I was looking for a good Tai Chi teacher back in 2009. All I could find was those “follow-my-movement” type of Tai Chi class in the park. The definition of a good Tai Chi teacher to me was one who would share all the secrets behind each movement with the students and not just “follow” his movements. He would also combine the Tai Chi movement with breathing so I can build up the “Chi” in me.
In 2012, I moved to Taman Tun Dr Ismail in Kuala Lumpur. A friend staying in the same neighbourhood told me that there was a Tai Chi class at the Library. I was so excited and immediately registered for the beginner class. That’s how I started learning proper Tai Chi from Teacher David.
In the past 4 years, I not only learnt the proper movement and breathing method of Tai Chi but also the philosophy and the spirit of Tai Chi. Teacher David would always share with his students about the essence of Tai Chi. I remember him saying “We don’t ‘catch’ the enemy in Tai Chi. If we do so, we lock the enemy up and also limit our movement”. It was a wake-up call for me. I realised that this philosophy can be applied to my work and daily life. We shouldn’t collide head-on with others. Instead, we should learn to retreat in order to advance.
Teacher David teaches in a way that I could remember the steps easily. I have learnt the Yang-style Tai Chi 38 forms and 85 forms, Yang-style Tai Chi Sword 51 forms, Yang-style Tai Chi Sabre 13 forms, Chen-style Tai Chi 56 forms and Chen-style tai Chi sabre 22 forms. I am now learning Chen-style Old Frame First Routine 74 Forms. It may sound like I am learning a lot but I manage to pick it all up with Teacher David’s guidance. I am now practising everything I have learnt daily.
Tai Chi is a form of relaxation for me especially when I’m stressed from work. It calms my mind and helps me to see things more clearly. As what Teacher David said “Tai Chi helps to draw our mind inward and align it with our body, bringing us into a meditative state”. I really appreciate what Teacher David has shared with me and I hope to learn more about the philosophy of Tai Chi from him.
我开始学太极是2009年的事，那时只是跟着公园里的人模仿所谓的“老师傅”摆动作，心里却苦着找不到好老师。当时我对“好老师”的定义是，这位老师会跟学生分享动作的精髓，还会教导学生如何运气。直到2012年我搬来这个花园时，住在附近的一位朋友知道我热衷太极，就建议我去住宅区里的公共图书馆跟一位老师学太极。
就这样，我跟暴老师学了4年的太极，目前仍在学习中。暴老师的教学法很不同，讲解不仅仔细，还让人印象深刻，所以即使是招数多如杨氏太极拳85式，也能倒背如流。短短的4年，我已经学了杨氏太极拳38式、杨氏太极拳85式、杨氏太极刀13式、杨氏太极剑51式、陈氏太极拳56式、陈氏太极单刀22式，目前在学这陈氏太极拳老家一路74式。
我不仅学到正统的太极招式，还从暴老师身上学了不少太极的哲理。还记得暴老师说，在太极我们不会抓别人的手，因为这样的话，虽然我们是抓到了别人，但也锁死了自己。此外，太极的以柔克刚、以退为进，以及太极基本的圆，都让我大大领悟做人的道理，将之融入生活及工作中。
每当我工作压力太大时，就会练习太极。它让我放松身心，把思维拉回来变成内观。正如暴老师说，把焦点放在动作上，不仅能把注意力放回内在，把能量收回来，更能让身心合一，达到禅定的境界。学了太极后，我的心境平复了许多。不仅如此，我还能时时观照自己的思维和情绪的起伏。感谢暴老师的教导，希望能够继续从他身上学习太极的哲理。
Eleanor Cheah
July 2016
We offer Tai Chi and Wushu classes in Petaling Jaya and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Contact us at 012-2211430 or email us at huayingwushu@gmail.com for more details.
