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Stages Of Tai Chi

Steve Rowe

In the beginning we have to learn about our mind, emotions and body and harmonise them.Then we have to make them all more intelligent and skilful.Then we have to stop thinking so much and watch them, allowing insight and wisdom to arise.Then we have to be able to recognise energy in all its stages, nurture and alchemise it.90% of this work is done in the unworded mind.When all of this work is harmonised we can enjoy Tai Chi at the highest level. Continue reading Stages Of Tai Chi

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The Power Of Insight

Steve Rowe

It’s important to understand insight. We create a mindful state to allow insight to arise. It arises from the unconditioned, immortal, unborn, unformed part of our mind and by its very nature escapes definition. Insight creates wisdom, it allows our mind to see what is otherwise hidden. Therefore it is an important skill to develop. Good posture allows deeper breathing.Deeper breathing calms the body.As the body calms so does the emotions.As the emotions calm so does the mind.By focusing on our breathing this develops our sensitivity and focuses the mind.This opens a portal into the unconditioned, immortal, wordless mind.This allows … Continue reading The Power Of Insight

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Stand Up To Abuse!

Steve Rowe

Know the difference! So called ‘friends and family’ who only like you when you do what they want and turn on you when you don’t are not ‘friends or family’. Dump them. Real friends and family let you be who you are and support you to grow and when you’re down. You’d think that was obvious. Yet I constantly watch people who are having the knife twisted in their guts by bullying, narcissistic family and so called friends who they cling to because they think that they are ‘family and friends’. Real friends are then discarded because they are seen … Continue reading Stand Up To Abuse!

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Instructor’s Eye

Steve Rowe

You think your instructors can’t see behind your BS, your excuses, your mask… but the truth is they can see right into your soul. It’s just polite for the instructor to not reveal what they see, so they smile patiently as they listen to the excuses, the distractions and only help or reveal what they see when appropriate. It’s up to the student to tread the path, to put in the time and effort, to sort out their life and emotions, an instructor has to wait until the time is right to put in their bit. But don’t think for … Continue reading Instructor’s Eye

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A Successful Martial Arts Coach

Steve Rowe

After 50 years in the martial arts and going through various incarnations of successfully teaching various arts, being one of the first professional instructors and starting one of the first full time centres, growing old and having to use others to teach many classes I’ve learned a bit about teaching and running a full time centre. What’s the biggest secret of success? It’s you. The coach. This point is often glossed over with ‘continued professional development’ like gathering certificates, doing courses, seminars and the like, but neglects the most important part. You need depth, the part that can’t be easily … Continue reading A Successful Martial Arts Coach

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The Lightest Touch

Steve Rowe

It’s hard to understand the lightness of the touch of Tai Chi. The perfect balance of yin and yang, of ‘sung’ and peng’ create the touch of an angel. The sink to swallow to ‘float’ mean that there is nothing stopping the ethereal movement, the body of a Tai Chi practitioner appears to have no bones, only the whisper and touch of a soft summer breeze. Felt for, he cannot be touched, like reaching into soft cotton, he is a shade, a wraith, a spirit draped in cloud. Tai Chi is art, the sword like a calligraphers brush, takes on … Continue reading The Lightest Touch

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Letting Go..

Steve Rowe

Pick up a stone and hold it in a clenched fist; There are 2 ways to let it go; You can turn your fist palm down and let it go so it drops to the ground; Or you can turn your fist palm upwards and unclench letting it rest in the palm of your hand. People that have been hurt emotionally, Sometimes say they are going to be Buddhist; And practice ‘non-attachment’ so they don’t get hurt again; This is not the Buddhist approach; In fact this is aversion and will bring the same pain as desire. To develop an … Continue reading Letting Go..