Faulk TaiChi

Learn the beautiful, flowing movements for health and relaxation.

  • Home
  • Tai Chi Classes
    • Beginning Tai Chi
    • Tai Chi Class Schedule
    • Locations
    • Arlene’s Approach
    • Testimonials
    • Showing Up
  • About Tai Chi
    • About QiGong
    • Faulk Tai Chi Gallery
  • About Arlene Faulk
  • News & Video
  • Blog
  • Register

Winter Solstice

December 21, 2022 By Arlene Faulk

Today we experience the most hours and minutes of darkness of any day in the year, a day when the sun is at its lowest point. From the Essene Book of Days — “The ancient people used this time of ‘longest night’ to focus on the power of darkness. Not the negative image of darkness, but the richness of that unknown, dark, fertile, deep part in each of us wherein our intuitive, creative forces abide. In modern times, it is a time for owning one’s shadow, so as to transform any negative energy associated with it into the energy of creation and psychic ability. We must accept and know our Darkness before we can fully know the Light.”

city lights
stars

This is a Yin time of year, a time for reflection, a time to look inward. Many spiritual and religious traditions acknowledge the darkness, asking followers to embrace the darkness, because in doing so, we will be ready for the light to come. The light WILL come. May we have confidence in knowing that this day, Winter Solstice teaches us that we need to follow the seasons and natural flow of nature. We need the yin of darkness and yang of light to create balance our lives.

For those of us embracing Tai Chi energy and movement, we follow the yin and yang of nature and work to create internal and external balance by embracing the light and darkness of our energies.

Filed Under: Changing Seasons, Darkness, Winter Solstice Tagged With: longest night, power of darkness, winter solstice

Winter Solstice

December 20, 2018 By Arlene Faulk

stars

Here we are in the day of shortest daylight of the year, winter solstice. In the northern hemisphere we are at the farthest point from the sun. Some of us celebrate this day, a time to reflect on the darkness, on our shadows waiting for the light to return. Some of us don’t like it at all and just say it won’t be long until we have more minutes of daylight.

sunset

I noticed this year, and we mentioned it in Tai Chi classes this week, that the publicity this year seems to be on this day being special, unusual, a day to really pay attention and look up into the sky. Why look up? Because this solstice is going to include a full moon and meteor shower. Both are worth looking into the sky to catch a glimpse. These phenomena are filled with light, a full, bright moon, a shower of light flashes from the meteor shower, the light we are longing for. Maybe it will be cloudy and I will look up to see darkness or outlines of clouds. Even if that is the case, I feel some excitement about the cycles of nature that cause me to be still, look up, get outside of myself.

So, if you live in a place where the sky is clear and the sun has set, look up. Note that the winter solstice is here and you might see something spectacular. Paying attention, attuning ourselves with nature rhythms may produce a few moments of “wonder”.

Filed Under: Changing Seasons, Darkness, Light, Paying Attention, Winter Solstice Tagged With: longest night, rhythms of nature, wonder

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...

FOLLOW ARLENE FAULK

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Phone
  • YouTube
Register for Chicago Tai Chi Class

“A LIFE-AFFIRMING STORY”

Walking on Pins and Needles

My book Walking on Pins and Needles: A Memoir of Chronic Resilience in the Face of Multiple Sclerosis is available in paperback & e-book.

Buy Your Copy Today!

Awarded a Top Tai Chi Blogger

Top Tai Chi Blog

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

Newsletter

GET TAI CHI TIPS, NEWS

Subscribe for weekly inspiration!



25 Years Faulk Tai Chi

Copyright © 2025 Arlene Faulk, Faulk Tai Chi, Chicago, Evanston, IL   |   312-642-0722   |   Website by Grotto Communications