Faulk TaiChi

Learn the beautiful, flowing movements for health and relaxation.

Helen and The Professor

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It is common during any week to get phone calls and email messages inquiring about my Tai Chi classes. About two weeks ago, I received a call from Helen, who said she was in town for three weeks teaching at Mindrol Osel Ling.

“Can I come to your Tai Chi classes?” she asked.

“Sure,” I answered, followed up by explaining the three classes I have in Evanston, so she would know the level of experience in each class. As is customary for me, I asked if she had any Tai Chi experience.

“Yes, but it was a number of years ago.”

“I’m just curious. Where did you study and with whom?” I added, knowing I may or may not recognize the name.

Tai Chi's journey west

“Cheng Man-ch’ing in New York City.”

“Really?” I had to take it in, amazed at what she had just said. I was so surprised and excited at the same time. I am in his lineage, teach his Yang style short form. He was instrumental in bringing Tai Chi to the U.S., was a doctor, a calligrapher, a poet. I look up to him as his teaching, through my teachers, has been key to my healing. I honor him every time I teach.

Helen

Helen came to my Evanston classes last week on Monday and Tuesday. I asked if it would be ok to put her on the spot and tell us what it was like to be in his presence and to be a student of his. She told us her introduction to him was as a doctor in NYC Chinatown, and the Tai Chi came later. She was young, a struggling artist. She described his touch, when he read her pulses, as soft, almost like a velvet petal. In class, he stressed relaxation, using and feeling the Qi, directing it through the moves of the Tai Chi form. He exuded strength through softness.

Helen came to class again this week on Monday and Tuesday. I loved having her energy in the class. She has been gracious, giving and open. When I asked her how it felt to be moving through Cheng Man-ch’ing’s form, she said she felt it, really felt the Qi. She added that she needed to re-learn some of the moves, but that was secondary to relaxing and feeling the Qi.

Helen was and is an unexpected gift. I am grateful for her presence that somehow was meant to be. I wish her all the best Qi in her teaching during her retreat this weekend, Gentle Perseverance.

with Helen

Mary Neuhaus, Helen and me after Tai Chi class. I gave her the the picture she is holding, of Cheng Man-ch’ing with a quote from him:


“The most important reason to study Tai Chi is that when you finally reach the place where you understand what life is about, you’ll have some health to enjoy it.“

Celebrating 2018 Chinese New Year

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Judy

A very fun afternoon celebrating Chinese New Year, Year of the Dog at Heartwood in Evanston. Look at Judy’s t-shirt and how apt, because she she is a “dog”. Four of us attending the celebration this afternoon were “dogs”.

Tai Chi's journey west

We honored our Tai Chi and QiGong ancestors and teachers, particularly Cheng Man-ch’ing. He was instrumental in bringing Tai Chi to the U.S. and stressing relaxation in doing the form, push hands and sword. We viewed a wonderful documentary “the Professor: Tai Chi’s Journey West” about his integrating Tai Chi, poetry, calligraphy, Chinese Medicine into all his teaching.

tai chi class Evanston
tai chi classes

Michelle Bobier led us in some QiGong to move our energy together and Arlene and some students demonstrated part of Cheng Man-ch’ing’s Yang style 37 Form, the basic form we learn in both Evanston and Chicago classes.

What a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon, learning about Qi, relaxing with Tai Chi, improving walking through Tai Chi and all using our bodies in motion to create a room filled with good focus and intention.

Cheng Man-Ch'ing

We are grateful to Cheng Man-ch’ing and remember his saying, “The most important reason to study tai chi is that when you finally reach the place where you understand what life is about you’ll have some health to enjoy it.”