Lesson for the Day
By Arlene Faulk
World Tai Chi & QiGong Day
A lovely worldwide tradition occurs on the last Saturday in April — celebrating Tai Chi and QiGong across the world. “One World, One Breath” calls us to breathe and send our calm energy to others.
Get ready to participate — the energy wave starts at 10am on Saturday in Australia and travels across every time zone in the world. At 10 am on Saturday, April 26, stop what you are doing and focus on breathing. Focus your breathing and send its life and good energy across the world connecting with others who are doing the same thing. We can send calm and create unity with others who are in the moment, breathing, perhaps doing some Tai Chi and QiGong moves.
Let’s connect with our breath and our focus of sending calm energy across every time zone. Participate. I look forward to receiving your energy!!
Let’s Actively Welcome in Spring!
This is an exciting time for most of us – more light in our days, warmer weather and a spring break holiday for some. Spring Equinox is the point in the year when we have equal times of daylight and darkness. And then the hours of light will predominate and the hours of darkness will lessen. Outside activities will increase and often we feel like we have renewed energy.
In Tai Chi class this week, I emphasized paying attention to the trees. We start class by centering ourselves, rooting our feet into the earth, connecting with the rich nutrients and energy the soil provides. Let’s all think of the trees that now have bare branches. The internal part of the tree is very busy preparing for new birth, which will soon be evident in new leaves, starting as buds and growing into their fullness.
Look at the spaces between the branches. Energy is flowing. Birds are returning to sit on those branches, their home. Those spaces will soon be filled with new leaves, new life, new promise that spring brings to the trees and to all of us. Are you ready to pay attention.
Look for the buds to sprout, the beginning of new life and renewal. Then as sure as anything we can count on in life, the trees will not disappoint. They will bloom in glory with green leaves. Be there. Say thank you and enjoy!
Celebrating Year of the Wood Snake
People born in the Year of Snake are said to be resilient and courageous with strong interpersonal skills and leadership qualities. The wood element adds a layer of growth and creativity, because just as the Snake sheds its skin, this year represents the opportunity to renew oneself, embrace new possibilities and leave behind outdated ways.
What a fun, energizing afternoon Tai Chi students and friends had as we gathered on February 2 to celebrate the Lunar New Year. Come with us and feel our positive energy reach out to you.
We began by centering and cultivating positive energy with Michelle Bobier.
Letting go of our to-do lists we focused on standing in good alignment, breathing and stretching, moving our energy to enhance our physical and mental well-being. Ahhh. . .
Sarah Bernauer lead us in a discussion of opening chakras to enhance energy flow. We moved gently to feel the energy come up through our feet into our center and upper body. The image resonated because in Tai Chi we root our feet like a tree into the earth and bring up the nutrients and rich energy the earth provides.
Daniel Thatcher continued leading our energy movement with fundamental principles of Tai Chi — proper body alignment, methodically shifting our weight with intention, moving from our waist and hips rather than the upper body,
relaxing our knees as we stand with our weight equally distributed on our two legs. Look how centered and relaxed everyone is, focusing entirely on the moment and breathing.
In “The Movements of Magic – The Spirit of Tai Chi Ch’uan,” Bob Klein says: “Often in life, we are so caught up in concentrating on the past and future that we miss the present. And truly, the present is all that exists for us. We may think about the past or imagine the future but we can actually deal only with the present. In the present we have power.”
What a wonderful way to celebrate the 2025 Lunar New Year, breathing and moving in the present, being mindful of the moment.
A big thank you to Daniel, Sarah and Michelle!
Be Like Bamboo
Our calendars have turned to a new year and we might be looking for some optimism, something to look forward to that will nourish our lives. The daily news hits us hard with natural disasters, ongoing wars, bird flu, and on and on.
I’ve been thinking about what I can do to make a difference, even in small ways, to positively impact my friends, family, my Tai Chi students and all those with whom I might interact. Maybe adopt a word for the year like kindness, patience, smile, listen. All good traits for us to share with people every day. Taking time to make a phone call, send a text, write a note, smile at a neighbor. Slowing down. Taking time for others.
However, I desire to have something to aspire to and it hit me in a flash, what that something could be. Bamboo. Be more like bamboo. Let’s consider together at that might look like.
Bamboo is a symbol for longevity. It always shows strength and grace, bends but does not break easily, is very versatile and flexible. It is a rapidly renewable resource. In Chinese philosophy, the straight stem of bamboo symbolized the path towards enlightenment, the segments of the stem being the steps along the way.
This artist’s painting of bamboo, shows the graceful nature of bamboo with its leaves a work of art, sprouting out from the stalks. The insides of bamboo are hollow, yet it can withstand rain and snow and grow with great vigor.
The uses of bamboo are numerous, from food for the pandas to creating paper from its pulp, to making furniture, flooring, clothing, bedding, fences, baskets and more. It’s versatility and flexibility are admirable.
So I want to be more like bamboo in 2025. Won’t you join me?
Celebrating 25 Years!
Wow, it’s amazing to be celebrating my 25th year of teaching Tai Chi! It is an honor and so humbling to teach a centuries-old practice that has transformed my life, helped me re-learn to walk, feel balance and stability and has been the main influence for getting off medications I took regularly in my 30’s and 40’s.
I’ve been so inspired by stories of many students, who, with courage and determination have managed pain, arthritis, stroke recovery, anxiety and stress, etc. through Tai Chi practice, coming to class when it wasn’t easy.
Here’s a class in 2003 where the quiet energy and being in the moment come right through the stillness of the photo.
This photo is in the first Heartwood location on Maple and Davis, across from Bennison’s Bakery, (2004, I think)
Tai Chi class at Heartwood on Dempster, around 2012, upstairs in what is now the Shrine Room. Our regular classes were in that room before we moved to the Skylight Room.
Chicago class in 2015 or 2016, dedicated students who shared great Tai Chi energy together at our class in the Fourth Presbyterian Church.
August, 25, 2024 — Celebrating 25 years in Evanston park at Lake and Chicago
After Tai Chi, a wonderful lunch at Chinese restaurant, Peppercorns, in downtown Evanston
At Peppercorns with Nancy Floy, Founder and Co-Director of Heartwood and Larry Akey, Director of Meditation Programs.
Thanks to Nancy for her vision, for bringing Heartwood to life and for leading me to Tai Chi. For all the individuals in these photos and for all others whose lives have crossed with mine through Tai Chi, our energy continues to connect across the miles. It’s a privilege to teach and share Tai Chi with you.
I’d love to hear your comments and memories of Tai Chi and how it’s positively impacted your life.