A Chi-full Vacation, A Chi-full Conference

It had been three years since my last conference and stay in the States and I missed it and I needed it again. So I had it planned by saving time, money and energy, the three being of course connected. And I want to share the feeling and experience I got throughout this special time.

Doing T’ai Chi Chih is fine. We find a nice place to do our practice, we relax, and we focus on the movements. But in life we are always confronted by situations, obstacles and then, that’s through our attitude, our behavior, our way to face it, that we can check if it works. And we know it should, it usually does, but sometimes not quite. Well I had to face losing my luggage both ways, for a couple of days, having flights delayed, and missing two connections.

Then there was this fire alarm during the first night at the hotel. Some people were really stressed but none of the T’ai Chi Chih teachers seemed to be affected. Serenity.

But then there was the way I felt the energy when I arrived at the hotel. I must say I felt oppressed by the place, the colors of the rooms, no windows, air conditioning too cold for me, walking on synthetic carpets. It was as being trapped in a pan with a lid on top of my head. So I really needed to escape outside, walk by the little pond, watch the geese, enjoy the little breeze and take deep breath to come back in.

But pleeeeeaaaaaaaase, don’t get offended with what I am saying! I KNOW it is difficult to find a place. I know you are looking for reasonable prices. And the rooms were indeed very comfortable. I know the team of T’ai Chi Chih teachers from St Louis has done a tremendous work and they welcomed us so well. And I am grateful for all that!

And then something happened!
SHIFTING!
SHIFTING OF THE WEIGHT!
SHIFTING OF ENERGY!
I entered one of the conference rooms
And I could feel the Chi
Created by our community
Changing the entire atmosphere,
I could let go,
I could feel myself like a little blade of grass
Amidst the lawn,
I could feel myself like a little drop of water
In the river
I didn’t pay anymore attention to the room
Except the crystal lights
I fully enjoyed
Just
Being there.

The next point I would like to express is the fact that the choice of a name, a word, a title always has a deep meaning. “Gateway to the Chi” Flowing from the center. The symbol of the Gateway Arch printed on paper and on the shirts. So I wanted to see the Arch in St Louis. And I went there. And once I was there I wanted to take a ride to the top.

And it was really something! Spectacular, visionary, ambitious, astonishing! One of these amazing monuments that is a landmark in architecture. I was glad I could see it. Huge modern constructions, some bridges or the Opera House in Sydney for instance have a real effect on me. Eero Saarinen was able to imagine this Arch and then create it.

And then I made the immediate link with Justin and T’ai Chi Chih. For me choosing the symbol of this Arch and walking through this Gateway means that we are entering a new dimension, a new opening. It is taking a solemn step both in our individual practice and also as a community.

I highly appreciated the partner practice at the conference. To conclude I have mentioned a “Chi-full Vacation” and indeed I have had two weeks vacation with two of my wonderful T’ai Chi Chih friends, Marlène Brown in Cincinnati who has helped me a lot right from the beginning for my accreditation and Jan Arrott in New Mexico who is a soul sister. Finishing my stay in Albuquerque with Carmen and Brock and spending time with Justin has been a blessing. Each of them is a gift in my life.

I am just so grateful for this cheerful chi-full conference and vacation.