Gratitude & Exploration in the New Year

The new year is a good time for gratitude. I am grateful for the luxury of more time to explore my T’ai Chi Chih (TCC) practice. I am grateful for having been awakened to the user-friendliness of TCC. I am grateful for the discoveries made in playing with the speed and size of movements, while paying more attention to how and what I feel.

I am grateful to Justin Stone for encouraging exploration. (I refer here to the Practice Program under General Instruction in the Photo Text). There, Justin stated that “one will probably want to make his or her own program” and also wrote “one should experiment with different speeds and choose whatever seems most effective personally.” Thank you, Justin, for this great advice.

Yes, we generally do the movements slowly and gently “to stir up and circulate the most Chi.” But after years of practicing, I find that there can be enhanced benefit (and I feel it) in exploring the speed in my practice.

I been experimenting with doing fewer repetitions of the movements but at a quicker pace (not as fast as Fast Track in Seijaku), with a smaller stance and with somewhat smaller arm movements. Flowing from the center with loose waist and wrists and focusing in the soles of the feet are paramount in this kind of exploration. So is taking time for grounding (“a graceful conclusion”) at the end of every set. It is important to stay low and move smoothly.

I also keep in mind Justin’s reminder to “never do T’ai Chi Chih carelessly.” At a faster pace, the movements are still centered, without any jerking or leaning. It also means to practice mindfully. Awareness is the root of TCC. When experimenting with speed, remain relaxed and move without any tension. While I have often used “A, B, C” to mean activate, balance, and circulate, I was impressed by one new teacher’s use of those same letters as “always be comfortable.” 

There can be great value in exploring but do it in order to see what and how you feel, not just to be different or to try something new. You might find and feel a whole new world in your practice.