Moving Together

T’ai Chi Chih is blossoming full and flowing, gracing the days with all the gifts it gently offers.

A man in one class–3rd session–recently shared that when he entered the class he felt very much like Richard Nixon! Very disconnected–rigid. He is so grateful for the new softness and sense of integration–very healing for his body/mind. He looks so easy, so kind, so receptive now. Classmates joked that he didn’t look like Nixon, but he did bring a high level of holding and tension that first day…and how joyous to watch the changes.

And the very sweetest thing is “moving together” Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays with Kindergartners, first, second and third graders all together in the schoolyard half a block from my house–first thing in the morning–8:15-8:30. It feels like a dream.

I’ve been working with seniors and elderly for ten years–and in the last few years I’ve been saying out loud and here and there that I want to also share with children. I felt a deep need for children’s energy. I let neighbors know last year that I was offering a class for parents and children. There was little response, until the phone rang in June or July asking if I might like to teach 318 children! This is funded partly through a grant and partly through the P.T.A.

I began by visiting each classroom two times–to establish some basic vocabulary and to give myself a chance to meet children and teachers. And now the children settle easily and mostly move with grace and ease. As I write this all up more comprehensively, I will keep you posted. For now, I am so grateful and deeply longing to bring my best to this cherished young community.

Our goal is to begin our days (MWF) as a community. The movement is a combination of stretches, improvisation and soft, flowing motion based on principles of T’ai Chi Chih. With attention to breathing and centering energy, the ability to focus and concentrate is enhanced, and children can settle down to learn. The sequence of moves keeps evolving with the continuing goal of creating peace within ourselves and our environment.