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“Letting Go”

April 3, 2016 By Arlene Faulk Leave a Comment

Gulfport

“Letting Go” has been a recurring theme that I’ve written about on my blog.

I told the story of my learning that ‘relaxing’ is not something to add to what we need to do. It asks of us to let go of something we are already doing. Then we can start to relax.

Sometimes “letting go” requires establishing a new habit before we can get rid of the old.

“Letting go” often includes an emotional attachment to something or someone and on the surface we might not even be aware that it exists. We have to become aware before we can start to “let go”.

Tai Chi is about “letting go”, focusing on the moment so our mind empties out and we can start to relax as we intentionally shift our weight.

tai chi move

Recently, it occurred to me that “letting go” of something I immensely enjoyed, has opened new horizons for me. First, after five wonderful years teaching a Tai Chi class for seniors, the sponsoring organization decided not to continue with the class. It was a scheduling and location problem. After four stimulating and fun years of teaching high school students Tai Chi, I decided not to continue. The commute was long and I found that I was using 4-5 hours of my time, twice a week for a class of 45-minutes length. It was hard to let that one go, but I did. I recommended an outstanding teacher who is working out very well. And I still continue to teach Tai Chi classes that I love.

I am so excited! Currently I am working diligently on a book. Many people have encouraged me to tell my story of remarkable healing and transformation. They tell me I could inspire and motivate a wide audience. So I’m doing it, meeting with my writing coach weekly, writing scenes, getting feedback, writing more, reading more. . .

I am also in the midst of completely revising and updating my website, making it mobile friendly, simplifying, adding all new photos. This is fun.

Both my writing coach and website designer have Tai Chi experience, understand and feel the energy and have had me as a teacher. They both get me. What a plus!

Stay tuned for updates on my book writing progress. Stay tuned for announcement of my new website.

“Letting go”, as in my case, may be letting go of something you enjoy, maybe even love. It has to happen to make space for a new thing to appear.

Filed Under: Arlene Faulk, Change, Energy, Paying Attention, Tai Chi, Tai Chi Classes Tagged With: creating space, letting go, relaxing

Starting to Relax and Let Go

April 15, 2015 By Arlene Faulk Leave a Comment

“Bring your attention into the room, focusing on your body, standing here, right now. Feet are hip-width apart, with knees soft (not locked).” That’s usually how I start my Tai Chi classes, sometimes adding, “be aware you are breathing, naturally.”

tai chi master

Slowing down and starting to relax can be a challenge for many of us. Learning what ‘relaxed’ means in our body can take time and come in tiny increments. I remember an ‘ah-ha’ moment for myself in Rancho La Perta, Tecate, Mexico a few years ago. The teacher said relaxing is not something we need to do or add. It’s letting go of something we’re already doing.

Letting go is a life-long journey. We have so many things we want to hang on to – family responsibilities, job deadlines, worry about money, concerns about health, wondering what others will think, etc. Our go-to response is to try harder, do more, push ourselves more and more.

When we start to let go, particularly on expectations for ourselves, we not only start to relax, but also create more space for the things and people that are important in our lives.

Even with Tai Chi we can put pressure on ourselves, to learn and remember moves, to keep up with others in the class, to feel like we’ve accomplished something. A different thought — come into class thinking “I’m going to enjoy myself; I’m going to go with the flow. I’m going to just ‘be’ for now.”

t'ai chi ch'uan

“Letting go is a basic, if not THE basic principle of T’ai-Chi-Ch’uan. it is said that a student’s progress is determined by how much he is willing to let go of — tension, emotional programming, fear, thinking, defensiveness, etc. The natural being is already powerful and wise. You must let go of your interference with the body’s power and wisdom.”
~ Bob Klein, Movements of Magic, The Spirit of T’ai-Chi-Ch’uan.

How might you start letting go?

