I personally wear a hoodie, with sunglasses, in the beginning. Nobody ever bothered to approach me in the park. If someone does approach you, it can actually be a great advantage - you can learn something new, and it can be a great way to open discussion about Tai Chi! As far as weapons go, I've seen people practice on the beach on a weekday, when nobody's around. You shouldn't have any problems with a Tai Chi sword in the park - it's not even sharpened. And if the blade is flimsy and foldable, there's no way anybody can consider that a weapon, I guess??
Parks are great to train in on a good day of weather. The larger the park, the easier it is to get to a secluded spot. There were many, many instances when people approached. Most were for "the good". It was also a way to recruit. However, one situation we were sparring rather hard, and before we knew it, police were coming in from different angles. It was reported that we were having a gang-related brawl. After much observation and conversation, law enforcement realized it was a false alarm. They did advised us to discontinue for that day and find another spot later in time The foremost statement I can make for training in parks and bystanders approaching is: You are in a public place approachable by the curious public. Always be polite. Do not be condescending and listen to people, even if you think they may be incorrect. If they make you feel uncomfortable, politely excuse yourself as if you have some other place to be. If you are still uncomfortable with people approaching, change the routine per change the time and the spot. Last, you just may be approached by another teacher worthy of instructing you (I met one this way)
What is legal (and what is advisable) will vary a great deal from one part of the world to another. In the UK, practising weapons in public is very likely to result in a chat with the police. In other countries it might well be a different matter.
Police called after York man seen with long bladed knife... http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/111...r_Tai_Chi_man_spotted_with_long_bladed_knife/ POLICE raced to a York house this morning after reports of a man behaving suspiciously in the garden with what appeared to be a long bladed knife. But when officers got to the house in Cromwell Road, Bishophill, they found the man was practising Tai Chi, said a North Yorkshire Police spokesman. He added that the call had been made by a member of the public with good intent. :thinking:
This is the Dinosaur Caves Park, Shell Beach, CA that I train. Can't find better place to train than this park. http://vimeo.com/51623512
While we're sharing images of our parks At the top of the highest hill in the area - no better place for Tai Chi
When the summer sun is high, I used to train in this cave (at 0.01). [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SXyKVlUffo"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SXyKVlUffo[/ame]
