Taking private lessons
Chessman wrote a very interesting article on personal transmission in Tai Ji. I’ve always suspected that some things are better, or sometimes only, taught personally rather than in a group setting. I’ve heard stories of how other teachers learn and the better ones are those who just practise with their teachers on a daily basis. However, there’s a constant internal struggle on whether I should go down this route. The hotly debated points boil down to the following:
1. Am I the worthy student?
I guess this is on top of the list – always doubting myself whether I can actually go to a higher level. I enjoy learning all aspects of Tai Ji. But could I actually be that worthy student? Am I talented enough to go to the higher level? I can’t kid myself on this as some talent is required. Could I actually be that person?
2. Is he/she a worthy teacher?
A more difficult question to answer, as you’ll never find out until some time down the line when you begin find more questions than can be answered by the teacher.
3. Can I afford the fees?
This could be at the top as well because, if it’s free, I would have tried it out for a few sessions to see if I’m getting the real deal! Never mind if I’m the worthy student or if the teacher is good. Plus, like wujimon, I’ve got a soft spot for martial arts. If it’s quality training, I am quite willing to pay. However, I am accountable to more than myself now.
4. Can I afford the time?
I have all the time in the world now and yet I can’t justify to myself to spend on a private tutor. When I rejoin the rat race, I have a feeling that time will be a luxury. However, I can afford it then though. 
So….
It’s difficult to find a balance between these factors. Or maybe I’m just missing something really obvious here, like what do I really want… or how badly do I want it?
Have you debated these in your head before? I think these criteria equally applies to anything that you have thought of learning, be it yoga, salsa, a new language, piano, how to draw, how to write etc. What thought process did you go through? Did it boil down to these 2 questions – what do you really really want & how badly do you want it?
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Category: Guides to life | Tags: diary, lessons, money, Tai Chi, thoughts 7 comments »
June 13th, 2006 at 12:10 am
I have often debated this same exact subject matter and for a while, I did private lessons every other week. In money, it costs me $50/hr but usually ran over an extra half an hr without charge. However, in time, it costs me 3-4 hrs round trip! This was really the kicker but now, like yourself, I am accountable for more than just myself. For me, just a matter or priorities and I have other things I’d rather spend the time and money on at this point in my life. Nothing like seeing my 19 month old son try to mimic my single whip to bring a smile to my face
June 13th, 2006 at 8:22 am
First, you get better by two things: practice and correction. That’s it. With those two things, you will improve. So, yes, higher levels are attainable.
Second, you must know the teacher well in order to get privates I think. Don’t ask too soon or before your and the teacher know and trust one another. Also don’t ask before you know the quality of his material.
Third, the fees can be high but you must look at your goals. This is my future career. I know that now so I’m willing to pay what it takes to get the best.
Fourth, I do this BECAUSE I’m accountable to others. I don’t really have 10 tens to try to pick this up in group class, knowing that that won’t happen anyway. Privates get me quality teaching that will improve me so that I can open my own school sooner. From that perspective, it’s worth it. Maybe it will be for you, too. Take care.
June 13th, 2006 at 8:52 am
wujimon – u definitely should post that photo of your son doing single whip
Dave – thanks for your comments. I now understand, from both wujimon and yourself, that it does ultimately boil down to what you think is important to you. I’m not sure if i’m going to open a school, but I know tai ji balances my other activities – be it life, work, family, friends etc. It also exhibits a certain “beauty” when I am trying to discover and understand it. Good luck to your school! From how you articulate your thoughts, I think it’s going to be a good school. maybe I’ll just go to your school one day.
June 13th, 2006 at 8:16 pm
I agree with Dave, in that during my privates, I got A LOT of corrections that I probably wouldn’t have gotten in the group class. For instance, in 1 hr, we went over detailed corrections for 3 movements! Talk about the intense pain of being strong enough to hold the posture to get the corrections, then after the corrections, I tended to feel MORE PAIN, which was due to the qi not being locked up in my hip and went straight into my thigh! Very painful, but quite good at the same time.
I don’t regret the privates and I actually miss them, however I feel that I’ve gotten enough out of the privates that I have quite a bit of material to work on until I can potentially start attending regular classes again.
However, unlike Dave, I’ve never intended to open up my own school. I mainly do taiji for myself and at times I will occasionally assist others a long the path to give them a taste, but ultimately recommend them to my instructors or other teachers for further exploration.
Like you, taiji is the glue that ties all other things together and gives me perspective.
June 13th, 2006 at 8:37 pm
Well, I don’t do Taiji, although am fascinated by the philosophy aspect of it, hehe. I suppose you need to ask yourself what are you trying to achieve or the reason for doing so? Is this most important to you at this point in time? For wujimon, his son is most important to him at this point in time. The decision is based more on your principles in life.
Time is beyond anyone’s control, the decision, though is well-within our control. I only fully appreciate this recently although I have known this for a few years…I’m a slow learner, hehe.
June 14th, 2006 at 12:44 am
Thanks for all the wonderful comments. It’s actually after listening to you guys I have made my decision to go down this route.
wish me luck!
June 14th, 2007 at 5:23 pm
This one makes sence “One’s first step in wisdom is to kuesstion everything – and one’s last is to come to terms with everything.”