Soles of the Paws

Rhonda St. Martin, Tequite, Mandela

For those of you with pets, have you ever noticed how they love to be around you while you’re practicing T’ai Chi Chih? Even the yippiest little dogs promptly calm down, get quiet and “yin out.” Cats curl up and purr away. I have had numerous students come to class and report their pets’ various antics. It’s a great example of the calming effect the practice has on the environment in your home, office, backyard. Students love the “assignment” of observing for themselves the effects of Chi on other beings. Consider this the next time you’re carrying the ball with some of our feathered or furry friends. I was once told that animals are closer to God than a lot of people. Might this be the same primal energy we are always refining?