I had to change the title here to fix the words "Cla$$ Clown"

@much2say (57145)
Los Angeles, California
February 3, 2025 3:51pm CST
My mom and I take a tai chi (Chinese form of exercise) class for seniors. I would think that adults who take an exercise class do so because they actually want to workout their bodies. There is Karl - an older man we met who is always friendly and funny. Normally he stands in the front row, but on this particular day he was in the back of with us - in front of me. The Master (instructor) started off with his usual morning speech. He is uplifting, motivational, and philosophical - as one would expect from a Master. But he can drone on a little too long . Karl turned around and ran up to me. He whispered with a giggle, "I like it when he talks like this . . . we don't have to exercise as much". I guess even in the adult world there are students who don't want to do the work . What kind of student were/are you ?
17 people like this
18 responses
@JudyEv (345995)
• Rockingham, Australia
4 Feb
I always tried to get my piano teacher (a nun) talking so i didn't have to play so much, especially if I hadn't been practicing.
6 people like this
@much2say (57145)
• Los Angeles, California
6 Feb
Haha - I think I used to pull that one on my piano teacher too .
2 people like this
@TheHorse (223030)
• Walnut Creek, California
11 Feb
LOL! My students do that all the time.
3 people like this
@JudyEv (345995)
• Rockingham, Australia
12 Feb
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (185072)
• United States
3 Feb
Ha,I think I would like Karl. Not a very serious one, but I managed to accomplish my goals
5 people like this
@much2say (57145)
• Los Angeles, California
4 Feb
Karl is a hoot - I think you'd like him. I tried to be serious, but it wasn't in me. If I at least accomplished the goals, I was satisfied.
5 people like this
@shaggin (73766)
• United States
4 Feb
Hmm I wonder why he is there then if he doesn’t want to work as hard. He sounds funny though.
4 people like this
@much2say (57145)
• Los Angeles, California
6 Feb
He's just a big kid . I do see him trying in class . . . but if there's a reason for him to stop, he will .
3 people like this
@RebeccasFarm (91912)
• Arvada, Colorado
4 Feb
He sounds very naughty that man Oh you had to fix the title..ridic.
3 people like this
@much2say (57145)
• Los Angeles, California
6 Feb
Ha ha - naughty is right! Oh but he is a hoot . So funny I had to fix it . . . I can think or worse words .
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (82414)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
3 Feb
I was shy and unsure and usually did not speak up in class,
4 people like this
@much2say (57145)
• Los Angeles, California
4 Feb
I was like that in school - moreso after I went to middle school and high school. I was the one trying to sit in the back and I never raised my hand .
4 people like this
@Deepizzaguy (106503)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
3 Feb
I am the person that needs to be pushed into exercise.
3 people like this
@much2say (57145)
• Los Angeles, California
4 Feb
Is there a subject that you really did like though - that no one had to push you to do?
3 people like this
@much2say (57145)
• Los Angeles, California
6 Feb
@Deepizzaguy Wow, you must be great at math? I wasn't very good with numbers.
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (106503)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
4 Feb
@much2say I love to solve math problems.
4 people like this
@celticeagle (171196)
• Boise, Idaho
4 Feb
I slept through morning classes of history and math. Yuck. I'd love to take one of these classes. Karl sounds fun.
2 people like this
@celticeagle (171196)
• Boise, Idaho
6 Feb
@much2say .......Same here. That would be nice.
2 people like this
@much2say (57145)
• Los Angeles, California
6 Feb
Math just wasn't my thing. I had an interest in history, but I didn't like to do all the reading and memorizing. Wish you could join us! Oh yah, Karl is a hoot - and everyone seems to know him.
2 people like this
• China
4 Feb
He seems to be a very competent instructor ,but what does he make long morning speech for ? Is your tai chi class charged by the hour ?
