BALANCED N MOTION

Quality vs Quantity

When learning something new it is always important to approach it gradually so that you can become proficient. For example when learning to play an instrument, you begin with learning how to hold the instrument and then are taught a few notes to practice with.  As you practice those notes, they feel awkward at first but become easier to work at the more you practice.  Soon you're ready to be taught a few more notes.  If you keep at it over time, you learn all the notes and the quality of sound improves, continually improving proportionate to the amount of practice and patient effort you are able to maintain. 

 

The same is to be said for learning a new style of running or walking. You begin with a few body focuses, working to feel them, instilling them into your muscle memory as you move about. Just like learning those first few notes, these focuses may feel awkward but with time, you are ready to add additional focuses.  Over a period of time depending on how much commitment you put into learning those body instructions, you become more fluent with your movement. More importantly, because you worked at correctly building your base, you are able to hold the proper form with greater stamina but with little increase in effort. 

 

Just like a musician, you must continue to practice to maintain your craft. If you remember that quality is always more important than quantity when learning anything, you will always set yourself up to succeed in any endeavor you undertake, particularly true in all aspects of Chi Living.  

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