Faulk TaiChi

Learn the beautiful, flowing movements for health and relaxation.

Love Fall Colors

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Yellow, red and orange leaves captivate our attention. We stop on our walk to look. We drive on a Sunday afternoon to see nature’s vivid statement that autumn is here. Some of us visit New Hampshire or Vermont to see the leaves. They draw us there, to stop, look, admire and take photos.

The hours of daylight are decreasing; the temperatures are cooler so we put on our jackets. And many of the trees show us vividly that we are in the midst of change.

These photos are from northern Minnesota a few weeks ago, in the early stages of change. It is so calming to stare at the trees doing their thing. Good for the soul. They remind me of being a child in northern Illinois, when we raked leaves into big piles. I would run and jump into the pile scattering the leaves. Mom let my brother, sister and gather leaves with our little rakes. She made it fun and we loved it. And we learned to pay attention and admire the fall leaves.

Today it’s fun to stop and look because the trees and their leaves don’t disappoint.

Don’t forget the wildflowers, with their little purple or yellow flowers doing their thing. Stop. Pay attention. Enjoy the remarkable changes nature is offering us free. If we just look

Why Tai Chi – Why Now?

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Why not? Kids are returning to school. Summer outside activities are in full-swing but it won’t be long until we shift into an autumn mode and in many climates, more inside activities will predominate. Although decades have passed since I was that child looking forward to a new school year, so excited to shop for my school supplies, including paper, pencils, eraser and ruler (showing my age!), I still feel that anticipation of looking forward to starting the school year.

I hope as adults we can generate that excitement for ourselves, for new activities and new learning. It should never get old.

NOW is a good time. A good time to commit to new learning. A good time to bring nourishment to our bodies and clear out all the clutter and chatter in our heads. I’m partial to saying “now” to Tai Chi because I know first-hand how beneficial it is for relaxing, managing anxiety, chronic health conditions and improving balance.

Why Tai Chi now? Because putting off, saying ‘maybe later’ could easily lead to doing nothing at all. Gear up and say ‘yes’. You don’t need any equipment nor special clothing, just youself and an open mind. I have classes you can join now, or, if you aren’t physically close, look for a class or start with a YouTube video.

You can join these students who have said already said ‘yes’. Recommend a class to a friend or come together. I’d like to hear from you.

I’m making my plea for action because I’m in my 26th year of teaching Tai Chi and I’m passionate about Tai Chi. As a teacher I know the distance can be very long from saying you want to take a Tai Chi class and getting out the door to go to a class. So many people say they are interested in learning how to relax, do something positive for their health, take a class and don’t because something else comes up. Don’t let that be you.

Tai Chi – NOW is your time. NOW is our time.

Let’s Actively Welcome in Spring!

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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!

Be Like A Tree

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Trees reflect a special beauty and resilience in the winter. They stand tall, wear snow like a beautiful coat, glisten in the moonlight. They call out to us with silent majesty. We stop and notice. When we are present we pay attention and sometimes stop just to look.

In our first winter Tai Chi classes this week, I told students we would focus on being present, being in the moment. After busy holidays with lots of to-do lists, it’s time to let go, of busyness, of deadlines, of self-pressure, of always putting others first before ourselves. Be in the moment. Breathe. Move in gentle ways that relax. Breathe.

We start Tai Chi in a relaxed standing position, visualize our legs and feet like a tree, with roots deep in the earth, feeling the rich, nutritious soil, which nourishes and energizes us. Connecting that visual in our mind with the body helps us start to relax and be in the moment.

The trees look silent yet are active in the winter as they connect with their lifeblood, the soil and nutrients that feed them. Birds, squirrels and other little creatures find protection and rest in the trees.Trees are active and always pay attention to their roots.

In just a few minutes of class, all of us being like a tree changes all the energy in the room. The issues and thoughts we had coming into the room fade away. In these present moments we relax, stress decreases and we are energized.

During these winter days, even without leaves, stop to look and enjoy the beauty of the trees. Feel their good energy and take it in.

(photos from northern Minnesota, Twig and Sandstone)

Tai Chi with Friends in the Desert

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What a wonderful opportunity to spend time last week with 10 college friends in Palm Springs! These special women are sorority sisters and the bond of friendship spans over five decades. For me, going to a setting with consistent sunny skies, low 80s temperatures and an easy pace was just the calm energy that nourished my body and spirit.

My friends wanted to experience Tai Chi, which was music to my ears as I love to lead others in the graceful moves, calming, yet energizing practice of Tai Chi and QiGong. I could feel our energy soften, turn to the moment and there we connected through our breath and through visualizing our roots like a tree reaching deep into the earth. My friends loved the walk backward practice, keeping feet parallel, hip-width apart. I mentioned a talk I recently viewed on YouTube saying that walking backwards is an excellent practice from improving balance. Plus, I find it very relaxing and enjoyable.

Along with Tai Chi we had lots of good conversation and wonderful food. On Halloween night we went to Sammy G’s and most of us wore pink to honor Barbie.

View of Palm trees from terrace at Bongo Johnny’s

The deep blue sky, palm trees, mountains and sandy-colored ground and buildings were a great backdrop for surrounding us with beauty and happiness to be right where we were. We commented how wonderful it was to not be scheduled, to share fun stories and also life challenges. Friends are so important to our well-being and the best part — we laughed a lot. A LOT. That was the best of all.

Autumnal Equinox

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We’re at that time of year where we mark the day when we have equal amounts of light and darkness and then the hours of darkness will increase and dominate until March. Equinox signifies balance and I visualize that balance in the two small circles of the yin/yang symbol.

Faulk Tai Chi

The dark and light spaces symbolize energy moving, continuously and the space in circles represents “balance”. We see this symbol associated often with Tai Chi, because through the gentle moves of this ancient practice, we hope to increase our internal and external balance.

Our lives, following the patterns of the universe, include both dark and light aspects. We need to embrace the dark, contemplative, intuitive inward yin creativity as well as the more active, outward, physical yang. energy. This can be a challenge for those of us who want to accomplish, reach goals, keep active. Are you someone who’s little voice in your head continually tells you “so much to do, too little time?”

Visualize the clouds, the trees. They are an integral part of the rhythms of nature. We, too, can be part of nature’s rhythms, with attention and intention to working towards a balance of doing and being. What can you do, or stop doing to have more balance in your life?