Tai Chi Quotes

“At first, verticality requires work because most of us are accustomed to slouching—but verticality actually requires less work because a balanced load is a stable load, and the human head weighs something like eight pounds. Offset the head just an inch or two, and the body experiences wear and tear along its entire length. Yet we’ve all seen photos of third-world women balancing enormous loads on their heads with no strain at all.”
― William Broughton Burt, Tai Chi: Moving at the Speed of Truth

“start on time? Is the bathroom clean? Are your feelings positive in that space? You won’t find perfection anywhere, nor do you need it. Just go in with a humble attitude and soak up everything you can. Come a few minutes early and sweep the floor or tidy the bathroom. Bring fresh flowers. Contribute, and learn whatever you can, and when the time comes to move on, leave on good terms with everyone. Don’t show up at all unless you’re willing to commit to at least six months of humble receptiveness. And don’t quit without notifying the instructor and thanking him or her sincerely. Present a small gift, nicely wrapped, to cement what should be a lifelong relationship. In China, they say a teacher for a day is a parent for a lifetime.”
― William Broughton Burt, Tai Chi: Moving at the Speed of Truth