Teaching Mindfulness

Several techniques can help students experience mindfulness more fully. Have them focus on the soles of their feet, so that they are grounded and connected with the earth. They can also focus on stepping forward or backward; in other words, ask them to feel their feet from the heel all the way to the ball of foot. Or have them divide the foot into four parts (big toe/instep, little toe/outstep, inside heel, and outside heel), feeling each part individually. One teacher suggested that instructors might use the eight coins approach; let there be four points of emphasis on each foot. Another technique distinguishes between the external and internal: Although teachers know that students are connected to divine energy, some students have difficulty being mindful of their movements as their energy focuses on watching and listening to their teacher. Therefore, teachers must diminish themselves so that students can excel. Finally, the best standard for mindfulness is to have students focus on the principals of T’ai Chi Chih (circularity, continuity, polarity, yinging and yanging, etc.)