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A Student’s Epiphany

August 23, 2018 By Arlene Faulk

The best part of teaching Tai Chi occurs when a student has an “a-ha” that resonates deeply. Recently Julia told me about her “epiphany” and I asked her if I could share it with you. I am moved by her experience and I hope you will be, too.

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“Arlene, I wanted to share with you that I’ve had an epiphany about the form that I feel has changed my connection to it and given me food for thought. Often, after our class, as I’m going to bed, I read a little bit in the Paul Cavel book on tai chi principles because having the class fresh in my mind helps me to connect to the principles that he talks about. This week I was reading the part where he talks about the flow of yin/yang through the form and the concepts of “close/open” – how you soften/gather to close and stretch/release to open. He uses roll back and press as the example. As you know, I’ve mentioned connecting to that feeling before at that part, I love the “softening” feeling of the transition to roll back, then the rolling back and pressing forward. All of a sudden it hit me that the whole form has that dynamic – it’s a whole string of softening (gathering) and stretching (releasing). I actually jumped out of bed to go through part of the form with this new insight! I see now that I don’t have to wait for that feeling at roll back and press, I can access it throughout the whole form (work towards accessing it).

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There is something so beautiful and moving to me about that aspect. That you soften/gather and then stretch/release, over and over. And that it was there all the time in the form but I never saw it. And how life is like that too.

But I never would have connected with that from just reading a book. It’s the process of us going through the form over and over. And maybe you’ve even said it but I didn’t “hear it” as often happens. Feeling it internally had to catch up with the brain.

So thank you, Arlene, I’m really enjoying this process and look forward to whatever other epiphanies await.”

Julia

Thanks for sharing, Julia. This is beautiful.

Filed Under: Energy, Listening to our Body, Paying Attention, Tai Chi, Tai Chi Classes, YinYang Tagged With: close-open, soften-gather, string of pearls, tai chi form, tai chi prinicples

Arlene Faulk

Arlene Faulk

After a years-long struggle to understand and conceal debilitating symptoms while I ascended the corporate ladder, I found comfort and healing through Tai Chi and Chinese Medicine.

My memoir, Walking on Pins and Needles, is the story about the power to control our lives and move in the direction of possibility. Read more...

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FROM TAI CHI STUDENTS

Tai Chi makes me feel calm, yet energized. Because of my practice, the small irritants of life affect me less.

Tai Chi student

I had back surgery, was in pain and had little range of motion. Tai Chi practice at Heartwood has helped me increase flexibility, my range of motion and my overall stamina.

Tai Chi student

Arlene teaches the Tai Chi form in such a gentle and connected way that many movements now feel utterly natural and healing.

Tai Chi student

I've even shared some of the exercises with my bike club to help reduce injuries. They really work!

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I've always been a klutz and have regularly lost my balance and fallen when walking outside. Arlene taught me how to stand and walk properly through Tai Chi. I really can't believe it: I haven't fallen in four years since I've been taking Tai Chi with Arlene!

Tai Chi student

I love Arlene's Tai Chi classes. She helps us understand not only what we're doing, but also why we're doing it. That really helps me take what I learn in class and apply it to my daily life.

Tai Chi student

I'm really inspired by what Tai Chi has done for Arlene. She is a great teacher, who is calm and very patient. She has really helped me not to be so hard on myself.

Tai Chi student

I play golf and had a lesson after school, on the same day we had Tai Chi class. My coach commented, 'Your posture is amazing and all of the balance issues that we have been fighting for so long seem to have just taken a vacation.' I mentioned to him that I thought it was due to Tai Chi.

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Tai Chi relaxes your entire body and promotes peace and proper breathing. The more I manage to breathe properly while doing any activity in my life, I generally tend to do a lot better at it. I benefited from Tai Chi because it managed to help me with my breathing skills even more.

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Tai Chi really gives my body strength to put up with the pains of my breast cancer and back problems. Tai Chi is 'sneaky'. You don't think it's helping, but eventually you realize it's helping you.

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For me, Tai Chi brings comfort and quiet amidst all the chaos and change.

Becky, Tai Chi student

In just a few months, the practice has become perhaps the most nurturing element in my life during COVID times, when sustaining a commitment to anything else has been challenging.

Barb, Tai Chi student

The community Tai Chi has provided has been a gift. With so much we can now do whenever we wish --- with an app, YouTube video, or streaming service --- meeting weekly (via zoom) in real time, live, to practice Tai Chi creates true community.

David, Tai Chi student

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, Tai Chi student

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, Tai Chi student

I love the walking practice because it helps me slow down and focus only on the moment.

Tai Chi student

Tai Chi has made me aware of how I’m standing and where my weight is. My balance is improving.

Tai Chi student

I hear Arlene saying to listen to my body and only do what I can do. That helps me relax.

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