My Masters my teachers

by Gloria Dean,

artist, author and teacher of Tai Chi Chuan

My career as an artist has led me on many unexpected paths, including the restoration of valuable antique Chinoiserie furniture and works of art. Every day I would draw, apply, carve and gild tiny people who amongst their everyday activities, were practising their art of Tai Chi. I portrayed their beautiful flowing movements and purposeful stances with delight and I often thought how wonderful it would be to learn.

So sometime later galvanised by a brief, but fortuitous encounter with a student of Tai Chi, the little knowledge I had already acquired through my work and the fact that Tai Chi followed much of the philosophy that I already possessed in my life, I embarked on a new adventure in Tai Chi Chuan.

I wanted to find a master, a mentor. I was riding high school dressage up to that time, and I desired the inspiration that I had found in my riding master, Lord Henry Loch.

 I sought the advice of the Tai Chi Union of Great Britain, and the BCCMA, and although not my preferred way of learning, I went to a local class. I liked and was impressed with the senior students and watched their teacher, Keith,  perform with fluidity, beauty, focus and dynamism.

This I thought could be the one I am looking for, how could I have found him so easily.

Despite this I was soon eager to be out of the full-time class situation. I wished for private lessons, a personal and concentrated learning experience to work alongside it.

 My experience in horsemanship helped enormously with understanding the martial applications and the subtle control of the body. The graceful and devastatingly powerful movements performed in such places of excellence as the Spanish Riding School, are all derived from martial roots, and require the same attention to balance, smoothness, flexibility, responsiveness and elegance (equestrian tai chi). I rode with and learnt from one of the most talented teacher’s I had ever met ,he took me to an exalted level of achievement and understanding ( with still so much to learn ) in three years, before dying so very prematurely.  So I knew this was possible for me to achieve again in another art.

I have never under estimated work and effort, but when this is borne out of desire to reach a peak level in whatever one pursues, it is achievable and gratifying.

 Having taken time out from my class, for personal reasons at that time, I continued to practise, the modest standard of Tai Chi I had reached, every day with my young son. His ability to read, understand, retain information and inexhaustible enthusiasm enabled us to work together under our own impetus. His interest was such that I took him to the man I believed to be the Master we sought. He was! This proved to be a rewarding and intense experience for my son also.

 To watch Keith perform is inspiriting, his Tai Chi is beautiful but also purposeful and dynamic. Steadfast in his attention to perfect alignment, intention and detail. His depth of understanding, his generous ability to share and pass on his knowledge enriching.

It was only later that I became aware of the enormous health problems he had overcome (so little does he let them show).

 These would have stopped most in their tracks, but despite this, he keeps up his training, pursues his own studies, and luckily for those of us fortunate enough to learn from him, his teaching.

 As for me, I am still working (and now living) with my mentor in the art of Tai Chi Chuan and am currently studying the Tai Chi Sword form. This elegant and flowing form heightens my awareness and focus, with the sword ´moving like the calligrapher’s pen`.

My work grows, it opens my mind and inspiration for my painting comes more easily.

Art is an expression of the reaction of the spiritual self, to the encounters of everyday reality and sometimes more. In practicing my Tai Chi I get in touch with these emotions, experiencing them as physical manifestations which interfere with or sometimes improve my form. In seeking balance within I become more aware of my true self and it is this I attempt to express within my art and my life.

                          Gloria

To discover more about Gloria you can visit www.gloriadean.com

 ©Golden Rooster Media Penela 2008