At the end of a class at the British Tai Chi Chuan Association, green tea was available – to encourage the students to linger and chat – and my teacher would usually come in and mingle. I remember one occasion when a relatively fresh beginner was telling my teacher about all the wonderful workshops he'd attended and all the amazing teachers he'd studied with. Master Kells listened as graciously as he could and then said: "None of that really concerns me. All that concerns me is Can you turn your waist? And let me tell you, you can't."