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Coping in a Difficult Time

January 4, 2021 By Arlene Faulk

A new year brings hope and here we are in January, knowing we will slowly have more light in our days ahead. That’s a given with the rhythms of nature that we can count on. Even with a new year, we will still need to cope with the demands and stresses of each day. Uncertainty about the future still permeates our minds.

In the midst of all this uncertainty, I’m grateful for Tai Chi and for connecting online with my students each week these last ten months. With three weekly classes, we take the opportunity to greet each other, smile and move our energy together. We have the ancient wisdom of Tai Chi and its gentle, slow movements to help us reduce anxiety, promote balance and well-being.

Last week I asked my students to reflect on how Tai Chi has helped them cope with the isolation, devastating consequences of loved ones contracting COVID19, and other difficult days that we’ve been living through. I’m warmed by the wonderful comments they shared with me. Today and in future days, I’m going to share them with you. Whether or not you practice Tai Chi, hearing how others cope can be helpful and inspiring.

“As with so much else this year of 2020 I have mixed feelings about class via Zoom. I miss seeing everyone in person, but am extremely grateful that we can continue learning and practicing this way — and I don’t have to drive home after class.” – Irene

“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

“Doing Tai Chi has been a great comfort during the COVID pandemic. I always feel a sense of calm come over me when class starts and Arlene gently reminds us to bring out minds into the room and into our practice. As I’ve been doing Tai Chi for 6 years now, my body knows these slow movements and relishes the gentle release and centeredness they bring. In addition, 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

May each of us to find a way to have a few minutes of stillness to clear our heads, breathe and also find ways to connect with others. Thank you, Tai Chi friends, for helping me do that.

The Streets of Prague

November 13, 2019 By Arlene Faulk

Last month I walked the cobblestone streets and sidewalks of Prague. This charming city contains rich history, beautiful buildings and narrow, winding streets. The artistic streets and sidewalks, with intentional designs, captured my attention. I imagined the individual stones laid one at a time, with care and intention.

Knowing these uneven pathways might be challenging to navigate, I bought supportive walking shoes and a walking stick. I spent over an hour at REI looking at walking sticks, for hiking, climbing, skiing and walking. I bought one stick to use for helping me maintain balance and proper alignment as I walked around the streets of Prague. I practiced on flat sidewalks in Chicago before I left, working to create a steady cadence without having to look down.

As I told my Tai Chi students this week, I paid a lot of attention to walking, the process of shifting weight, picking up one foot and placing it firmly ahead. The experience was similar to our walking practice each week in class, meditative and satisfying. It kept me in the present moment. I stopped and looked down, at the various stone colors, shapes, size. I thought of how many steps have been covered over the centuries on these pavements. The past and present melded together. These streets and sidewalks could tell so many stories.

And they do. On various sidewalks near and in the historic Jewish area, small gold plaques with engraved names honor Jewish individuals whose last known residence was in this very location. Very moving and I took time to read their names and remember.

We learned so much history, including seeds of the Reformation in Prague as we walked for hours on the local sidewalks and streets. These pavements are the foundation for all the events and stories that have happened here. Taking time to literally feel the foundation beneath me. to be stable and grounded in each step helped me envision the past and be in the present.

Swiss Qi

October 23, 2019 By Arlene Faulk

Most of my October days have been traveling to Prague, Dresdem, Wittenberg and Eisenach, Germany and Switzerland. Cities, small towns, countryside were all part of the landscapes along the way. Right now I want to focus on Switzerland, the best air and life-force energy (Qi) I have ever experienced. The clear, clean air, beautiful blue skies, white snow-capped mountains and clear water all represent the best in feeling balanced, peaceful and still. I did not want to miss any of it and I reminded myself to pay attention and feel with all my senses the beauty and balance that surrounded us. Out on the green lawn of Chateau de Bossey, I slowly walked around, found a sturdy tree that appealed and started moving in the gentle flowing movements of Tai Chi. All seemed right with the world and with me. Silence, a few small birds in my sight and that was it. I was right where I was supposed to be.

The ancient Taoists talked about “returning to mountain”, a basic principle of Tai Chi. Those teachers took their students to the mountains to get away from daily life, to clear their heads. Even to this day, the mountains call us, to be still, to empty out our busy minds and just be. Learn to “just be” take in the Qi and be in awe.

