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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.

walking

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.

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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.

Filed Under: Mindfulness, Paying Attention, Tai Chi Tagged With: body alignment, penguins, practice walking, Tai Chi lessons, Tai Chi practice, walking on ice, Willow Tree Tai Chi

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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Tai Chi makes me feel calm, yet energized. Because of my practice, the small irritants of life affect me less.

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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.

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Arlene teaches the Tai Chi form in such a gentle and connected way that many movements now feel utterly natural and healing.

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I've even shared some of the exercises with my bike club to help reduce injuries. They really work!

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Tai Chi has made me aware of how I’m standing and where my weight is. My balance is improving.

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I hear Arlene saying to listen to my body and only do what I can do. That helps me relax.

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