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“Slanted Fly” Makes My Day

March 20, 2016 By Arlene Faulk

In two of my Tai Chi classes we are working on a move called ‘slanted fly’. It’s the movement that directly follows a series of ‘repulse monkeys’. Next we will work on ‘waving hands like a cloud’ or ‘cloud hands’ for short.

sandhaill crane
Clip Art snake

For many Tai Chi students these names will sound familiar. According to mythical lore, a 15th century Taoist priest, Zhang Shanfeng, was observing a crane and snake fighting. While the snake was slow and earthbound, it was every bit the crane’s match. The priest realized that coldness (the snake) could overcome hotness (the crane). Based on his discovery, he devised physical movements that sought harmony between seeming opposites of fast and slow, hard and soft, hot and cold. Thus the movements that encompass Tai Chi were born.

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You get the idea and the picture. Many movements in Tai Chi are named after animals, birds, mountains, clouds and other phenomena of nature. Nature is always moving to be in harmony and balance. Nature doesn’t “strive”, “try harder”, “set goals”, “worry”. I like the passage in the Tao Te Ching that says “The world is ruled by letting things take their course. It cannot be ruled by interfering.”

“It will make my day to say I’m starting to get ‘slanted fly’. It’s ok if my family doesn’t know what I’m talking about”, one student remarked. “What they say is I’m calmer, more relaxed and fun to be around the days I do Tai Chi.”

Right. We can’t worry when we’re shifting our weight into ‘slanted fly’. We can’t think about anything else. We focus only on yielding in ‘repulse monkey’. The stress, the worries of the day melt away. In fact, one student mentioned this week that she could feel the stress release and pour out of her body during class.

Do you have a ‘slanted fly’ that makes your day?

Filed Under: Energy, Tai Chi, Tai Chi Classes, YinYang Tagged With: letting go, reducing stress, repulse monkey, slanted fly

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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