Truth be Told.
Hindsight, they say, is always 20/20.
When I look back at my 15 years of back pain, the near certain surgery, and the journey to find a permanent resolution to the pain. I realize the triple benefit I received. Not only did I avoid surgery and find my career path through the Alexander Technique, I also found my way back to golf.
Like so many serious amateurs, golf is more than a game to me, starting from the BIG BANG. At the age of five, I delivered a descending blow to a ball sending it skyward! This defied my experience of trying to help the ball into the air, and extensive knowledge of physics.
Since then, golf has been a leit motif, a constant theme in my life.
With detours for the polyester plaid pant wearing, early 70’s and a 14 year career as a ballet/modern dancer. Golf remained a constant, through death, divorce and a near fatal plane crash.
Constant back pain nearly ended my golf playing days at age 34. But thanks to the patient teaching of my first Alexander Technique Teacher, Judy Stern, I recovered my game. Golf and the Alexander Technique became forever linked. Not only was I able to swing freely again, but Alexander’s principles also taught me more about how to play the game and lower my scores.
Two years later as I trained to become an Alexander Technique teacher, I was introduced to Tai Chi. Oblivious, I did not make an immediate connection between Tai Chi and golf.
It wasn’t until after four years of inconsistent Tai Chi practice, the lightbulb of recognition lit!
One day on the practice range, I was shifting weight in my backswing when I realized, I was using the principles from Tai Chi known as “sung”, the center leads, and differentiate full and empty.
The Tai Chi principles had seeped into my golf swing creating consistent solid ball striking. That’s when I knew it was time to take my Tai Chi practice seriously. It became clear, my commitment to the Alexander Technique and Tai Chi was deeply rooted in my love of golf! and my desire to become an accomplished player!
Truth be Told, for some, golf is a social/business activity, and a chance to be outside. For players like me, who think they’re going to break the course record, every time a peg is put in the ground… golf is more.
It is my Quixotic quest to reach beyond my perceived limitations, to face the best and worst parts of my character. In Chinese terms golf is my “Gung-Fu”, (formally known as Kung-Fu) which means golf has helped me get on and stay on a “disciplined path” of the Alexander Technique and Tai Chi.
For that, I am very grateful.
~Edward Bilanchone
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