Ulf, quoting T.T. Liang

The first whole day of this year’s Tai Chi course. We worked on the first 16 forms, part 1 of 3, today. Most of us have been training Tai Chi for at least 10 years so we “know” how to do the physical movements, which means we are working on a deeper level and on finer details.
In some ways it’s similar to many other activities. You can learn to dance, or to play chess, in a few hours, but many people spend a lot longer than that improving their skills at those and similar pastimes. A few devote a large part of their lives to their chosen activities. I chose my examples because they are all activities you can continue working with your whole life.
Ulf, our instructor, learned Tai Chi in his 40’s I think. Now he’s 85 and still learning and teaching.
In the picture he is reading a quote from “T’ai chi ch’uan for health and self-defense”, written in 1974 by T.T. Liang. The quote is absolutely valid for Tai Chi, but perhaps also for many other activities.
“At first I take up T’ai Chi as a hobby.
Gradually I become addicted to it.
Finally I can no longer get rid of it.
I must keep on practicing for my whole life - it is the only way to preserve health.
The more I practice, the more I want to learn from teachers and books.
The more I learn, the less I feel I know.
The theory and philosophy of T’ai Chi is so profound and abstruse!
I must continue studying forever and ever …
It is the only way to improve and better myself.”
As the title of the book suggests, Tai Chi is a way to good health, and I hope to be practicing it for many more years!