Faulk TaiChi

Learn the beautiful, flowing movements for health and relaxation.

  • Home
  • Tai Chi Classes
    • Beginning Tai Chi
    • Tai Chi Class Schedule
    • Locations
    • Arlene’s Approach
    • Testimonials
    • Showing Up
  • About Tai Chi
    • About QiGong
    • Faulk Tai Chi Gallery
  • About Arlene Faulk
  • News & Video
  • Blog
  • Register

Our Mind Directs our Energy

February 5, 2012 By Arlene Faulk

Where the mind goes, the energy will follow.  The mind, Yi, directs the Qi.  The early Chinese Tai Chi masters knew this when they developed the relaxing, flowing movements of Tai Chi.

Any stress or anxiety we feel starts in our head. Our mind races. We loose focus. We can’t make decisions. With our mind in a scattered state, it moves to negatively affect our body. We can’t sleep. We eat too much or hardly at all. Our heart races. We have pounding headaches. We are tired and weary. We just don’t feel good.

Tai Chi can be so helpful for managing this stress in a very positive way. We learn to take anxiety in our restless mind and quiet it, focusing on the moment.  We do that by giving full attention to specific movements of our body, methodically shifting our weight, flowing from one position into another. Our mind quiets down and our body starts to relax. We experience gentle, continuous movement that puts no pressure or stress on the joints, ligaments or muscles. A relaxed body aids in relaxing the mind; a relaxed mind aids in relaxing the body.

Yi directs the Qi — a key principle of Tai Chi. You can experience this in helpful, healthy ways. My Tai Chi class awaits you.

Feel free to share

Filed Under: Paying Attention

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...

FOLLOW ARLENE FAULK

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Phone
  • YouTube
Register for Chicago Tai Chi Class

“A LIFE-AFFIRMING STORY”

Walking on Pins and Needles

My book Walking on Pins and Needles: A Memoir of Chronic Resilience in the Face of Multiple Sclerosis is available in paperback & e-book.

Buy Your Copy Today!

Awarded a Top Tai Chi Blogger

Top Tai Chi Blog

FROM TAI CHI STUDENTS

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

Tai Chi student

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.

Tai Chi student

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

Tai Chi student

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

Tai Chi student

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!

Tai Chi student

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.

Tai Chi student

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.

Tai Chi student

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.

Tai Chi student

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.

Tai Chi student

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.

Tai Chi student

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.

Tai Chi student

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

Tai Chi student

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

Tai Chi student

Newsletter

GET TAI CHI TIPS, NEWS

Subscribe for weekly inspiration!



25 Years Faulk Tai Chi

Copyright © 2026 Arlene Faulk, Faulk Tai Chi, Chicago, Evanston, IL   |   312-642-0722   |   Website by Grotto Communications