My teacher, Bill, always said, “to really learn Taiji, you need to access your inner teacher, to find that teacher, you must teach the form in some way; whether it’s teaching it to others or teaching it to yourself –like with left-handed form.” He would then go on to say, “there will come a time when I will say ‘I can teach you no more,’ because to teach you more, I would have to teach you to be me, and you don’t need to learn to be me; you need to learn to be you.”

Those were the words that led me to be a teacher, to impart my skills and training to others and teach them the beauty of this art. Which is something I’ve gladly done for over 13 years now. A couple of years ago one of my (and Bill’s, coincidentally) students approached me about certifying as a teacher. I had worked out an apprentice program about a year or so before she asked, and I was eager to try it out. Melissa has been a great apprentice, and very patient with me as I figure out this whole certification thing.

Recently, as part of her test, I asked her how she would break down the form into a structured class. She answered correctly, and in doing so reminded me of an old grid-style agenda I used to use to help me run the class. I found it and brought it to class to show her. Both of us came to the same realization. I should start using it again!

The old Dragon Studios agenda

After 13 years, I’ve become a bit absent-minded when it comes to teaching. I still teach the core principles and manage to transmit enough of my knowledge that my student’s learn Taijiquan. Yet I realized, looking at the agenda form, that over the last few years I had been missing certain teachings that I could have imparted, and, had I been following the agenda, I would have taught a few core ideas more than once every six or so months.

I continue to learn from my students, even if it’s being reminded to return to my old ways from time to time. I hope I never stop learning from them.

Namasté