Faulk TaiChi

Learn the beautiful, flowing movements for health and relaxation.

Listen to Your Body

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yin yang symbol in China

When I first went to an acupuncturist healer, most of what she said was unfamiliar to me. She talked about energy blockage, energy deficiency and excess. She talked about Qi, the life-force energy that gives us life. She talked about channels and organ systems.

Why did I go in the first place? My neurologist had said matter-of-factly, after being his MS patient for many years, “There is nothing more I can do for you.” I still felt overwhelming fatigue. My balance was terrible. My right leg and ankle were weak. And, the main reason I went to this healer was because a great friend had received so much help from her. This healer came highly recommended.

Through persistence, hard work, trust and working closely with my healer, my life has been transformed. She recommended Tai Chi which I embraced and have been practicing for over 20 years. Tai Chi has been instrumental in that transformation.

I stepped out of my comfort zone, jumped into the unknown without knowing exactly what I was doing. And, I followed the advice of my Tai Chi teachers and healers — listen to your body and do only what you can do. Do only what you can do.

Over my 18 years as a Tai Chi teacher, I often tell new students that I have two overall expectations:

  1. Try to keep your attention in the room as much as possible.
  2. Do only what you can do. I have learned how hard it is for some adults in my classes to pay attention to what they are comfortable doing with and in their bodies. They want do what the teacher does. They want to do what they think other students are doing. They want to keep up.

I have learned that my students who listen to their bodies and do what they can do receive benefits of Tai Chi more than those who do not. So, I will continue to suggest and gently guide using that wisdom which was so helpful for me.

tai chi class

Are you listening to your body and only doing what you can do? Or are you pushing yourself beyond that point? Take some time to listen today and be kind to yourself.

Summer Solstice – Mix a little yin with the yang

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flowers

Summer Solstice, the day of longest sunlight, represents the most yang time of the year. Lots of activity – vacations, walking along the beach after dinner, outside cookouts and picnics, summer softball leagues, concerts under the stars. Bright colors abound — red, pink, yellow and purple flowers; green, red and orange vegetables appearing in the garden and at farmers’ markets; bright green leaves adorning the trees; sailboats float out on Lake Michigan.

For some of us in seasonal climates, it’s been a long wait through winter and a cool, damp spring. We’ve been anticipating, wanting the sunlight, the warmth, the outdoor activities we love in summer. So here we are, doing our best to take advantage of this time, outdoors within our days of longer sunlight.

Let’s take a lesson from Tai Chi, where we desire to relax, empty out and balance our yang and yin. Be in the moment. Use a little yin energy to stop and pay attention.

Take time for a long breath. Stop and look around at the glorious colors of nature and their fullness Sit and meditate on the river. Walk barefoot in the grass. Play catch outside with your son or daughter. Savor the smells coming from the grill. Sit in your lawn chair and watch the sunset. Because you can.

Lake Michigan from front window

Observe. Taste. Smell. Hear. You may be in awe of what happens.