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Learn the beautiful, flowing movements for health and relaxation.

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A Student’s Inspiring Tai Chi Experience

July 16, 2019 By Arlene Faulk Leave a Comment

Eileen is a great example of making Tai Chi a major part of her life experience. She shows up. She practices outside of class. She has received many benefits from her practice. Thanks, Eileen, for your example, your continuing commitment and sharing your good energy with all of us!

From Eileen:

LIFE MOVES

Eileen

I am in my 13th year of weekly tai chi classes with my instructor, Arlene Faulk. This amazes me, because it is far longer than anything I have ever pursued outside of a job. Arlene asked me recently what has changed over these years and my first, and really only, response is ME! I have changed. I have come to a level of comfort and confidence in my ability to do this physical thing, to learn the many steps of a complex process, and to have patience and enthusiasm to keep refining what I have learned.

tai chi master

I remember an experience after my first two years, when we were learning the Sun style. I had spent a miserable day stuck in O’Hare airport, then waiting at Boston Logan in noisy traffic for a country-bound bus. When I finally got to a small bus terminal in rural northern MA, I was five hours late, no one to meet me, everyone had left. I inhaled the fresh scent of the surrounding pines, absorbed the quiet of the evening, and started to do my tai chi moves. It was the most freeing experience! I realized that I knew enough to go through all the moves, no special clothes or shoes required. I could do this anywhere, any time — just me being me and moving in slow rhythm. That was when I fell in love with this ancient form of artful exercise. Since then, we learned the Wudang form, and more recently, Cheng Man-chi’ing’s Yang style short form, my favorite.

Now I am 13 years older, classmates have come and gone, and I so enjoy the five people with whom I have shared this experience in recent years. After a knee replacement, my balance isn’t perfect. On several occasions, I have started to trip and fall, only to right myself by planting my other foot “like the roots of a tree” as Arlene always encourages us to do. I stabilized and I have a firm faith that I will continue to do so.

What has not changed? Arlene has remained a constant leader and teacher, imparting her extensive knowledge, and encouraging us to breathe in peace and calmness as we experience this life force energy that surges through us all.

Filed Under: Arlene Faulk, Listening to our Body, Tai Chi, Tai Chi Classes Tagged With: commitment, practice pays off, showing up, tai chi benefits, tai chi stories

Tai Chi – One of the Best Exercises (and that’s not just me talking)

August 24, 2017 By Arlene Faulk Leave a Comment

Last week a shared article appeared on my Facebook page that really caught my attention. “The 5 Best Exercises for a Healthy Body” was the title, cited by longevitylive.com. The site mentions that these results are from a Harvard Medical School paper. Wanting to find the original source I went to the online Harvard Health Publications and there it was:

“5 of the best exercises you can ever do”

#1. Swimming

Faulk Tai Chi

#2. Tai Chi

Seeing this makes my heart sing. I know the benefits from personal experience. I see health improvements with my students weekly. I hear their stories. I know Tai Chi, with its gentle, flowing movements can help all ages.

Tai Chi Chicago Class

Harvard Medical School has conducted research on Tai Chi with positive results. Four years ago Harvard Health Publications published The Harvard Medical School Guide to Tai Chi. With such positive results in their studies, they are a good source to reinforce what many of us know about Tai Chi – with dedication and practice, we can enhance our health and quality of life.

The key is to find a class and teacher you like. And then, you have to stick with it. Creating healthy bodies takes dedication and it takes time. It is so worth the effort!!

Filed Under: Arlene Faulk, Energy, Listening to our Body, Tai Chi, Tai Chi Classes Tagged With: best exercises, dedication, Harvard Medical research, practice, tai chi benefits

A “Walking” Story

December 17, 2016 By Arlene Faulk Leave a Comment

Tai Chi Class Chicago

One of the best things about teaching Tai Chi is hearing stories from students about how Tai Chi enhances their daily living. Probably the most frequent comment I hear from new students, often after just two or three classes, is that they are sleeping better. Not that Tai Chi makes them sleepy, but rather that it helps them clear the chatter in their head and feel more relaxed.

Sometimes the stories are profound, like a recent story from a woman who has been a loyal student of mine for six or seven years. After trying to avoid surgery for a bad hip, the pain and nuisance became too great, so she had a hip replacement in October of this year. Just one week after a successful surgery, she said in an email to me, “it will be slow but I cannot tell you how much of a benefit Tai Chi has been in the recovery process, which is all about deconstructing walking to it components and putting it back together safely and and slowly — and then of course, balance. All remark how well I am doing and I know who to thank.” I would say it is not a person to thank but an ancient, wonderful practice called Tai Chi.

walking

In each of my classes, regardless of level, we practice walking, in proper alignment, focusing on the standing leg. In our daily lives if we think at all about our walking while we are doing it, we think of the forward leg, taking a step ahead, moving closer to our destination. We do the opposite in Tai Chi, focusing on rooting our standing leg like the trunk of a tree and then picking up our other foot and knee, taking a small step forward, placing the heel down, then pressing the center of the foot into the floor. It is only when we are fully present on the standing that we pick up the opposite foot.

