The first time I ever saw t'ai chi I was hooked. We were a perfect match both mentally and physically. I loved its grace, skill, and power.
There were few teachers then, mostly in the big cities and mostly from China. The method of teaching was reflective of the Chinese cultural personality, not the American cultural personality. Any additional resources, like books and videos in English, were virtually nonexistent.
Here I am some 40 years later still doing t'ai chi. The only difference now is that the satisfaction and joy I feel is much greater than when I first began. How can that be? For one thing, I'm a lot better at it.
I am frequently asked, don't you ever get bored doing the same exercise over and over again? The simple answer is No!
The full beauty of t'ai chi doesn't lie in some secondary benefit it can offer, but rather in experiencing it directly. Those who persevere in their practice discover it is much more than a physical exercise; it is an art the practice of which never grows old.
"I have restarted the practice of T'ai Chi. It feels like the happiness one feels after reuniting with a dear friend. Again, as I revisit T'ai Chi, I think of you and want to thank you for the gifts you have given me."
— Karen, Illinois