Faulk TaiChi

Learn the beautiful, flowing movements for health and relaxation.

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Arlene’s Approach

Arlene Faulk Tai Chi

My classes have two parts, which are interrelated. We start with Qi Gong health exercises to help you bring attention and intention to the breath and your internal energy movement.

First, we focus on alignment, creating awareness of how we are standing and moving, shoulders relaxed, chest open and lifted. We intentionally shift weight, learning to know and feel where our weight is right now:

  • 50/50, weight equally distributed on each leg;
  • 100/0, weight fully on one leg with no weight on the other leg;
  • and 70/30, 70% of our weight forward on one leg, with 30% on the back leg.
Arlene Faulk Tai Chi

In addition, we practice walking, forward and backward. I re-learned to walk using the Tai Chi walking practice I teach in my current classes. With very challenged balance, favoring one leg and having a weak, unstable right ankle, I used this practice, with my hand against the wall, to regain my ability to walk. Not only am I grateful for sticking with this practice myself, I also have seen over my teaching years that it can improve everybody’s walking and alignment, regardless of starting point.

My philosophy is to help students learn what they are doing and why they are doing it. Focusing on both the actual moves and principles underlying them, helps students incorporate them into daily life.

The second part of my class focuses on learning and refining a Tai Chi form, with pre-determined movements developed by Tai Chi masters, that help to balance yin and yang. All principles in the first part of class play prominently in this second part. The form provides a framework and sequence of movement to relax, access the Qi and circulate it through the body. Above all, students use this framework to practice easily during the week and enjoy all the benefits the movements provide for enhancing good health.

Experience Arlene’s approach to Tai Chi for yourself. Call 312-642-0722 or use our Contact form to get information about upcoming classes.

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 new 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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Walking on Pins and Needles

My book Walking on Pins and Needles: A Memoir of Chronic Resilience in the Face of Multiple Sclerosis, out now!

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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.

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

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Tai Chi Class Calendar

June 2023

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
1
  • Tai Chi Beginners
    Tai Chi Beginners
    Starts: 5:15 pm
    Ends: June 1, 2023 - 6:15 pm

    Location: Gratz Center at Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E Chestnut Street, Chicago


    Description:

    Online class for continuing students

    More details...
•
2
3
4
5
  • Tai Chi Level II
    Tai Chi Level II
    Starts: 5:30 pm
    Ends: June 5, 2023 - 6:30 pm

    Location: Heartwood Center, 1818 Dempster St, Evanston, IL 60202, USA


    Description:

    Tai Chi class for experienced students (3+ years)

    More details...
•
6
  • Faulk Tai Chi Class
    Faulk Tai Chi Class
    Starts: 5:30 pm
    Ends: June 6, 2023 - 6:30 pm

    Location: Heartwood Center, 1818 Dempster St, Evanston, IL 60202, USA


    Description:

    Beginner’s Class - no experience needed

    More details...
•
7
8
  • Tai Chi Beginners
    Tai Chi Beginners
    Starts: 5:15 pm
    Ends: June 8, 2023 - 6:15 pm

    Location: Gratz Center at Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E Chestnut Street, Chicago


    Description:

    Online class for continuing students

    More details...
•
9
10
11
12
  • Tai Chi Level II
    Tai Chi Level II
    Starts: 5:30 pm
    Ends: June 12, 2023 - 6:30 pm

    Location: Heartwood Center, 1818 Dempster St, Evanston, IL 60202, USA


    Description:

    Tai Chi class for experienced students (3+ years)

    More details...
•
13
  • Faulk Tai Chi Class
    Faulk Tai Chi Class
    Starts: 5:30 pm
    Ends: June 13, 2023 - 6:30 pm

    Location: Heartwood Center, 1818 Dempster St, Evanston, IL 60202, USA


    Description:

    Beginner’s Class - no experience needed

    More details...
•
14
15
  • Tai Chi Beginners
    Tai Chi Beginners
    Starts: 5:15 pm
    Ends: June 15, 2023 - 6:15 pm

    Location: Gratz Center at Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E Chestnut Street, Chicago


    Description:

    Online class for continuing students

    More details...
•
16
17
18
19
  • Tai Chi Level II
    Tai Chi Level II
    Starts: 5:30 pm
    Ends: June 19, 2023 - 6:30 pm

    Location: Heartwood Center, 1818 Dempster St, Evanston, IL 60202, USA


    Description:

    Tai Chi class for experienced students (3+ years)

    More details...
•
20
  • Faulk Tai Chi Class
    Faulk Tai Chi Class
    Starts: 5:30 pm
    Ends: June 20, 2023 - 6:30 pm

    Location: Heartwood Center, 1818 Dempster St, Evanston, IL 60202, USA


    Description:

    Beginner’s Class - no experience needed

    More details...
•
21
22
  • Tai Chi Beginners
    Tai Chi Beginners
    Starts: 5:15 pm
    Ends: June 22, 2023 - 6:15 pm

    Location: Gratz Center at Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E Chestnut Street, Chicago


    Description:

    Online class for continuing students

    More details...
•
23
24
25
26
  • Tai Chi Level II
    Tai Chi Level II
    Starts: 5:30 pm
    Ends: June 26, 2023 - 6:30 pm

    Location: Heartwood Center, 1818 Dempster St, Evanston, IL 60202, USA


    Description:

    Tai Chi class for experienced students (3+ years)

    More details...
•
27
  • Faulk Tai Chi Class
    Faulk Tai Chi Class
    Starts: 5:30 pm
    Ends: June 27, 2023 - 6:30 pm

    Location: Heartwood Center, 1818 Dempster St, Evanston, IL 60202, USA


    Description:

    Beginner’s Class - no experience needed

    More details...
•
28
29
  • Tai Chi Beginners
    Tai Chi Beginners
    Starts: 5:15 pm
    Ends: June 29, 2023 - 6:15 pm

    Location: Gratz Center at Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E Chestnut Street, Chicago


    Description:

    Online class for continuing students

    More details...
•
30
20 Years Faulk Tai Chi

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