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Take a Moment for Breathing

May 12, 2019 By Arlene Faulk Leave a Comment

writing

During the past six weeks, I have been focusing on writing my elevator speech for my book, brainstorming possible titles with myself while looking at hundreds of book titles on the internet, writing a sample query letter to a literary agent and building up my social media posts. I attended a workshop on self-publishing vs. traditional publishing. So much to take in!

Arlene Faulk

And that is only part of it — Tai Chi practices on YouTube filmed and produced by Paul Freedom at www.peaksunrise.com. My 12 minute Tai Chi video – https://youtu.be/lCQhGv521SE. This is the first of a series of short practices that can be done anywhere and any time. I can tell you from my own experience that these exercises are effective for relaxing, increasing balance and breathing. If possible, 10-12 minutes twice a day is a good way to incorporate Tai Chi into your day. Take a look, click on the “thumbs up” icon, and forward the link to others, particularly if you know someone who cannot get out of the house to go to a class. More to come. . .

taking a photo

This past week a professional photographer shot pictures during our Monday night class in Evanston. With my website/marketing consultant, I have been viewing the photos and selecting those I want to add for a fresh update on my website. They will be up soon!

Refreshing photos, tackling new endeavors can be invigorating, educational and challenging, too. I continually have to ask my niece and her teenagers for help on social media “how-tos”. YouTube has a video on how to do almost anything but I find that even those are sometimes more confusing than helpful.

In the midst of all this, I give myself the moments to just breathe, some moments to get up and do the Preparation and Beginning moves of my Tai Chi form. Ah, that helps me relax and focus. Are you taking a moment to breathe in your busy day. Maybe click on my YouTube link for just for a few minutes — Tai Chi Energy Ball Practice for Balance & Breathing — to find a little time for yourself.

Filed Under: Arlene Faulk, Breathwork, Inner Balance, Mindfulness, Tai Chi, Tai Chi Classes Tagged With: author's life, memoir writing, paul freedom, peak sunrise, tai chi practices on YouTube, writing

Wisdom from Chen WangTing

June 2, 2018 By Arlene Faulk 4 Comments

yin yang

I have spent much of the last two weeks in China, in my head – remembering, visualizing, hearing, smelling, tasting once again that wonderful experience I had in person – Tai Chi in Chenjiago (Chen Village) and Wudanshan (Wudang Mountains). Now well into the book I am writing about my story, I easily went back to the multi-faceted experience that enhanced my life and my Tai Chi. A dream come true, a trip that I thought would be physically impossible for me to ever take. And there I was.

This week I told a story to my Tai Chi students. It was in response to a student’s question, “How long until I’m not a beginner any longer?”

China
Chen WangTing
Chen Village

In Chenjiago, Chen Village, walking on a gravel road leading to History Museum of Tai Chi, there is a big rock with Chinese writing, “Tai Chi’s Holy Place. We near the entrance and encounter a statue of Chen WangTing, the founder of Chen Tai Chi in the 1600’s. As we walk further along a stone walkway, we encounter three gigantic stone gates. The outermost gate signifies the earliest proficiency of Tai Chi, the second for those who have advanced further and the third, for those who are even more advanced. Chen WangTing told his students he was personally outside the first gate. My fellow Tai Chi travelers and I stopped, looked at each other in amazement. We knew that put us way, way, way, way outside the first gate!

tai chi statue

This is a great lesson for us, always having the mind of a beginner, eager to learn, eager to try, eager to be open to new lessons. We do not arrive nor master. We are here to be on the journey.

Filed Under: Arlene Faulk, Paying Attention, Tai Chi, Tai Chi in China, Traveling in China Tagged With: Chen Village, chen wangting, journey, mind of a beginner, writing

Just Published – “You Heal You”

September 13, 2016 By Arlene Faulk Leave a Comment

Jane Doyle’s inspirational book about healing is now available for advance purchase. Check it out:

You Heal You: Inspirational & Miraculous Healing Stores of Modern Day Warriors

Thirty years of pain and uncertainty, she leaps out of her comfort zone and tries healing approaches that are new to her. Jane gives specific steps she took, and continues to take, to enhance her health daily.

I am honored to be part of Jane’s book as she includes 17 personal healing stories written by people from across the world. Chapter 24, “A Gentle Reminder,” is a summary of my story, reaching a vibrant state of health I did not know was possible. Tai Chi is a big part of that story, which continues to heal me and others whom I teach.

You Heal You

Take time to check out Jane’s book, now!

chapter 24 by Arlene Faulk

Filed Under: Arlene Faulk, Listening to our Body, Tai Chi, Writing Tagged With: book publishing, jane doyle, writing, you heal you

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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Walking on Pins and Needles

My book Walking on Pins and Needles: A Memoir of Chronic Resilience in the Face of Multiple Sclerosis, out now!

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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
1
2
  • 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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29
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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