Seated TCC: There When You Need It Most

Seated T’ai Chi Chih has been such a blessing in my life that I promote it in all my classes, even if the participants are able to stand to do the movements. I explain to them that TCC is best done standing, but sometimes, because of age, illness or injury, standing to do the movements can be difficult. Seated TCC allows the movements to be performed gently and safely, while still providing many of the benefits of the standing form. So, after teaching the movements standing, I show them how to do the movements seated because you never know when you’re going to need it. I speak from experience.

Over the years, I have had to take time from my teaching to recover from two major surgeries and a fractured leg. Each time seated TCC came to my rescue, helping me to unlock my powerful self-healing system and allowing me to continue my personal practice even though I was unable to stand. In each instance, during the early stages of recovery, I performed the movements mentally, because there was no other choice. But as soon as I was able to sit up comfortably, I began doing the movements seated.

The benefits received were many, and very welcome. I was better able to deal with my stress, to stay positive, to accept my situation (no small task) and find an inner calm. The deep relaxation in body and mind released my tension, increased my energy, and lifted my spirit. Most importantly, the gentle movements eased my pain, or perhaps simply increased my ability to tolerate it, so that sleep came more easily, deeply, and for longer periods of time.

During my practice, or moments of reflection, I listened to and communicated with my body and my inner spirit, to understand and encourage the healing needed. I tapped into resilience built over time and felt a connection to the supportive healing energy from Nature. Being able to move, even though unable to stand, helped to restore lost muscle tone and flexibility. And it just plain felt good.

Taking an active part in our own healing is empowering. I am grateful to have seated TCC when needed, to feel more in control of — and a participant in — my own healing.