Heartwood Integrative Health and Healing in Evanston, Il. is celebrating 20 years of providing excellent health care to the community. This is a milestone to honor and celebrate. We have a great celebration planned for June 22, noon to four in Heartwood’s parking lot, 1818 Dempster. Do stop by, say hi, eat a taco if you are in the Evanston area.

For me this year is a double celebration — along with Heartwood, this is my 20th year teaching Tai Chi. I am an original at Heartwood, there since the beginning in 1999. As I reflect over the 20 years, I can’t help but think what I have learned, what I feel my contribution to integrative health and healing has been and continues to be.

One of the biggest things I have learned is that potential students are eager to learn. Even without knowing much about Tai Chi or how a class might enhance health, women and men come to class open to a new way of thinking, a new way of moving their bodies. They show up, take the first step. Recently, I thanked my students for showing up, sometimes getting in the car, driving in traffic, feeling tired and still, they show up. Often,  students will say how glad they are that that they came, even when tired, because they feel so much better, have so much more energy by the end of class.

So many people know there are resources, classes, exercise routines that can help in improving health and feeling better. What is it in a person who says, “yes”? Some know that and don’t do anything about it. Others get out the door and start. . . and continue. . . and make Tai Chi or another energy practice part of their lifestyle.

I want to applaud each of you who took that first step and continue to show up. I thank you. Your body thanks you. Keep showing up!

I am sharing some photos of the early days of our Tai Chi classes at Heartwood, when it was located at 1599 Maple in Evanston.