| This article is the third and final article in a series | | | | the large amount of space that is usually used by |
| of articles about how to find a Tai Chi instructor. I | | | | Tai Chi practitioners. They can be done using small |
| recommend that you read the other two articles | | | | movements and steps as well as large |
| in addition to this one in order to get a thorough | | | | movements and steps as well. |
| idea of what to look for in an instructor. We've | | | | 8. An instructor should know the principles and |
| been discussing the knowledge that an instructor | | | | concepts of 4 ounces moves 1,000 pounds and |
| should have. Here are some more things you | | | | be able to apply them. |
| might want to discuss with a potential teacher to | | | | 9. The 3 Treasures of Yi, Chi and Jing |
| get a feel for their knowledge. | | | | 10. 10. A teacher should know about many |
| | | | different kinds of Jing, energetic expressions for |
| 1. Sung - A Chinese term that refers to | | | | health and self defense. Here are a number of |
| Relaxation Techniques and Methods. | | | | different Jing: rooting, Fa Jing, Coiling Silk, |
| 2. Breathing methods including how to breathe to | | | | Expanding and Contracting, Condensing and |
| beneficially lower the heart rate and blood | | | | Releasing, Listening (Ting Jing), Central Equilibrium |
| pressure in order to get the stress reduction and | | | | (Dong Jing), and many others. A good instructor |
| circulatory benefits that Tai Chi is famous for. | | | | should also know about Yi and Shen and have a |
| 3. How to perform the Tai Chi moves in a weight | | | | real sense of the difference between the two. |
| bearing manner in order to get the bone density | | | | There are many other kinds of Jing besides the |
| results as seen in studies performed at Emory | | | | ones listed here, but the instructor should at least |
| University. | | | | know about these. |
| 4. The 3 Powers Heaven, Earth and Man and how | | | | There is a lot more to the art of Tai Chi than |
| they are used to make Chi. | | | | what has been described in the three articles so |
| 5. Natural body responses, actions and movement. | | | | far. However, you don't have to find a Tai Chi |
| 6. Push Hands - A good instructor should be | | | | master in order to study the art. You only need |
| aware of these games that can be used to | | | | to find someone who has the basic knowledge |
| develop internal sensitivity. Push hands can help | | | | discussed here. You do need to take the time to |
| students to learn to sense what is going on with | | | | find a teacher with this basic expertise. If you |
| their own body and body structure as well as | | | | study under a teacher who doesn't know what |
| what is happening in the body of a potential | | | | they are talking about, you may only be learning |
| opponent. Push hands also develops the student's | | | | fancy choreography and you could end up doing |
| ability to root and their Sung relaxation. | | | | more harm than good. |
| 7. Good teachers should be able to use body | | | | A knowledgeable Tai Chi instructor is well worth |
| frame training. They should be able to train | | | | the search. Good luck to you! If you have any |
| students using small, medium, and large frames. | | | | questions you are welcome to get in touch with |
| The forms do not need to always be done using | | | | us. |