Flow
T’ai Chi Chih is a mindfulness-moving meditation practice that’s easy to learn. The series of 19 movements and one pose helps circulate the Vital Energy, the Chi. Practitioners experience peace, improved health, and many more benefits. Our free monthly e-newsletter offers inspiration between issues of the TCC quarterly journal, The Vital Force, in which teachers and students tell stories about ways they’ve benefited from the practice.
…flow ‘slow motion in a dream’ – Justin F. Stone, TCC Originator
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From the recent issue of The Vital Force:
Flow: “I felt that joy of being in the flow as a conduit of energy as I performed my daily TCC practice near my 21-year-old cat, Quanyin. As I practiced the slow movements that generated the universal energy the Chinese referred to as Chi, Quanyin would move from her heated bed on the chair under the kitchen counter and nuzzle between my hands as they circulated the Life Force. She would show that she felt the energy in her 21-year-old bones and skinny body by purring and snuggling throughout my practice.” – CT, Cardiff, CA
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Editor’s Note: Learn more from TCC teachers with more than 25 years of experience in the November issue of The Vital Force.
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Presence: “I teach TCC in a community of seniors. Their lives are rich and fascinating, full of adventures and tales. Some moments reveal great sorrow, others lively delight, hilarity, and humor, all delivered with eyes that dance and sing. They’ve learned to heal through grief and luxuriate in joy and their experiences are part of their TCC practice. I’ve learned to appreciate their ability to sense the lightness of TCC, the flow, and the sustained movements. They’re unhurried at practice because they choose to be present. TCC is their gift to themselves.” – SC, Ridley Park, PA
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Energy: “I look at TCC as a methodology to integrate body, brain, and soul and to release all intellectual thoughts. Starting with our warm-ups, I glide through Rocking Motion, Bird Flaps Its Wings, and Around the Platter. My body appreciates the gentle rhythmic movements that follow. All four ‘Taffies’ loosen me up and help my body regain its energy. We all look forward to discovering the movement nuances every Saturday morning.” – TO, Beaverton, OR
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Integrity: The TCC teacher who does not practice himself or herself is somewhat of a fraud. Personal development is necessary before passing it on to students. My teacher from India said, ‘Before giving water, make sure you have water to give.’ This does not apply to most TCC teachers, who practice faithfully. – Justin F. Stone
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Where in the World have you been doing T’ai Chi Chih? Share your images for our gallery.
Want more inspiration? Want a connection with the global TCC community? Want tips for better practice? Join us:
Subscribe to The Vital Force. Our quarterly journal offers engaging stories, hints, and insights from TCC teachers and students. We also highlight wisdom by, and photos rarely seen of, originator Justin Stone.
