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Embracing Darkness

December 4, 2014 By Arlene Faulk

On the first Thursday of each month, practitioners and teachers of the Heartwood Center gather for a community meeting. Over the last few months members have presented a case study and it’s often a person for whom there has been collaboration by two or more practitioners/teachers.

As we sat in a circle this morning, Nancy Floy began by asking us to be still for a few moments, to go to a place of stillness that we all have.

sky

“It’s the most yin time of year, with less daylight and more darkness. Embrace the darkness and find in it the spaciousness and stillness,” Nancy said. She added that with the busyness of preparing for upcoming holidays, we don’t often stop to be still, look inside. The darkness, coolness, dampness call us to do that.

After three to four minutes of stillness, we began to listen, to discuss. I felt awake and ready to listen. I felt a calm, expectant energy in the room.

After presenting the case study situation, a psychotherapist, massage therapist, reiki practitioner, acupuncturist, psychiatrist, chiropractor and others commented on what they could or would offer to help this individual. With each comment, we learned more about the individual practitioners do and the summation was a very holistic treatment approach for the person being discussed. Very enlightening and I was warmed by the level of professionalism and expertise in the room and the unbelievable caring from each person.

As we finished our discussion, Nancy asked us to collectively do one more thing.

“This is not just a case study we been focusing on. She’s a person. She’s a mother, daughter, a person with feelings. Let’s be quiet and celebrate her breakthroughs and her progress because she has had to focus so much on problems and what she can’t do,” Nancy said. We sat silently for about three minutes, focusing our collective good energy and compassion on this woman.

Take time to embrace the spaciousness and stillness of darkness. Give collective compassion.

With so much fear and danger and negative darkness in our world news, it’s so encouraging to know and experience that ‘darkness’ can be so positive when we embrace it with hopefulness, caring and compassion.

How honored I felt to be part of that energy this morning.

Filed Under: Darkness, Energy, Facing Problems, Mindfulness Tagged With: compassion, stillness, yin

A Special Tai Chi Experience

July 8, 2014 By Arlene Faulk

Faulk Tai Chi

Normally at this time on a Tuesday I’m preparing for my afternoon/evening classes. This Tuesday I’m steeped in Tai Chi, being taught by 5 Grandmasters, one representing each family style of the modern Tai Chi era (1600’s forward).

This international symposium attracted Tai Chi practitioners and teachers from all over the world. I don’t know all countries represented, but I know people from Australia, France, Italy, Romania, Greece, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, and Canada are here. Obvious, the U.S. is well-represented and there are many people from China here, too.

What a unique opportunity to be in the presence of these teachers, all in one place at the same time. We’re focusing on the commonalities among the various styles, those qualities that promote health, harmony and a way for us to show and live compassion, for ourselves and for others.

I’m very grateful to be part of this experience. More to come in upcoming posts. . .

Filed Under: Arlene Faulk, Inner Balance, Listening to our Body, Mindfulness, Paying Attention, Tai Chi, Tai Chi Classes, Tai Chi in China Tagged With: compassion, Grandmasters share, new learning, world tai chi event

“Never Cease to Learn”

June 30, 2012 By Arlene Faulk

More reflections from my Tai Chi workshop in Olive Branch, Mississippi:

“Anyone who teaches may never cease to learn,” Dr. Paul Lam said in the midst of the week. At that time, I was loving being a student, soaking in the knowledge and experience the teachers were sharing. My major responsibility was to be attentive, to be an eager student. Not a teacher.

Learning new things has and continues to be very appealing to me. The old adage that the more you know, the more you know what you don’t know rings truer every year. And, in this workshop I wanted new insights about the principles of Tai Chi and I wanted to learn a new Yang style form, the 24, which I’ve wanted to learn for a number of years. I wasn’t focused on being a teacher in that moment, but Dr. Lam’s comment caused  me to stop and think. Many of us are teachers and have the honor of teaching Tai Chi, acknowledging great respect for the masters who shared their wisdom over the centuries in their families, and more recently outside of their families to the general public.

I love learning, and as a teacher, greatly enjoy learning from my students. I can honestly say that I learn something new in every class I teach. I gain insights on students’ learning, interpreting words, watching movements, all in different ways. Preparing for a class, for a private session, for a demonstration, for a workshop, requires thinking, researching, talking with other teachers — learning from a variety of sources. And the best is to watch students, listen to their questions and comments during class and sometimes before/after a class. The student’s brain cells, the body’s reaction are in motion, along with the teacher’s.

It occurs to me that students can be great teachers for the teacher and in some respects we are all teachers, even if it’s not an official title. Mothers, fathers, and other family members are teachers; children teach their parents and guardians; office managers teach us; friends teach us.

The key, I think, to be a good teacher is to have an open mind, an attitude of compassion and learning. Teachers may have experience, knowledge and skills to impart, but it’s not a one-way street. The students in our classes, in our homes, on the basketball court, in the retirement homes all have something to teach us. Let us be willing to consider many who intersect in our lives as teachers and “never cease to learn.”

Filed Under: Listening to our Body, Tai Chi Classes Tagged With: compassion, listening, openness, teachers

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!

Tai Chi student

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.

Tai Chi student

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.

Tai Chi student

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.

Tai Chi student

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.

Tai Chi student

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