|
|
 |
 |
FAQ
Tai Chi and Alexander Technique:
Golf:
Alexander Technique and Tai Chi:
How will Tai Chi and the Alexander Technique help my golf game?
The golf swing is a complex movement pattern requiring balance, proper sequencing, and the effective application of force. Tai Chi is the best off-course training for developing these movement skills. Practice is essential for learning and improving your golf game. Whether you use a driving range or swing a club at home, practice does not necessarily make perfect. We may unconsciously incorporate swing faults into our practice routine, and those faults become difficult to change. The Alexander Technique is designed to detect and change movement habits at a fundamental level. As the habits change, exciting new swing possibilities emerge.
How do I find a good teacher?
Here are some Web sites that can help you find an Alexander Technique teacher in your area:
Tai Chi has a number of different forms, and standards for teachers may vary. A teacher in the Yang Short Form of Cheng Man-ch'ing must have at least five years of training and a daily practice. It can be a major asset if they also know anatomy and physiology. For classes in the Washington Metro area, see Michael Ward's website.
How many lessons will I need in the Alexander Technique?
The traditional number of lessons in the Alexander Technique is 30. It takes only a few seconds to change your mind, much longer to recover from a strong emotion, and longer still to retrain the body. Generally after 30 lessons, students achieve a level of independence from the teacher. They may continue to take lessons or work on their own.
How long does it take to learn the Tai Chi form?
The time it takes to learn the solo form of Tai Chi is between 18 and 36 months. It is similar to learning a language or playing an instrument: Do you want to be able to say hello or listen to the news? Do you want to play a simple tune on the piano or a Beethoven concerto? Anyone who has developed a degree of mastery in a physical art (whether it's hitting a baseball, yoga, or Tai Chi) knows that the deeper you go, the more time it takes to actualize change. (Remember when Tiger went through a major swing change with Butch Harmon? It took 18 months.) Real change and mastery take time. The results are worth it.
Golf:
Why is the mental side of the game so important?
There are a number of reasons, but the most basic is that the brain directs the body to move. It is imperative to develop a clear idea of what has to be done, i.e. using your body to impart force to a ball at a target while using a club. Using the information it gathers from the senses (especially vision and touch), the brain also decides how far, what trajectory, and how much spin to use for a shot. The structures in the brain devoted to emotion and self-reflection can sometimes get in the way of a well-planned golf shot. New training techniques for the brain are coming on the heels of recent brain research. The advances in training for the brain/body will be discussed on this Web site and in an upcoming book on golf and the Alexander Technique.
How do I change my swing faults?
Real change is not a repackaging of our habit. Einstein said "you cannot solve a problem from the same consciousness that created it." Simply put, if I knew the right thing to do, I would already be doing it. Swing faults are directly related to movement habits. All learned habits are controlled by the brain, so change has to start with thinking. The unique way thought is used to change habits in the Alexander Technique is a reliable way to change swing habits. It is best experienced firsthand. You cannot change by reading a book.
How should I practice?
Individuals will vary. I suspect that legendary golfer Ben Hogan's meditation time was on the range, preparing every detail of the game he could control for competition. Do not confuse Hogan's careful practice time with hitting more balls than your competitors. Mindlessly beating balls does not translate to the rhythm of playing the game. Plan your shots. Invent situations as if you were playing a hole. Work on a clear intention and visualization for each shot. More will be said about practice in subsequent articles on this Web page.
|
|
 |
|
