Shapes of Balance, what is it?
Introduction
The Tai Chi Shapes of Balance system, what is it?
That isn’t a question of what you learn or practice, but how you do it.
What is your attitude? What do you want to achieve? And on which level? What skills do you want to develop?
What is essential to learning and practice for achieving your goals and dreams in a reasonable time?
How you can use your time of training wisely?
The Shapes of Balance system isn’t a set of techniques or forms of the style. The system goes far beyond the technical aspects.
Shapes of Balance system is art and science of research and learning through practical experience.
This is a strategic method of practice, learning, and teaching.
Everyone has their own personal strategy for the learning process. Some people are more effective, others are less. Some people deep think about the way of learning, others not so much.
Everyone has different dreams, goals and expectations. And different ideas how they can achieve them.
The Shapes of Balance system is my way of practicing, learning and teaching others as well, based on dozens of years of experience from daily practice, in which I’ve been all ears on, and deep reflections on the experiences from the process.
I share those experiences and thoughts with my students, friends, and others who are interested in the story for dozens of years.
I’ve been doing this in my workshops and courses for over fifty years, and I’d like to write about it a bit.
What do I read right now for the practice inspiration?
I’m reading the book, Stolen Focus, Why You Can’t Pay Attention by Johann Hari, second time. That’s a great book.
I recommend the book for everyone, especially Tai Chi practitioners and even more importantly for instructors. After reading the book and reflecting a bit, we can better understand what kind of the challenges we’re facing to help ourselves and our students to overcome.
The interesting books I find useful for better understanding process of practice
“The human foot is a masterpiece of engineering and a work of art.”
— Leonardo da Vinci
I’m reading the book, “Simple Steps to Foot Pain Relief: The New Science of Healthy Feet” by Katy Bowman.
I think anyone who works seriously with movement should read this book. Great book about how our feet work.
Tai Chi Caledonia
Very busy summer is waiting for me this year. I go after my summer Tai Chi camp with advanced students for international Tai Chi meeting, Tai Chi Caledonia. I’m invited to teach there on one of the workshops.
Tai Ch Caledonia will be from 17th to 24th July 2015 and this year is special. The meeting in Scotland has a long tradition in Europe. This year is the 20th anniversary of Tai Chi Caledonia and the 20th anniversary of The Taijiquan & Qigong Federation for Europe.
Thomas Nowakowski Shapes of Balance Studio
I have a channel on YouTube, Thomas Nowakowski Shapes of Balance Studio. It is a part of my larger project. I publish my films there.
Thomas Nowakowski Shapes of Balance Studio link:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCAovh5WAA7pN2UET9aMSwQ
A film from one of my regular workshop in London, for example:
Ward off in “Moving Hands Like Clouds”
The Tai Chi Forms, even the simplest, are the composition of movements created by thirteen fundamental ways of the force emission, known as “Thirteen Fundamental Tai Chi Forms” or “Thirteen Basic Tai Chi Forms”.
For example, in the form “Moving Hands Softly Like Clouds”, we use the most time “Ward Off” force in the site step. This version of the form is more popular and better known to Tai Chi practitioners.
Although the form “Moving Hands Softly Like Clouds” is possible to performance different way with clearer emphasize of spiral movement of “twisting” force. We use in this case different type of the force emission, “Roll Back”. Second most important of 13th fundamental Tai Chi forms after “Ward Off”.
It is also possible to use different legs’ work by using different positions and steps. For example: “Bow Position”, different types of steps and directions of the movement. The form can be practiced individual as well as a double form with the partner. This type of more advanced training goes over “standard” form’s performance.
On the film, I show classical, standard version of “Moving Hands Softly like Clouds” form with emphasizing “Ward Off” force from “13th Fundamental Tai Chi Forms”.
Shapes of Balance 