2 people like this
@much2say (57145)
• Los Angeles, California
6 Feb
The Master likes to remind everyone why tai chi is good for our health - especially as we are aging. He tells us news or studies he has read, or gives us a story that relates to tai chi. Sometimes he repeats himself from before . We pay in advance for an 8 week session class, which is an hour long. I would honestly like it for longer time, but many of the seniors there are huffing and puffing (breathing hard) by the first half hour .
2 people like this
@much2say (57145)
• Los Angeles, California
9 Feb
@changjiangzhibin89 Well, it does help that tai chi is low impact - slower paced. There is a Chinese woman in the class - she says she has been doing tai chi for many years. I am told by her that our Master focuses more on Qigong. He does not use this word, but he does spend most of the class doing "warm up stretches and exercises" - which I like. But this woman prefers the forms which I guess is more of what tai chi practitioners do. I am not sure what style we actually do . . . but we do not do any martial art type moves.
2 people like this
• China
6 Feb
@much2say Oh,I see .You have physical stamina ! Here there are several styles of Tai Chi such as Chen-style,Yang-style,Wu-style and Sun-style.
2 people like this
@rebelann (113205)
• El Paso, Texas
10 Feb
How the heck did I miss this ...... well at least I have found it. I can't recall what kinda student I was but I do know I'm impatient most of the time. I tried to find something about the LA fires and what's going on but the internet isn't forthcoming .... dammmmit How are things where you are, no mudslides I presume but did you at least get some rain?
2 people like this
@much2say (57145)
• Los Angeles, California
14h
But see how long it took me to respond to your response? I was a good student - way back when. At least in the way of behaving - maybe not always about what was being taught though . The fires out definitely out. But oh the mudslides are indeed another bad thing now. They aren't going to tell you a lot anymore on mainstream media . . . they are not allowed . We're not in any of those areas, thankfully. It rained real hard in a short amount of time - that was crazy. It's sunny now and things are getting dry quickly . How are things over there?
1 person likes this
@rebelann (113205)
• El Paso, Texas
13h
Not allowed?? I wonder whats up with that. Probably has something to do with why DT wouldn't approve aid when asked, could that be?? I'm so glad the fires are out. In the 1980s, I think it was the 80s, there were severe mudslides but most of the homes that slid were the mansions that belonged to rich and famous people. Seems to me that poor folk are too smart to build in such areas I got to thinking about being a student way back in the late 50s early 60s and remember mom gettin really frustrated with me because all my teachers told her I wouldn't sit still ..... she never asked me why but those damn desks were super uncomfortable and hard to get comfy in if at all. Yeah, I was figgity for sure but I rarely if ever spoke up in class.
@sallypup (62736)
• Centralia, Washington
4 Feb
I've mostly quit attending classes where others tell me what to do. I exercise in warm water at least once a week- BUT I go to the kiddo pool and do my own thing. I could go to the senior water aerobics class and do what the teacher tells me to do. I have been in such classes before. Nope. I have the option of exercising by myself at my pace and that is what I am doing.
2 people like this
@much2say (57145)
• Los Angeles, California
6 Feb
I get that. You are self motivated and confident to do these things on your own. I go to tai chi mainly for my mom - she wants someone she knows to be with her. I come from a skate/dance background, so I already have my exercise routines that I do on my own. I take this class opportunity to make myself do something out of the norm and then incorporate what I like into my own routine. I am definitely the youngest, so I better keep up .
2 people like this
@sallypup (62736)
• Centralia, Washington
6 Feb
@much2say Thank you. I have participated in three different water aerobics classes. I'm done! I also have never been coordinated. Go you on skating and dancing abilities.
2 people like this
@Fleura (31006)
• United Kingdom
4 Feb
Oh yes - what was wrong with the title?
2 people like this
@much2say (57145)
• Los Angeles, California
6 Feb
The site didn't like "Cla$$ Clown" - I originally did not have the dollar signs there . It told me to fix "a$$ clown" .
2 people like this
@much2say (57145)
• Los Angeles, California
9 Feb
@Fleura I think because it was paired up with "clown" - somehow that must be a bad term, though I never hear that .
