ANATOLY IVANOV / PROSE / 2010-11-17

LOOKING FOR A TAI CHI CHUAN MENTOR IN HONG KONG, PARIS OR GENEVA

by Anatoly IVANOV

SPORT PHYSIOLOGY / MY NEWS

I need your help, please. Would you, or someone you know, recommend a Tai Chi Chuan (太极拳) mentor for me?

WHY A MENTOR?

I’m interested in someone that would be more than just a coach. Most of the crucial skills I have learnt in my life were passed to me by people more akin to close friends. Mutual interest and respect. Focus on the individual. Life-changing.

I’m not looking to attend a class of 30.

One-on-one would be ideal. 4 students per session is the maximum.

APPROACH

I’m looking for someone who shares my approach to life, art and design, someone who:

TIME

I’d like to dedicate at least 7 hours per week to learning. I’m ready to start tomorrow.

4 hours every day, for 4 days followed by a 2-day break, for at least 3 months to begin, would be optimal.

LEVEL

I’d like to start from zero. I have some background in karate, which I didn’t like, and real-life street fighting, but not much.

However, I have a runner / cyclist / climber body ready for hard work. I run distances longer than the marathon, speed cycle for days and climb challenging rock and ice routes.

LANGUAGES

So we can understand each other, I’m searching for someone who speaks English, French or Russian.

LOCATION

I’m looking for someone in Hong Kong, Paris or Geneva.

EXCHANGE

I’d be delighted to barter the lessons for my expertise. I can teach:

beginning at any level.

I’m also ready to pay, if money is preferred.

REASONS

I’d like to learn tai chi for 2 reasons:

1 / A way to wind down and relax

I’m a workaholic. I’ve been taught and conditioned to work really hard and produce above average results. I became quite good at working 3 full-time jobs (photographer, designer, journalist), simultaneously. But I have no clue how to stop my constant on-going creative process and give my body and mind a break.

Running or cycling for 2 hours each day leave me fresh and energized, ready for more work, not for some sleep.

I’ve considered yoga, but I’m a dynamics, movement person. Yoga is too static for me.

2 / Defense

As a photographer, I always work on location, often at night and sometimes in risky places. I’d like to learn to better defend myself and my equipment.

UPDATE

Thanks so much everyone! I’ve found an extremely nice and friendly taiji group from Hong Kong, with an excellent teacher, based in Geneva. Mostly Cantonese is spoken (and eaten). I’m very glad.

CHANGE LOG

2010-11-17 Updated the result of the search.
2010-09-02 First publication.

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