Tai Chi lessons Archives

The Tortoise and the Hare

June 27, 2019 By Arlene Faulk

What has been most memorable in your life over the last 20 years? Life events probably come to mind – birth of children or grandchildren, a graduation, a marriage or divorce, starting a new job, the death of a loved one, a great travel experience. . .

Given you are now thinking about the last 20 years, what have you learned? What do you know now that you did not know as your younger self?

I have been thinking a lot about these questions as I join colleagues in celebrating Heartwood Integrative Health and Healing’s 20th year and also celebrating my 20th year of teaching at Heartwood. I will begin with what Tai Chi has taught and continues to teach me, because Tai Chi has and continues to offer me so many valuable life lessons.

A BIG LESSON – The Tortoise Wins. The story of the tortoise and the hare, in Aesop’s Fables. The hare is boastful, laughing, telling all that a race with the tortoise is no match, because the tortoise is so slow. Not even thinkable that the tortoise would come close to winning a race between the two. And what happens? The tortoise with slow, steady, focused steps forward wins the race!

I love this story and what it teaches us, in a culture where speed is valued so highly. The tortoise is clear about its path, stays focused, is not deterred by distractions and reaches the goal line first. We do not have to be in a race although some of us are in one with ourselves, with long to-do lists, places to go, people to see, with not enough time.

The tortoise tells us there is enough time. We all have 24 hours in a day. With focus and slow, purposeful steps, we can move forward, or even better, we can be in the moment. Tai Chi is like that, our minds directing our energy in specific ways to be in the moment. Stresses of the day fade away as we shift our weight methodically, gracefully and with purpose.

I find with regular Tai Chi practice, I have more time. Slowing down, breathing, clearing the mind all promote increased energy for all i have to do and be.

What have I learned in 20 years that has enhanced my life? Take time to be like a tortoise. “Slow and steady” has advantages.

Walking on Ice

January 28, 2019 By Arlene Faulk

Walking – none of us can take it for granted when faced with snow, ice, sleet and slushy roads. We know we need to be careful on snow and ice, take it slowly so we do not fall. A Facebook posting, from Willow Tree Tai Chi in Australia, depicts the proper way to walk on ice. The picture and instructions are excellent — the first shows a man walking with his weight split between the front and back leg. The second shows focus on placing the front foot and leg down flat and then centering the weight firmly over that front leg. The center of gravity is right in the center and alignment of the entire body supports standing firm and upright. The post, with a little humor says the penguins have it right. They know how to walk properly on ice.

We practice walking in every Tai Chi class, focusing on the standing leg. We pick up our foot, place the heel down, then the foot, then shift weight to the standing leg. Then we follow with the other foot. We keep our feet and legs parallel, about hi–width apart, and practice, practice walking. This practice enhances our awareness of walking, helps us learn in our bodies where our weight and keeps proper alignment.

It is common to hear my students tell a story of how they prevented a fall, regained balance when going to the outside of a foot, because of their Tai Chi training and walking.

If you are one of my Tai Chi students, I know you are thinking about and practicing Tai Chi walking when you are outside on the ice and snow. If you are not a current student, take a minute or two to try focused walking inside so you get the hang of it. Practice helps us be more mindful when we are walking. It seems one of the biggest reasons we fall is that we are not thinking about our walking. Our mind is elsewhere, not in the present. On these cold, wintery, slippery days, let us promise ourselves to focus our attention on our walking.

Revisiting My 2018 Word

December 29, 2018 By Arlene Faulk

A year ago I chose a word I wanted to focus on and embody for 2018 – ROOTED. Some of my thoughts from my blog last December:

“ROOTED. I use this word often, even start all my Tai Chi classes with this word – ‘Bring yourself into the room. Feet parallel, hip-width apart, knees soft. Visualize your feet and legs like a tree, rooted deep into the earth. See if you can make the roots a little bit deeper.’

As we make our roots deeper and stronger below the earth, we will become more stable above the earth. Stable, centered, balanced, strong – isn’t that what we all would like to be and have every day? If I were not so involved with Tai Chi, I might have used the word “grounded.” That’s a good word, too, because it suggests a connection with the earth and being stable, both physically and mentally.

Being rooted allows the body to move in a coordinated way. The body moves as a unit, all parts synchronized, coordinated and relaxed. I aspire to that and know it is a process not an end, nor a static state. Being rooted allows the mind to relax and focus only on the moment.

I aspire to be rooted in my standing and in my walking. I aspire to be rooted in kindness and in giving what I can to help others improve health. I aspire to be mindful and focused on the moment so I can actively listen.”

How has it gone? What hits me is that being rooted is a process, not an arrival point. Some days my balance is better than others and Tai Chi helps me accept that is okay. Tai Chi helps me with stability, with focusing on right now, this moment. I need that reminder because it is so easy to get distracted and think about tomorrow, next week. Over the past 12 months, I have focused more on trees – I look at the trees, sometimes stop as I am walking to admire a tree. Trees have so many lessons to teach me. I continue my quest to be rooted like the tree. And have patience.

Several of you also chose a word to embody for 2018. Let me know your reflections about that word, now a year later.