Another Year Over
Post date: 17-Dec-2017
As the classes come to an end for the Christmas and New Year break it is an opportunity for me to reflect on how West Devon Tai Chi has evolved over the last year. I take each class as it comes and my way of teaching/sharing Taiji with others has become quite organic in its own way. The basics and principles are covered regularly as we work through learning the form but I do emphasise it is also a journey of self-discovery, encouraging everyone to become their own teacher and being open to change as their learning progresses. One of lifes' most important lessons!
Throughout the year, there have been many new people start but also a few regulars of the Bratton group have stopped coming. They have explained to me that they only enjoy doing the warm up/loosening exercises and basics, and have no desire to go beyond learning the first 15 moves. My style of teaching is not a rigid fomat and I do my best to accommodate everyone and am always happy to adapt the classes to suit everyone's level of progression. Having shared those words out, maybe the New Year will see some return and give it another try!
I would like to thank all at Bratton Clovelly and Lydford for sharing the Taiji journey with me, and for their continual support and tremendous enthusiasm. Learning Taiji is challenging for the mind and body and it is wonderful to see the encouragement and help everyone gives to each other. Also, grateful thanks to Kerry for keeping the website up and running and doing such a great job of breaking down the moves of the form.
We resume the week beginning 8th January-dates are on the website and we have two workshops with Ben Milton to look forward to later in the year, 16th June and 3rd November. We are still awaiting the opening of the new Lifton Community Centre; maybe 2018 will bring forth a new class. We will keep you posted!
Winter Solstice blessings and a peaceful New Year to you all
Mandy