Tai Chi Teaching 20 Years

September 5, 2019 By Arlene Faulk

Twenty years ago this month, 1999, I climbed the 14 steep stairs to the second floor of 1599 Maple Ave. to get my first peek of a newly opened holistic health care (the term used in the late ’90s). The newly painted walls, cozy waiting room and newly decorated treatment rooms were inviting patients and clients in for outstanding care. The big empty room around the corner from the waiting room called me in. This was the room in which I would launch my tai chi teaching on my own during the first week in October. Heartwood opens, September, 1999.

So many stories to tell. So many lives improved through the centuries-old, gentle tai chi movements. I feel so grateful for the wonderful people who have joined me in class on the path to improved health. Through this blog I have told some of their stories, heartwarming, inspiring and showing much courage.

So, right now I want to say ‘thank you’ to each of you this reaches, for your support, your determination and your not giving up as you move forward to live a healthy life. You have shown up. You continue to show up. You continue to enrich my life and teaching every single week. A big Tai Chi salute to you, all my students in Evanston and Chicago.

Enjoy some pictures from then and now.

Teaching Tai Chi: the early years

June 12, 2019 By Arlene Faulk

Heartwood Integrative Health and Healing in Evanston, Il. is celebrating 20 years of providing excellent health care to the community. This is a milestone to honor and celebrate. We have a great celebration planned for June 22, noon to four in Heartwood’s parking lot, 1818 Dempster. Do stop by, say hi, eat a taco if you are in the Evanston area.

For me this year is a double celebration — along with Heartwood, this is my 20th year teaching Tai Chi. I am an original at Heartwood, there since the beginning in 1999. As I reflect over the 20 years, I can’t help but think what I have learned, what I feel my contribution to integrative health and healing has been and continues to be.

One of the biggest things I have learned is that potential students are eager to learn. Even without knowing much about Tai Chi or how a class might enhance health, women and men come to class open to a new way of thinking, a new way of moving their bodies. They show up, take the first step. Recently, I thanked my students for showing up, sometimes getting in the car, driving in traffic, feeling tired and still, they show up. Often, students will say how glad they are that that they came, even when tired, because they feel so much better, have so much more energy by the end of class.

So many people know there are resources, classes, exercise routines that can help in improving health and feeling better. What is it in a person who says, “yes”? Some know that and don’t do anything about it. Others get out the door and start. . . and continue. . . and make Tai Chi or another energy practice part of their lifestyle.

I want to applaud each of you who took that first step and continue to show up. I thank you. Your body thanks you. Keep showing up!

I am sharing some photos of the early days of our Tai Chi classes at Heartwood, when it was located at 1599 Maple in Evanston.

Take a Moment for Breathing

May 12, 2019 By Arlene Faulk

During the past six weeks, I have been focusing on writing my elevator speech for my book, brainstorming possible titles with myself while looking at hundreds of book titles on the internet, writing a sample query letter to a literary agent and building up my social media posts. I attended a workshop on self-publishing vs. traditional publishing. So much to take in!

And that is only part of it — Tai Chi practices on YouTube filmed and produced by Paul Freedom at www.peaksunrise.com. My 12 minute Tai Chi video – https://youtu.be/lCQhGv521SE. This is the first of a series of short practices that can be done anywhere and any time. I can tell you from my own experience that these exercises are effective for relaxing, increasing balance and breathing. If possible, 10-12 minutes twice a day is a good way to incorporate Tai Chi into your day. Take a look, click on the “thumbs up” icon, and forward the link to others, particularly if you know someone who cannot get out of the house to go to a class. More to come. . .

This past week a professional photographer shot pictures during our Monday night class in Evanston. With my website/marketing consultant, I have been viewing the photos and selecting those I want to add for a fresh update on my website. They will be up soon!

Refreshing photos, tackling new endeavors can be invigorating, educational and challenging, too. I continually have to ask my niece and her teenagers for help on social media “how-tos”. YouTube has a video on how to do almost anything but I find that even those are sometimes more confusing than helpful.

In the midst of all this, I give myself the moments to just breathe, some moments to get up and do the Preparation and Beginning moves of my Tai Chi form. Ah, that helps me relax and focus. Are you taking a moment to breathe in your busy day. Maybe click on my YouTube link for just for a few minutes — Tai Chi Energy Ball Practice for Balance & Breathing — to find a little time for yourself.

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