Faulk TaiChi

Learn the beautiful, flowing movements for health and relaxation.

Almost Spring

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Exciting signs that spring is near — more sunlight in our days, little buds and leaves on the trees, a touch of warmer weather and lighter jackets on our backs. Yes, those of us who live in climates where winter seems to linger, anticipate and talk about the promise of spring. It is close at hand and we anticipate what is coming by paying attention when we’re outside by trees, near the soil with seedlings, listening to the joy of birds singing their springtime songs.

Scott Street, Chicago

In Tai Chi class we often visualize rooting our legs and feet like a tree, feeling the rich soil filled with nutrients and energy. Like the trees and plants, we bring that earth energy up through our bodies to nourish and refresh us. We let go of tension, relax. We connect with the natural flow of nature and the universe.

Taking time to watch the growth and blossoming of the trees, bushes and flowers start to show their colors is a good antidote to all the negative news and turmoil that keep trying to monopolize our attention. Put the phone away the minute before you walk out the door and while you’re outside, notice. . . every living thing around you. Smile and say hello as you pass someone on the sidewalk. Stop to look at the trees in your neighborhood. Maybe you can say hello to them, too. They will answer soon with a glorious display of bright green leaves, beautiful blossoms, and when we pay attention, bring a smile to our face.

Photos from Chicago, West Des Moines, and Wilmette

Rooted Like a Tree

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tree

When outside this morning, I stared at tree after tree. Although a few of the early spring trees have some blossoms or buds that will turn into leaves, others until the last few days continued to look like lingering winter. Bare branches.

Until today. Today is blossoming into a full color screen, like in the “Wizard of Oz”. Green is everywhere. The trees are signaling that spring is finally here in the midwest. I love this time of year. When the trees start to generate their spring leaves, the green is light and bright, glistening from the sunshine. And like clockwork, trees are dependable. From their roots deep into the earth, they ready themselves to spring out in their glory. They always do.They always come through.

Tai Chi in the park, China

In Tai Chi we learn to root ourselves like a tree.The deeper our roots go, the more stable and balanced we are as we stand on the earth. That earth energy comes up through our feet and circulates throughout our body. At this time of year I always think of one of the fundamental principles in the Tai Chi Classics:

“The internal energy, Qi, roots in the feet,
Transfers through the legs,
Is controlled from the waist,
And blossoms through the arms and fingertips.”

Like the trees. Pay attention today to the trees. Admire their steadiness, their blossoming and their lessons for each of us — Be stable, balanced and dependable.

Filling Up, Emptying Out

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March is the month when we really start thinking about the spring season. Yes, this month marks the calendar beginning of spring, although in Chicago, it  feels like spring one day and winter the next. We have had a cloudy, snowy and rainy start to spring this year, so right now we’re thinking about the season rather than experiencing it.

Just like making resolutions for January to start a new year, we plan cleaning out — closets, papers, broken appliances — to have our homes feel neat and clean for March and April. Good for those of us who actually take the time to empty out closets, catch-all drawers and give away or throw away.

We have to be intentional for this to work. We may set a specific goal and timeline to accomplish this. We may say our intention out loud, to increase our motivation and resolve. We know ourselves and what would light a little fire under us to actually take action.

Tai Chi can be like cleaning out a closet; a closet is a metaphor for our entire life. Too often, we take on more and more, in our life that if already full. We get overwhelmed, are frustrated, have trouble sleeping and can never cross off enough items on our ‘to do’ list.

In class we use breathing, breathing in — filling up, then breathing out — emptying out. Very slow, very focused. It helps to clear our mind and stop long enough to refresh and create capacity to take new things in. Intentional walking, which we practice in every Tai Chi class focuses on the same principle. Place 100% of your weight on one leg (filling up); allowing for 0% on the other so you can take a step (emptying out). Fill up (Yang) and empty out (Yin). We need both to feel some balance in our days and in our entire life.

Taking a Tai Chi class can help us cultivate a pattern and habit of these helpful practices. However, everybody can breathe with intention and walk with intention, wherever you are. What a great way to welcome spring into our lives — breathe and walk.