Lee has been a Flying Dragon member of the 21st century tai chi academy for some time. Combining this flexible approach with her other training, Lee, who is based in New Zealand (NZ) has created her own freshly brewed approach to teaching and calls it BalanceBrew.
In this interview Lee talks about her journey to tai chi, her country, her training and her fears about teaching - something that will echo amongst many that have encountered similar difficulties on the tai chi road.
Her approach is open, diverse, honest and shaped by the world at her doorstep. These fundamental qualities, often overlooked and rarely embraced, in my mind at least, are as essential as the knowledge of any form or espoused application normally listed as proof of "sifu" status. Thanks for sharing your story Lee.
1 Background: What first brought you to tai chi?
It's my daughter's fault. All my life I had suffered from social anxiety and low self-esteem. I had taken up weight training, running and cycling to try and boost my self confidence and reduce my anxiety. It sort of worked but it was hard work, physically and mentally. After the birth of my daughter I couldn't keep up with all the exercise, so of course low self-esteem and anxiety returned with a new upgrade added, parental anxiety.
I needed to find a way to reduce stress and save my sanity that was not high intensity and not yoga. (Apologies to any Tai Chi yogis out there). After scrolling through what seemed like an endless stream of yoga classes, (almost as worse as our NZ obsession with rugby), I came across a Tai Chi class. I didn't have a clue what it really was, all I knew was it said "beginners class gentle exercise", and what really sealed the deal was that it was at a time where I could escape the house.
Even though it was "gentle", I completely sucked at it, felt clumsy, and completely uncoordinated. To be honest it was pure determination to get at least one move right, but I always felt amazingly calm afterwards.
After a while I started noticing my anxiety reducing which snowballed into me becoming an amazingly calm chilled awesome mum, (daughter may have a different opinion on that last bit though).
Although I respect the martial aspect of this art for me personally it's the mental and emotional growth that I get from Tai Chi and Qigong that keeps me coming back.
2 Training: How easy has it been to find resources in NZ?
I was extremely lucky in the beginning to come across Tai Chi Internal Arts. It was a class that taught a modified form of Yang-style tai chi developed by the Taoist monk Moy Lin-shin.
In NZ you can generally trip over a yoga class, but with Tai chi classes you do have to search around. If you're after a beginners class, and not bothered by what style of Tai Chi, you can generally find a class somewhere out there. However, if you're after a specific style, (like Sun, Wu, Chen), or an advanced class it can be really tricky.
We have such a smaller population compared to many other countries, and I think our Tai Chi market size is a bit more niche and not all towns, especially our smaller rural areas will have classes available. Or even know what Tai Chi, or especially Qigong, actually is.
I'm sure, just like everywhere else, the quality of our instructors vary a bit. To become a teacher ourselves we either have to learn it online or have been lucky enough to be taught by our instructor, who was taught by theirs and so forth. I was lucky. I was taught how to teach through Internal Arts Tai Chi, and also online through the Tai Chi for Health Institute.
In terms of resources we have a NZ National T'ai Chi Ch'uan Association which helps support us small Tai Chi practitioners.
And of course the good old Library. I have personally found a wealth of knowledge scouring the Tai Chi sections. After blowing the dust of some of the old tomes and gingerly opening the yellowing pages, you can find some interesting information and new perspectives on some moves.
I'm also a bit of a collector of Tai chi books, by accident of course. I have way too many books on Tai chi and Qigong, most of which I still have yet to read. I always think to myself if I read these books I'll know more stuff! Eventually I will get past the covers and actually read them.
3 What training have you done and what other practices have you studied?
I originally trained to become a teacher with Steve Schapel of Tai chi Internal Arts, learning the Taoist Yang Moy Lin-Shin style and Shibashi Qigong. From there I trained online with Tai Chi For Health (Dr Paul Lam), under Master trainer Tamara Bennett, as an official fully credited Tai Chi for Health instructor. The main style I teach under Tai Chi for health is Sun style.
