Long Absence from the form. What's my excuse. An easy beginners' form, Yang 8
Hard to believe it's been so long since I added to this blog! I've had two different fights with cancer, the first a diagnosis of prostate cancer, and the second cancer of the parotid gland, the large salivary gland in one's cheek (the same cancer that Roger Ebert had). Both episodes involved 8 weeks of daily radiation treatments, the parotid having been removed surgically (including the major facial nerve, leaving my face partially parallelized). So don't let anyone tell you that Tai Chi prevents or cures cancer. Sorry, but it doesn't.
After the surgery there was a long recovery time, mostly because they removed material from my thigh to stuff into the hole that was left in my face. The leg put me in a wheel chair, then a walker, then a cane. And yes, I did go through as much of my Tai Chi Yang form as I could, and yes, it helped me recover. So don't stop doing it.
I had been teaching the Yang 24 form at a local health center...Rocky's Gym. That lasted one month as people disappeared one by one until only two were left. It was the most productive time for me as I practiced one heck of a lot in those days. But the big C had other ideas for me.
I had not been to a class for several years and had not been going through the Yang Long Form as usual. I'd get through the first section and stop. Maybe not do it at all. I forgot more than I knew. I was in Spain for an art seminar and tour when the leader and I talked about Tai Chi. We must do some, she said. (this was before the second cancer). We were at a villa in Catalonia and went to a nice spot. She knew the Short Form which I had studied but had mostly forgotten. I tried to follow her and was extremely embarrassed at my performance. This should have, but did not inspire me to resume taking classes.
This week I did began again. From the beginning. One of my former teachers, Ron Pfeiffer (www.TaiChiRon.com) has been giving lessons for beginners in nearby Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, about 20 minutes from my house in Delavan. He uses, as an introduction, the Yang 8 form which is easy to learn and based on the traditional Yang form. Here is a link to a demonstration of Yang 8. It is nicely symmetrical.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBv7m2_wpcI
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