1 person likes this
@Fleura (31006)
• United Kingdom
6 Feb
@much2say How bizarre! I've been told to 'correct' some innocent words before but I didn't know class was one of them!
2 people like this
@TheHorse (223030)
• Walnut Creek, California
11 Feb
My hunch is he is just being silly for its own sake. I have been known to do that. I was, and am, a pretty good student. I like learning new things. As you saw, if you read my post from this morning, I am trying to figure out how best to help my Country.
2 people like this
@much2say (57145)
• Los Angeles, California
14h
Oh yah, Karl is truly Mr. Silly. I can be that way too - but there is a time and place for that, as I often say. I think Karl stays at that senior facility all day, everyday. But my mom and I are only there for that class . . . so we best make the most of it. Yep - we all need to figure out how to best save our Country!!!
@Neil43 (3557)
12 Feb
As a learner, I study hard. I want get high marks aside from the learning I get. So, I really hate it when my learners tend to be lazy and want a high mark.
2 people like this
@much2say (57145)
• Los Angeles, California
14h
Surely it is frustrating for the teacher. You are there to teach seriously, and some students just want to play around. What is all that time and effort for . . . when students also need to put in that time and effort in order to "achieve".
@grenery8 (13051)
• Zagreb, Croatia (Hrvatska)
4 Feb
i would be like Karl too; too much talking would always go at my nerves. i'm glad you're enjoying these free classes
2 people like this
@much2say (57145)
• Los Angeles, California
6 Feb
Ha ha. Funny thing is if you see Karl outside of class, HE is the one too talks too much . Ah - you remembered - but it will be the next session that will be free . . . I think that starts end of this month .
2 people like this
@much2say (57145)
• Los Angeles, California
9 Feb
@grenery8 Actually, we never got a card or paper that says we officially get to take the next session for free . . . the woman only told us about it . . . but I hope they do not forget . Oh yes, that Karl guy keeps talking for sure . . . I think he likes exercising his mouth and vocal chords .
2 people like this
@grenery8 (13051)
• Zagreb, Croatia (Hrvatska)
6 Feb
@much2say we always have to wait on free things, typical o, karl. not liking others to talk but he's one big talker, also typical for that kind of people
2 people like this
@jstory07 (141712)
• Roseburg, Oregon
9 Feb
In high school I never liked to exercise in gym.
1 person likes this
@much2say (57145)
• Los Angeles, California
14h
I liked certain sports, but I didn't like to do certain things in "PE". It was boring - and I didn't like to dress for physical ed either.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (51359)
• United States
4 Feb
Karl may just be there for socialization.
2 people like this
@much2say (57145)
• Los Angeles, California
6 Feb
That's just what I think. I think he goes to that place every day and stays there all day . . . everyone seems to know him!
1 person likes this
@Fleura (31006)
• United Kingdom
4 Feb
Yes I imagine everyone is there with good intentions but nevertheless it's sometimes more comfortable to take the easy way out! I tried Tai Chi once but it was very slow, I finally realised that Tai Chi is basically a fixed sequence of movements that takes a lifetime to master, after a year we had progressed to maybe the third or fourth move. I'm afraid I just didn't have the patience to keep going!
2 people like this
@much2say (57145)
• Los Angeles, California
6 Feb
Karl would be that type of student who'd be raising his hands every 15 minutes to ask if he could go to the restroom or get a drink of water . Yep - it's low impact - very slow as you said. This Master focuses on a lot of warm up exercises - one lady told me it's more like Qigong, which is what I like. But honestly I don't care to do the forms . . . we only do them at the last 10 minutes of class. Most get confused - it's too much for them - but I just "copy" is all. I think this class will forever be stuck on the 8 form .
2 people like this
@lilacskies (2678)
• United States
9 Feb
I was a horrible student in school. Not a troublemaker, just not a hard worker.
2 people like this
@much2say (57145)
• Los Angeles, California
14h
Were there any subjects that you liked? Looking back, I feel like I could have worked harder - I just didn't.