Right now we deliberately focus our walking inside to be able to navigate the snow and icy sidewalks of winter. We focus on the moment, where we are right now, on our rooted, stable leg and not on where we are going. Regardless of where our starting point is, this Tai Chi walking practice can enhance our balance, help prevent falls and promote proper alignment.

This is a good thing, for all of us to focus on our walking while we are walking. It takes focus and concentration. And sometimes the stories about its positive effects are profound, as in recovery from hip replacement surgery.

Filed Under: Energy, Mindfulness, Paying Attention, Tai Chi, Tai Chi Classes Tagged With: balance, rehab through tai chi, tai chi benefits, walking practice

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 new 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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Tai Chi Class Calendar

October 2023

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
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  • Tai Chi Level II
    Tai Chi Level II
    Starts: 5:30 pm
    Ends: October 2, 2023 - 6:30 pm

    Location: Heartwood Center, 1818 Dempster St, Evanston, IL 60202, USA


    Description:

    Tai Chi class for experienced students (3+ years)

    More details...
•
3
  • Faulk Tai Chi Class
    Faulk Tai Chi Class
    Starts: 5:30 pm
    Ends: October 3, 2023 - 6:30 pm

    Location: Heartwood Center, 1818 Dempster St, Evanston, IL 60202, USA


    Description:

    Beginner’s Class - no experience needed

    More details...
•
4
5
  • Tai Chi Beginners
    Tai Chi Beginners
    Starts: 5:15 pm
    Ends: October 5, 2023 - 6:15 pm

    Location: Gratz Center at Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E Chestnut Street, Chicago


    Description:

    Online class for continuing students

    More details...
•
6
7
8
9
  • Tai Chi Level II
    Tai Chi Level II
    Starts: 5:30 pm
    Ends: October 9, 2023 - 6:30 pm

    Location: Heartwood Center, 1818 Dempster St, Evanston, IL 60202, USA


    Description:

    Tai Chi class for experienced students (3+ years)

    More details...
•
10
  • Faulk Tai Chi Class
    Faulk Tai Chi Class
    Starts: 5:30 pm
    Ends: October 10, 2023 - 6:30 pm

    Location: Heartwood Center, 1818 Dempster St, Evanston, IL 60202, USA


    Description:

    Beginner’s Class - no experience needed

    More details...
•
11
12
  • Tai Chi Beginners
    Tai Chi Beginners
    Starts: 5:15 pm
    Ends: October 12, 2023 - 6:15 pm

    Location: Gratz Center at Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E Chestnut Street, Chicago


    Description:

    Online class for continuing students

    More details...
•
13
14
15
16
  • Tai Chi Level II
    Tai Chi Level II
    Starts: 5:30 pm
    Ends: October 16, 2023 - 6:30 pm

    Location: Heartwood Center, 1818 Dempster St, Evanston, IL 60202, USA


    Description:

    Tai Chi class for experienced students (3+ years)

    More details...
•
17
  • Faulk Tai Chi Class
    Faulk Tai Chi Class
    Starts: 5:30 pm
    Ends: October 17, 2023 - 6:30 pm

    Location: Heartwood Center, 1818 Dempster St, Evanston, IL 60202, USA


    Description:

    Beginner’s Class - no experience needed

    More details...
•
18
19
  • Tai Chi Beginners
    Tai Chi Beginners
    Starts: 5:15 pm
    Ends: October 19, 2023 - 6:15 pm

    Location: Gratz Center at Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E Chestnut Street, Chicago


    Description:

    Online class for continuing students

    More details...
•
20
21
22
23
  • Tai Chi Level II
    Tai Chi Level II
    Starts: 5:30 pm
    Ends: October 23, 2023 - 6:30 pm

    Location: Heartwood Center, 1818 Dempster St, Evanston, IL 60202, USA


    Description:

    Tai Chi class for experienced students (3+ years)

    More details...
•
24
  • Faulk Tai Chi Class
    Faulk Tai Chi Class
    Starts: 5:30 pm
    Ends: October 24, 2023 - 6:30 pm

    Location: Heartwood Center, 1818 Dempster St, Evanston, IL 60202, USA


    Description:

    Beginner’s Class - no experience needed

    More details...
•
25
26
  • Tai Chi Beginners
    Tai Chi Beginners
    Starts: 5:15 pm
    Ends: October 26, 2023 - 6:15 pm

    Location: Gratz Center at Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E Chestnut Street, Chicago


    Description:

    Online class for continuing students

    More details...
•
27
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30
  • Tai Chi Level II
    Tai Chi Level II
    Starts: 5:30 pm
    Ends: October 30, 2023 - 6:30 pm

    Location: Heartwood Center, 1818 Dempster St, Evanston, IL 60202, USA


    Description:

    Tai Chi class for experienced students (3+ years)

    More details...
•
31
  • Faulk Tai Chi Class
    Faulk Tai Chi Class
    Starts: 5:30 pm
    Ends: October 31, 2023 - 6:30 pm

    Location: Heartwood Center, 1818 Dempster St, Evanston, IL 60202, USA


    Description:

    Beginner’s Class - no experience needed

    More details...
•
20 Years Faulk Tai Chi

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