I have also attended online classes with Lee Fang (Tai Chi with Fang), mainly learning 24 Form, 37 Form, and 42 Form. And I am currently learning Lee Fang's qigong with boading balls sequence, along with set two of Shibashi Qigong, purchased through Lin Housesheng website
And of course I'm making my way through all the awesome courses at the Teapot Monk Academy.
Come to think of it I maybe slightly obsessed with tai Chi as I haven't really set foot onto anything much outside of my current practices. I have a sword, and I have started eyeing up the sword course in the academy. And I've recently stumbled upon Lok Hup Ba Fa which I'm a bit curious about.
4 Teaching: where, what and who do you teach?
Currently I'm teaching in my home town, Christchurch over at an awesome little hall in Heathcote surrounded by peaceful scenery.
I teach Sun Style Tai Chi created by Dr Paul Lam, Tai Chi for Health Institute. To be honest I really only teach this style because I have been "certified" by Tai Chi for Health to teach it. Lately I have been really pondering on my need to feel I require a certificate in order to teach. But that's a whole other can of worms.
I also teach a small Shibashi Qigong class.
The classes are community based, open to anyone wanting to learn. The age range of my classes has naturally fallen into the 50-80s, mostly women.
5 What has been difficult and what has been easier than you expected in teaching?
Some days are amazing some days I question my sanity.
👉 Difficulties encountered:
Trying to include new members along with my current members. I find this can get pretty tricky and I still haven't quite figured this out as yet.
Different personalities and temperament. I have one longtimer who is impatient if we go slow, I have one that hates going too fast, and I have another who wants to learn all the things all at once, and I have one who's there just for the social side. Trying to keep them all focused in class can often times be a bit challenging.
👉 Easier than expected:
Actually teaching and trusting that I won't forget everything. Once the class gets underway I find I do know stuff.
6 What plans for the future? And what words of encouragement would you have for others considering teaching?
Future plans: I would like to offer classes online to reach a broader audience. And also break into the retirement villages, I figure at present that's where most of my clientele are hiding!
I have also been thinking of possibly breaking into the mental health scene for young people. Tai Chi, especially in NZ, is predominantly aimed at older people, however I would love to try and change this perception.
Words of wisdom: Make a plan but be prepared to change it once the class gets into it. I'll have an idea of what move we will do in the class that day and there will be 50% chance I'll get there and the class will want to work on a completely different move.
Also, you know way more than you think. I didn't think I would do that well teaching, I thought my anxiety would be triggered back into action, plus I didn't feel I knew that much beyond just doing the moves. It wasn't until I jumped head first into teaching that I realized, I did know stuff beyond the moves, that I could pass on.
Don't let certificates hold you back. By all means if you feel you need the certificate as a confidence boost like I did in the beginning, do it, but don't feel like you're not allowed to teach without one. For a long time I had myself convinced that I could not teach unless I was "certified".
Lastly, if you make a mistake, get your left and rights wrong, or forget a move halfway through it, (I've done all of these), don't stress, add a bit of humour and just laugh it off. It also shows the class that you're actually human.
7 Global: We hear a lot about teachers from the USA, China or South East Asia, but less so from other smaller countries. What is unique about being a teacher in New Zealand?
NZ uniqueness:
We have a range of scenic views, mountains, beaches, forest, and lakes which we can make use of as backdrops to our Tai Chi practices. NZ Tai Chi teachers have more of a focus on well being and community aspect of Tai Chi. Being a multicultural country we also like to blend things together that compliment each other, for example, I have been to some classes that have managed to blend Tai Chi with Māori health practices and philosophies.
How to Contact Lee
Website: https://www.balancebrewnz.com/
FaceBook : https://www.facebook.com/BalanceBrewNZ
Where I Teach:
- Mondays 10am Tai Chi
- Tuesdays 10 am Qigong
105 Bridle Path Road Heathcote
Christchurch NZ
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