Graceful Conclusion, by Kris Jordahl (May 2023)

I started T’ai Chi Chih (TCC) in 2020, so I did not have the privilege of meeting or training with Justin Stone directly. What I have learned from everyone who had that privilege is truly amazing. That is where my wishful thinking comes in: I wished for the opportunity to learn from him. Then I remembered that I am learning through his teachers. His Life Force flows through everyone. Every time I do TCC, I feel his presence — especially when it comes from a teacher who trained under him. The way everyone expresses that moment when something clicks, when an understanding delivers an “aha!” moment, or they catch the spiritual aspects of the tan t’ien.

Why do I believe the graceful conclusion is so important? I have observed that it can be more than a pause between movements. From that I have concluded that the graceful conclusion is a series of actions that only happen during those few seconds, without thought or movement. Beginning, grounding, pausing, and ending.

The graceful conclusion is the beginning and ending of every movement. We have 19 movements and 1 pose. So, that’s 20 openings, 20 groundings, 20 pauses, and 20 closings. Why else would we spend so much time in beginning, grounding, pausing, and ending?

Beginning: I bring my body to a graceful conclusion with this single action; I start slowing down and bringing my thoughts inward into calm and silence.

Grounding: Over time my body and mind know that the graceful conclusion position is a signal to ground and connect with the earth and to become one with its energy (i.e., think soles of the feet). 

Pausing: I allow the energy to settle and come together before moving again. Allowing me to feel the grounding, the energy swirling around, picking up other energies from the universe, and settling into my own energy. Nancy Hebert says, “It’s in that stillness that the energies settle.”

Ending: When the energy settles within the body, that is the signal that the movement is over, and I am ready to begin again (the practice or the day).

Justin left an opening for everyone to begin to understand what each movement is meant to be. We all start with learning the movements, but then we begin to question our teachers. Why this movement? What is it supposed to mean? What is the purpose of that movement? Those who trained under Justin shrug their shoulders to indicate it is just the way. I am grateful that it can become personal — my interpretation, spiritual journey, energy intentions, and healing. This allows me to incorporate what I learn from others and into what is important to me and my life.