindtaichi.com
"Thanks all, this is a very enlightening sharing of info, and I'm appreciative of the contributions from you guys. I agree in the deepening of our taiji understanding from a I-Chuan perspective & I've found myself gravitating to that in my own practice of the form. Yes Thomas, I've heard the same about ST's teaching approach from others & that might be appropriate for a more traditional relationship where the student can regularly see the teacher or even be an indoor student & spend lots of time with them, enough time to "steal their art". However, it doesn't benefit someone like me who lives half-way across the world, who would have to spend lots of money, and would only see them at a workshop for a few days where the teaching is not aimed at anyone special. Yes, I dislike teachers who just like to talk & talk but I find the detailed, systematic & demonstrative way from Kee Jin (along with direct personal feedback that tries to answer my sometimes stupid questions) much more productive. Even if I don't understand what he really means its up to me to follow the process & practice it. In pair work Kee Jin might also say "yield, etc" but the morning has been spent explaining what is important, why and how to do it (including your attitude) and practicing it solo before applying it in pairwork. And his system is very consistent throughout. I think if a teacher is going to accept money from students they should teach what is needed from and meet the student from where the student is at that moment. Or just only accept screened advanced students. This is not a criticism of ST I'm just saying what I prefer in a teacher. I don't think I am ready to reach taiji enlightenment with just a word - not just yet! Also I think the links between what ST teaches and KJ teaches are there but you just have to pick up on it, e.g. - process of relaxation & sinking is what initiates the movement. My approach to learning is not to jump around different systems or teachers but to stay & practice with a good one for more than ten years then I can perhaps really understand their system, once I understand and can do it (or at least the basis) then I learn from other teachers. I've seen so many students get waylaid by other styles & teachers, or form their own mish-mash in the pursuit of chasing "it" that they only end up confused. Sometimes learning is just tedious and boring before you get an insight.
Authour - Lee Chang Tye
https://www.relaxedmindtaichi.com
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