My second attempt to learn Tai-Chi was through a class I took at the YMCA: "Tai Chi for Arthritis" taught by Bob Teachout. There, we started out with a simple, unstructured flexing and relaxing warm-up; then, we started practicing the form. (OK, so we chatted a bit before beginning the exercises. Bob liked giving us the soft sell; hey, we're already in the class, we don't need more testimonials.) Bob would name and describe each move as we would go through form: Single Whip, Wave Hands Like Cloud, etc. Later, he would cue us with the names.

We started off with the first few moves; practiced them for a while; worked on clearing our minds, controlling our breathe. Then he slowly added the next move. We would go through what we practiced several times during the class, especially early on when we had only 2 or 3 moves. Table 1 to the right lists the form’s moves. The form is like a short little dance, very short.

Unfortunately, the class was very small, only 3 pupils, and I was the only one who returned for a second term, so the YMCA's policy dictated the class be discontinued. We did get a little ways into the advanced section. (I have since bought Dr. Paul Lam's video upon which this class is based.)

One advantage of a live is instructor is that he can describe the movement with as much detail as needed, name it, and later just cue it by name. Once we knew how to perform "Wave Hands Like Clouds," Bob could just say, "Wave Hands Like Clouds" without describing it. (Naming the movements is something Brandon does not do.)

One more note about difference between Bob and Brandon: to Bob, Tai Chi is a form of meditation and self-discipline. To Brandon, Tai Chi is a form of a self-defense, sort of like Kung-Fu for the old. (I use it as preventative physical therapy.)