I have structured my classes based on the traditional approach my teachers used during my years of study. Originally Tai chi chuan was only taught to family members or to those who lived in the same village as the master.
Once tai chi became an art form and made available to the general public, lessons were often taught in the parks or recreational centers. Today, we see hundreds of people every morning practicing tai chi in various parks throughout Asia and in cities where there's a large Asian population like New York, San Francisco, Chicago and London, among others.
From the parks a few were invited to practiced at the master's backyard, or came by way of recommendation from another master. The training was more intense and more focus was placed on body alignments and adherence to tai chi principles.
The indoor students were those in the backyard who displayed strong commitment to the art and were invited to learn inside the master's home. They learned aspects of the art not taught to those outside the master's house.
Very few indoor students actually became closed door students. Their instruction took place inside the private rooms of the master's house and learned the deeper aspects of the art.
During my 40 + years of study, I have experienced all of these methods of instruction. I consider myself fortunate. I think it has been a matter of what the Chinese people call Yuanfen(缘分) — "fate that brings people together".
I hope that is also true for you and I.
Fernando Bernall
Saint Augustine, FL
