The latest number of the Yang Tai Chi
Journal recently came out. In it, Master
Han Hoong Wang was interviewed, and shared her experience with tai chi generally
and Grandmaster Yang Zhenduo specifically.
I’ve never said this out loud, but my “Tai Chi in the Park” is mostly inspired by his example.
Han Laoshi also talked about the seminars he taught, and her impressions of Grandmaster Yang's approach to teaching. This got me thinking about my own classes, and by contrast, the idea of private lessons.
Traditionally, private martial arts classes in China were the province of the well-heeled. The teacher typically lived in the residence of his patron and teaching was his “day job.” In modern times, private lessons are still offered, only the teacher rarely lives in the residence of the patron.
When I taught at the studio, I was offered the opportunity to give private lessons, but I declined as a matter of policy. It’s not that I think they shouldn’t exist – it’s none of my business how people spend their money. But private lessons are not for me.
My first objections are purely practical. Practicing tai chi with no one but one’s teacher is like playing chess or tennis for years against only your coach. Each endeavor involves learning the other person’s energy, style and so on. It also involves seeing how other “players” express their own understanding of the art – we ought to study other students as much as our teacher. If you’re only “playing” against a single person, it doesn’t matter how long you go nor how good a teacher or coach you have. You don’t know how to “do” tai chi or play chess or tennis – you merely know how to do these things with that teacher or that coach. A different tai chi player or a different opponent will be a closed book to you.
My other objection is largely subjective, but my opinion on it is even stronger. I’ve previously written about “Community;” specifically, the tai chi community. Han Laoshi’s interview goes into detail on this community and its value, not only to its members but to the history and future of the art. Private lessons present an obstacle to participation in this community. A student might find his or her way to it, through enthusiasm, but the odds are stacked.
It’s my belief that private lessons, untempered by interaction with the larger tai chi community, leaves the student with an impoverished version of the art, and ignorant of its fullest potential.
