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Remembering

February 28, 2014 By Arlene Faulk

Tai Chi form

It’s been a tough few days. We lost Lori Helfand and Barbara White, two wonderful women with generous and kind spirits. Lori and Barb were dedicated to Tai Chi, to living their best lives, to exploring new adventures, to giving of themselves, to caring about others.

Through their example of determination, courage and positive attitudes, they remind us of the importance of living each day as fully as we can. They teach us the importance of finding balance in life, taking time to work on the health of our bodies and minds.

We honor Lori and Barb, for their energy among us and for all whose lives they so lovingly touched. We will miss them. We will keep their spirit with us and remember them fondly, every time we gather in our wonderful classroom for Tai Chi.

Faulk Tai Chi class students

Filed Under: Change, Mindfulness, Paying Attention, Tai Chi Classes Tagged With: determination, loss, remembering, spirit

Moving Energy Together

May 6, 2013 By Arlene Faulk

On Saturday, April 27,  thousands of people across 70 countries, brought attention and intention to their breathing. It was World Tai Chi & QiGong Day, when at 10 a.m. in every time zone individuals brought intentional breathing to spread peace across the world.  Some of my Tai Chi students stopped to remember and breathe in their living rooms and some remembered when walking down the street. I took the opportunity to take a Tai Chi class planned for the morning, to be with others who would be doing Tai Chi, sending collective breath and movement throughout the world.

The next afternoon I co-led a Tai Chi workshop with Chris Cinnamon from Enso Tai Chi in Chicago. We invited our students to join us in an afternoon of moving our Qi (life-force energy), reinforcing underlying principles of Tai Chi and learning new moves from both Tai Chi and QiGong forms. The spirit in the room was calm, yet very alive. The spirit of the students was eager, but not anxious. The openness was everywhere, in everyone.

For a recap of that experience, check out Chris Cinnamon’s blog: www.chicagotaichi.org/blog

With both of these experiences, I was reminded of the power of Tai Chi and QiGong for reducing stress and anxiety, for promoting balance, for managing chronic conditions. I could go on and on. I was reminded of the amazing knowledge and wisdom of Chinese masters who so skillfully developed these movements that have the potential to heal and change lives profoundly. I was reminded that even in a classroom of people moving together, the experience is essentially an individual one. Each person starts with wherever her or his body and mind are and goes from there. The collective movement of energy serves to enhance the individual’s quality of daily life.

I think quality of our life depends, in part, on taking time to slow down, to be present, to breathe, and to be open to healthy ways of moving our bodies and clearing our minds. . . and to be passionate about something that says ‘yes’ to life. Tai Chi is one of those ‘somethings’.

Filed Under: Breathwork, Listening to our Body, Mindfulness, Qi Gong, Tai Chi, Tai Chi Classes Tagged With: balance, eagerness, expectant, mindfulness, movement, spirit

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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25 Years Faulk Tai Chi

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