Filed Under: Energy, Inner Balance, Listening to our Body, Tai Chi Tagged With: allow, body wisdom, creating space, journey, letting go, relax

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 new 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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Tai Chi Class Calendar

October 2023

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
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2
  • Tai Chi Level II
    Tai Chi Level II
    Starts: 5:30 pm
    Ends: October 2, 2023 - 6:30 pm

    Location: Heartwood Center, 1818 Dempster St, Evanston, IL 60202, USA


    Description:

    Tai Chi class for experienced students (3+ years)

    More details...
•
3
  • Faulk Tai Chi Class
    Faulk Tai Chi Class
    Starts: 5:30 pm
    Ends: October 3, 2023 - 6:30 pm

    Location: Heartwood Center, 1818 Dempster St, Evanston, IL 60202, USA


    Description:

    Beginner’s Class - no experience needed

    More details...
•
4
5
  • Tai Chi Beginners
    Tai Chi Beginners
    Starts: 5:15 pm
    Ends: October 5, 2023 - 6:15 pm

    Location: Gratz Center at Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E Chestnut Street, Chicago


    Description:

    Online class for continuing students

    More details...
•
6
7
8
9
  • Tai Chi Level II
    Tai Chi Level II
    Starts: 5:30 pm
    Ends: October 9, 2023 - 6:30 pm

    Location: Heartwood Center, 1818 Dempster St, Evanston, IL 60202, USA


    Description:

    Tai Chi class for experienced students (3+ years)

    More details...
•
10
  • Faulk Tai Chi Class
    Faulk Tai Chi Class
    Starts: 5:30 pm
    Ends: October 10, 2023 - 6:30 pm

    Location: Heartwood Center, 1818 Dempster St, Evanston, IL 60202, USA


    Description:

    Beginner’s Class - no experience needed

    More details...
•
11
12
  • Tai Chi Beginners
    Tai Chi Beginners
    Starts: 5:15 pm
    Ends: October 12, 2023 - 6:15 pm

    Location: Gratz Center at Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E Chestnut Street, Chicago


    Description:

    Online class for continuing students

    More details...
•
13
14
15
16
  • Tai Chi Level II
    Tai Chi Level II
    Starts: 5:30 pm
    Ends: October 16, 2023 - 6:30 pm

    Location: Heartwood Center, 1818 Dempster St, Evanston, IL 60202, USA


    Description:

    Tai Chi class for experienced students (3+ years)

    More details...
•
17
  • Faulk Tai Chi Class
    Faulk Tai Chi Class
    Starts: 5:30 pm
    Ends: October 17, 2023 - 6:30 pm

    Location: Heartwood Center, 1818 Dempster St, Evanston, IL 60202, USA


    Description:

    Beginner’s Class - no experience needed

    More details...
•
18
19
  • Tai Chi Beginners
    Tai Chi Beginners
    Starts: 5:15 pm
    Ends: October 19, 2023 - 6:15 pm

    Location: Gratz Center at Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E Chestnut Street, Chicago


    Description:

    Online class for continuing students

    More details...
•
20
21
22
23
  • Tai Chi Level II
    Tai Chi Level II
    Starts: 5:30 pm
    Ends: October 23, 2023 - 6:30 pm

    Location: Heartwood Center, 1818 Dempster St, Evanston, IL 60202, USA


    Description:

    Tai Chi class for experienced students (3+ years)

    More details...
•
24
  • Faulk Tai Chi Class
    Faulk Tai Chi Class
    Starts: 5:30 pm
    Ends: October 24, 2023 - 6:30 pm

    Location: Heartwood Center, 1818 Dempster St, Evanston, IL 60202, USA


    Description:

    Beginner’s Class - no experience needed

    More details...
•
25
26
  • Tai Chi Beginners
    Tai Chi Beginners
    Starts: 5:15 pm
    Ends: October 26, 2023 - 6:15 pm

    Location: Gratz Center at Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E Chestnut Street, Chicago


    Description:

    Online class for continuing students

    More details...
•
27
28
29
30
  • Tai Chi Level II
    Tai Chi Level II
    Starts: 5:30 pm
    Ends: October 30, 2023 - 6:30 pm

    Location: Heartwood Center, 1818 Dempster St, Evanston, IL 60202, USA


    Description:

    Tai Chi class for experienced students (3+ years)

    More details...
•
31
  • Faulk Tai Chi Class
    Faulk Tai Chi Class
    Starts: 5:30 pm
    Ends: October 31, 2023 - 6:30 pm

    Location: Heartwood Center, 1818 Dempster St, Evanston, IL 60202, USA


    Description:

    Beginner’s Class - no experience needed

    More details...
•
20 Years Faulk Tai Chi

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