Discovering the Depth of Yang Style 24

The first day was devoted to exploring the depth of Yang Style 24 Forms.

I have practiced and taught Tai Chi for years, but one of the beautiful things about Tai Chi is that the learning never really ends.

We can practice the same movement again and again and still discover something new.

A posture can reveal another layer.

A transition can suddenly make more sense.

A movement we thought we understood can become something deeper when we pay closer attention to intention, alignment, structure, relaxation, breathing, and the quality of our movement.

That was one of the gifts of this workshop.

I wasn't simply learning a sequence.

I was learning to look more deeply.

And I was reminded once again that Tai Chi is not something we ever completely "finish" learning.

There is always another layer.

Learning Alongside the Tai Chi for Health Community

Another beautiful part of the weekend was meeting people from the Tai Chi for Health community.

There is something special about being surrounded by people who share a love for this practice and a desire to help others through it.

We came from different places and different backgrounds, but for those two days, we shared the same space, the same practice, the same learning, and the same joy of movement.

There was a wonderful sense of connection.

It reminded me that Tai Chi is not only about what happens within our own bodies.

It also creates community.

It creates relationships.

It brings people together.

And that is something I value deeply in my own teaching.

Going Deeper into Tai Chi for Arthritis & Fall Prevention

The second day was especially meaningful to me because the focus was Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention, a program I have been teaching for the past couple of years.

I came to this workshop already familiar with the form.

But I left seeing it differently.

That may be one of the most beautiful things about continuing education.

Sometimes we don't need to learn something completely new.

Sometimes we need to return to something we already know—and discover how much more there is to understand.

During the workshop, I discovered new layers of depth in movements I have taught many times.

I gained a deeper appreciation for the intention behind the movements, the quality of practice, and the subtle details that can make such a difference.

It reminded me that there is a profound difference between knowing a form and continuing to explore its depth.

And now I am excited to bring what I learned back to my students.

Not to make the practice complicated.

Quite the opposite.

To help make it more meaningful.

To help my students experience the movements with greater awareness.

To continue refining how I teach.

And, most importantly, to keep learning alongside them.

It Was Worth Every Mile

When I think about those two days, I think about the travel.

The expense.

The very little sleep.

The long hours on my feet.

The concentration.

The physical effort.

And yet, I would do it all again.

Because some experiences cannot be measured simply by time, money, or convenience.

The journey to Maine was worth every mile.

The workshops were worth every hour.

The tiredness was worth it.

The learning was worth it.

And the connections were priceless.

Coming Home More in Love with Tai Chi

By the end of those two days, I was physically tired.

I knew I had not slept nearly enough, and my body had spent two full days practicing, moving, standing, focusing, listening, and learning.

But something inside me felt completely renewed.

I realized that I was leaving Maine even more in love with Tai Chi for Health than when I arrived.

That feeling is difficult to describe.

It is the feeling of remembering why you began.

The feeling of discovering that there is still so much more to learn.

The feeling of being inspired by a teacher who has devoted his life to helping others.

The feeling of belonging to a community.

And the feeling of knowing that what we learn can continue to ripple outward through the people we teach.

The Teacher Is Always a Student

I often tell my students that Tai Chi is a journey.

This weekend reminded me that this is true for teachers too.

No matter how many classes we teach, how many forms we learn, or how many years we practice, there is always more to discover.

The deeper we go, the more we realize how much there is still to learn.

I came to Maine as a Tai Chi instructor.

I left reminded that I am also, and always will be, a student.

And perhaps that is one of the greatest gifts of this practice.

We never have to arrive.

We simply keep walking the path.

With curiosity.

With humility.

With gratitude.

And with an open heart.

Thank you, Dr. Paul Lam, for your teaching, your generosity, your wisdom, your humor, and for the tremendous work you have done to bring Tai Chi for Health to people around the world.

Thank you to the Tai Chi for Health community for welcoming me and sharing these beautiful days of learning and connection.

And thank you to all the teachers and mentors who continue to guide my journey.

I came to Maine to learn.

I came home inspired.

And most of all, I came home more deeply in love with Tai Chi.

The journey continues.