Faulk TaiChi

Learn the beautiful, flowing movements for health and relaxation.

Almost Spring

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Exciting signs that spring is near — more sunlight in our days, little buds and leaves on the trees, a touch of warmer weather and lighter jackets on our backs. Yes, those of us who live in climates where winter seems to linger, anticipate and talk about the promise of spring. It is close at hand and we anticipate what is coming by paying attention when we’re outside by trees, near the soil with seedlings, listening to the joy of birds singing their springtime songs.

Scott Street, Chicago

In Tai Chi class we often visualize rooting our legs and feet like a tree, feeling the rich soil filled with nutrients and energy. Like the trees and plants, we bring that earth energy up through our bodies to nourish and refresh us. We let go of tension, relax. We connect with the natural flow of nature and the universe.

Taking time to watch the growth and blossoming of the trees, bushes and flowers start to show their colors is a good antidote to all the negative news and turmoil that keep trying to monopolize our attention. Put the phone away the minute before you walk out the door and while you’re outside, notice. . . every living thing around you. Smile and say hello as you pass someone on the sidewalk. Stop to look at the trees in your neighborhood. Maybe you can say hello to them, too. They will answer soon with a glorious display of bright green leaves, beautiful blossoms, and when we pay attention, bring a smile to our face.

Photos from Chicago, West Des Moines, and Wilmette

Spring Equinox

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This year the day of Spring Equinox was extra special. At the very hour when that point of equinox occurred, we were moving our energy in a Tai Chi class, focusing on balancing our Yin and Yang. We noted that bringing intention and attention to our balance at the moment of balance between of dark and light, felt so relaxing, put us so in the moment. A moment of letting go, a moment of lightness of being.

Tai Chi at Heartwood —- Evanston, Il 3/20/23

Without the dark, we can’t see the light. We honored that and also felt joy that it was evening and still light outside, admitted we were looking forward to longer minutes and hours of sunlight in our days.

This is a great time to focus on our balance, physical and emotional. Are our days filled with doing and achieving, and then wondering where the time went? Are we taking some time to stop, reflect and just be? Are we paying attention to the trees, the birds, noticing what’s around us in nature? And, are we breathing, taking time to intentionally breathe?

Focused and relaxed

Tai Chi gives us the opportunity to balance, to move our energy together and feel our Yin and Yang as equal energy forces. We are very grateful.

Ahhh . . .floating clouds

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Clouds in the sky. One of the most calming images in nature, these puffy clouds on a beautiful day.

It’s been such a busy time with details on my book, which will be published in late February. It seems that things are speeding up as we get closer to launch date.

To take a break and a breath, I decided to look at puffy, cumulus clouds floating through the sky. Only problem was it was cloudy outside, grey with heavy-hanging clouds, not the ones that I wanted to comfort me.

So, I went to my photos and stared at these clouds, very slowly in motion, yet seeming so still and calm. Looking at them right now makes me calm, makes me stop for a moment to connect with nature.

No wonder a move called “Waving Hands Like a Cloud” is part of many Tai Chi forms. When I do this move, I visualize myself like these clouds, still, relaxed with intent to just be right where they are supposed to be.

What in nature causes you to stop, be still and just be?

clouds
more clouds

something to look forward to

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I always feel better when I have something to look forward to. And that’s not been easy during the last 16 months when we’ve had to be cautious, stay our distance from other people, go out only when necessary. We have all had to find ways to cope with our individual situations and do our best we could. In the U.S. the situation has slowly been changing and now we can see relatives, friends whom we may not have seen for a very long time. A real hug feels so good, so reassuring. It makes us feel alive.

In speaking with numerous people I’m learning that many are struggling a bit with moving forward. They still feel very cautious, afraid of being around strangers. We need to practice patience, with ourselves and with others, to not judge because we don’t know what others are going through. The best thing for all of us is to be kind, patient and not judge others. We don’t walk in their shoes.

Tai Chi has been and continues to be helpful to me and my students. We intentionally move and breathe and empty out our minds of thoughts, to-dos, judgments. It’s a wonderful practice for centering and coping with difficult times and frustrating days. It helps us be kind with ourselves.

We need to continue with our centering practices and also plan something specific to look forward to, a visit with family out of town, a meal at a restaurant, starting to go to our health club to find our abs again. Planning a specific activity can lift our spirits, give us something fun to look forward to and yes, even cause us to take time to plan what outfit to wear.

I Love Trees

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trees
trees

I love trees, at any time of the year but particularly in the spring season. Trees remind us of the renewal and hope in life as bare limbs begin  to reveal buds and leaves. It’s happening now, the bright green new leaves make us stop and pay attention. These trees teach us to be flexible when the wind blows; stand  upright and be strong; be patient and steady in doing your work, drink water.

trees

My Tai Chi experience is deeply connected to trees  — rooting into the earth, bringing up earth energy . The Tai Chi Classics state that Tai Chi is rooted in the feet, transfers up through the legs, is commanded by the waist and flowers in the hands. I like to visualize my hands as the new leaves coming out in the spring. The energy is light, refreshing and purposeful. All of us can take advantage of nature, taking time to notice the new leaves and blossoms, marvel at the trees doing their thing as the temperatures warm and light during the day lengthens.

This week I’m intentionally taking slow walks, to move my body and also to stop by my city  trees, watch them do their magic, feel their energy. My hope is for all of us to take some time to pay attention and be grateful for the trees. When you’re looking at the tree, what do you notice? What do you feel?

flowers

Coping in a Difficult Time

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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.

Taste of Tai Chi class zoom

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.

tai chi movements

“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.