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High School Students Discover Their Energy

December 5, 2012 By Arlene Faulk

Last week I taught two Tai Chi workshops for the Health Science Rotation students at Evanston Township High School. These juniors and seniors have indicated interest in learning about various health care modalities — they have both classes and site visits to expand their knowledge on everything from hospitals and medical clinics to complementary medicines and healing practices, such as Chinese Medicine, imagery, Yoga and Tai Chi.

I spent the first few minutes on the rich history of Tai Chi and how it is influenced by and related to Taoism, Yin/Yang theory, the IChing and the principles of Chinese Medicine. We spent most of our time experiencing Tai Chi, paying attention to where we were standing in the room, shifting our weight and breathing.  About 25 minutes of moving, the energy of the class started to settle, be centered. Ah, a sense of calmness started to fill the room.

“What’s our energy like?” one girl asked. “Is it positive? Is it negative?”

“You have such positive and big energy, as a group”, I responded. “When you came into the room, some of you had your energy bouncing off the walls, very scattered. Some of you had low energy, and sat or laid down on the floor before class started. You didn’t want to get up.”

“Now you’re smiling, you’re moving in a very deliberate way. Do you feel it?,” I added.

Many nodded. Some said yes out loud.

What a nice moment for them. We took time to focus, on our energy, on lessening stress and pressure, which most were feeling. My hope is for those young, energetic students to have some more moments like that. They deserve it. We all do.

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Filed Under: Breathwork, Change, Listening to our Body, Mindfulness, Paying Attention, Qi Gong, Tai Chi Tagged With: focus, high school students, youth energy

Arlene Faulk

Arlene Faulk

After a years-long struggle to understand and conceal debilitating symptoms while I ascended the corporate ladder, I found comfort and healing through Tai Chi and Chinese Medicine.

My memoir, Walking on Pins and Needles, is the story about the power to control our lives and move in the direction of possibility. Read more...

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FROM TAI CHI STUDENTS

Tai Chi makes me feel calm, yet energized. Because of my practice, the small irritants of life affect me less.

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I had back surgery, was in pain and had little range of motion. Tai Chi practice at Heartwood has helped me increase flexibility, my range of motion and my overall stamina.

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Arlene teaches the Tai Chi form in such a gentle and connected way that many movements now feel utterly natural and healing.

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I've even shared some of the exercises with my bike club to help reduce injuries. They really work!

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I've always been a klutz and have regularly lost my balance and fallen when walking outside. Arlene taught me how to stand and walk properly through Tai Chi. I really can't believe it: I haven't fallen in four years since I've been taking Tai Chi with Arlene!

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I love Arlene's Tai Chi classes. She helps us understand not only what we're doing, but also why we're doing it. That really helps me take what I learn in class and apply it to my daily life.

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I'm really inspired by what Tai Chi has done for Arlene. She is a great teacher, who is calm and very patient. She has really helped me not to be so hard on myself.

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I play golf and had a lesson after school, on the same day we had Tai Chi class. My coach commented, 'Your posture is amazing and all of the balance issues that we have been fighting for so long seem to have just taken a vacation.' I mentioned to him that I thought it was due to Tai Chi.

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Tai Chi relaxes your entire body and promotes peace and proper breathing. The more I manage to breathe properly while doing any activity in my life, I generally tend to do a lot better at it. I benefited from Tai Chi because it managed to help me with my breathing skills even more.

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Tai Chi really gives my body strength to put up with the pains of my breast cancer and back problems. Tai Chi is 'sneaky'. You don't think it's helping, but eventually you realize it's helping you.

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For me, Tai Chi brings comfort and quiet amidst all the chaos and change.

Becky, Tai Chi student

In just a few months, the practice has become perhaps the most nurturing element in my life during COVID times, when sustaining a commitment to anything else has been challenging.

Barb, Tai Chi student

The community Tai Chi has provided has been a gift. With so much we can now do whenever we wish --- with an app, YouTube video, or streaming service --- meeting weekly (via zoom) in real time, live, to practice Tai Chi creates true community.

David, Tai Chi student

I really enjoy our time together and I've found Tai Chi a great way to "keep moving," not only during this pandemic but also as a regular practice with a wonderful integration of mind, body and spirit.

Martha, Tai Chi student

Tuning into the class and seeing familiar faces of the other students brings a nice sense of community and connection during this time of separation and isolation.

Julia, Tai Chi student

I love the walking practice because it helps me slow down and focus only on the moment.

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Tai Chi has made me aware of how I’m standing and where my weight is. My balance is improving.

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I hear Arlene saying to listen to my body and only do what I can do. That helps me relax.

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