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An “aha” Moment

May 9, 2016 By Arlene Faulk

Aha! It’s so much fun to have an “aha” moment, suddenly seeing or understanding something for the first time.

walking

In Tai Chi class, we repeat movements over and over again. That helps us relax, helps us feel where our weight is as we shift back and forth and to the side and helps our body start to remember the moves. Yes, we want our body to remember, not just our heads. We start with our mind and then hopefully, our body learns and takes over, helping to relax and empty out our minds. We feel better because our mind focuses on shifting weight and directing energy.

We start class by standing with feet parallel, hip-width apart. Knees are soft (not locked), in alignment with our ankles. Sound simple? It is not. I say this out loud in class, as a reminder. This past week a student asked when we were standing, then practicing our Tai Chi walk, keeping our feet parallel, with knees soft, if her knees should be soft. “Yes,” I replied. She said it just hit her that she locks her knees, in and outside of class.

“You say that in every class,” she said. “I wonder why I just now became aware that I often have my weight back on my heels. It makes my legs tired and sometimes hurts my knees.”

That was her “aha” for the day and it was a big one. It takes repetition, reminding, practicing to form a new habit that sticks. Standing and walking in a way that is healthy for our body is one of the most important habits we can learn. We laughed as the student said,” Oh, that’s what you’ve been talking about.” She laughed, too. We all enjoyed the “aha” of the day, because it was a good reminder for all of us.

qi calligraphy

Filed Under: Change, Mindfulness, Paying Attention, Tai Chi, Tai Chi Classes Tagged With: aha, alignment, new habits, standing in alignment

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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