(no subject)

[ocelot]

I've been talking lately about my evil 6:00AM Tai Chi class.

I'm debating whether I want to continue taking it next semester.

Pros:

* It's regular exercise
* It gets me up and going in the morning
* I like the idea of learning the rest of the form
* I won't feel like a loser for quitting
* It would help motivate koyote, who wants to continue
* It would make getting up at 7:30 or so for my Saturday class more bearable.
* It's entirely possible that the teacher will become more bearable if I show I'm serious by returning.

Cons:

* It isn't really highly aerobic exercise. I suspect the benefit is about the same as an equivalent amount of time walking. Not that this is bad (it's certainly better than no exercise), but it isn't all that great, either. The exercise could be made up in another class/activity that meets at a better time and that I find more enjoyable.
* I've actually been getting to work later than usual since starting TC, mainly because I tend to need a nap afterwards if I want to function during the rest of the day.
* I already find the mornings uncomfortably cold. As the weather gets worse, this is unlikely to improve (It's an outdoor class).
* It will leave me with very little free time on days I have class, since I have to get to sleep so early (by 10 if I want enough sleep)
* I was seriously depressed during much of my last class due to stress, lack of sleep, and lack of time. I don't want to go through that again.
* I don't like the teacher's teaching style. At best, it's hard to follow and/or he pays very little attention to our progress. At worst, he makes me feel like crap for not magically knowing things that he's never explained or for having a different learning style than he teaches for.

The main problems are these last three. I don't feel that it needs to be enjoyable all the time, but it also shouldn't be significantly adding to my stress levels.

Part of this is my attitude. koyote just doesn't take the teacher personally, and figures that the teacher's complaining and negativity are more of a reflection on the teacher than himself. He's probably right, but my brain isn't quite as rational. Plus, I don't really want to learn from a teacher who I can't take seriously.

I just have such a history of taking and then dropping martial arts classes that not continuing with this one, even for legitimate reasons, feels wrong. It also feels wrong to quit with the form half-finished (though it's possible I can pick up the rest from koyote and books).

Anyone have any significant points one way or the other that I haven't thought of yet?

Comments

[fiorebrilliante.livejournal.com]

As someone who took and assistant-instructed Tai Chi for 2 years, my opinion is that your comfort level and the instructor have a LOT to do with it. You may be right that the instructor will be more bearable if you stick with it, however.

Be honest with yourself - will you really teach yourself the rest of the form? It gets tougher to visualize from here on out.

As far as exercise, no Tai Chi isn't strictly aerobic (unless you start doing push-hands fighting, which I can teach you), but it is extremely good endurance training.

The bottom line is how much do you want it? Maybe you should consider trying it for next semester, at least to start, and dropping it if you don't feel right about it.

[therealocelot.livejournal.com]

As someone who took and assistant-instructed Tai Chi for 2 years, my opinion is that your comfort level and the instructor have a LOT to do with it.

Yes, I think so, too.

I remember that I would have done just about anything for some of my karate teachers. Not that they didn't work us to death, but they were a lot more supportive, and showed respect towards us.

Be honest with yourself - will you really teach yourself the rest of the form? It gets tougher to visualize from here on out.

Eh, probably not. Especially since it now looks like Christof may not want to continue either. Still, it's an option. Perhaps a better way of wording it would be that there are other options available - I don't have to take it from this particular teacher in order to learn it.

The bottom line is how much do you want it?

Not enough to want to deal with this class.

The thing is, studying for one more semester really isn't going to do anything. Sure, I'll probably have learned the whole form by the end of it, which is good, but that's not "the end". I'd rather find a teacher I feel I can work with on a long term basis.

If the new semester started immediately, I'd probably give it a shot. But it doesn't start until the end of September. The teacher offers classes in the interim for free for continuing students, but I don't think that I can morally do that unless I'm truly planning to sign up for classes next semester, which is something I can't devote to at this point.

If koyote decides to continue, perhaps I'll arrange to pay the teacher on a per-class basis in order to get around that issue.

Thanks :)

Thanks :)

Re:

[fiorebrilliante.livejournal.com]

Glad I could help!

[therealocelot.livejournal.com]

Don't ask me how the "Thanks :)" got in there twice...