Slowly, together
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.
“Slowly and evenly is the right way.”– Justin F. Stone, TCC Originator
From a recent issue of The Vital Force:
Harmony: “I’ve been working with the wrists, enjoying the heavy air against the hands, using the tan t’ien and totally quieting the shoulders. It’s incredible how solid I become in the soles of the feet. There is no more leaning forward or backward because the tan t’ien is in charge. I become totally aware of the yin and yang legs and the movement unfolds in perfect harmony without hurry. It’s fun paying attention to the flow that happens, letting the whole movement be.” – CG, Lake Charles, LA
Editor’s Note: CG’s reflections continue in the November 2020 issue of the TCC journal, The Vital Force.
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Connection: “I came to TCC class because it was something I always wanted to do. After experiencing, and sharing, many classes, I realized that TCC is not something you ‘do,’ it’s something you are, something you feel and experience. Doing is a minimal part. When we’re together in class, we’re connected by the energy that flows from each of us, to each of us. Some people say, ‘I don’t feel anything.’ I know, because I was one of them. Then I found just my presence in class shares an energy particular to me. It gives of itself even if I don’t ‘feel’ it. Coming to ‘do’ TCC was a wonderful decision.” – GM, Student of DK, Midland Park, NJ
Editor’s Note: More of DK’s students share experiences in the November issue.
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Joy: “Our students offer such richness to our shared practice; together we’re all exploring our present and our presence. Students graciously share their experiences of how TCC has affected their lives. A few examples include thoughts on Mind (‘to chatter less, allowing me to focus clearly’), Soul (‘a sense of place and role in our infinite universe’) and Chi (‘to share my joy, passing the energy to others’). The biggest gift is the complete letting go of tension, the deepest relief of letting go. TCC is pure gift.” – BK, Corte Madera, CA
Editor’s Note: BK’s observations expand in the November issue.
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Softness: To say that practice, preferably daily practice — early in the morning seems the best time, but some people also do it late in the afternoon — is necessary is to point out the obvious. But that practice must be done softly and continuously, preferably at a slow pace. If you rush you will cut the movements short. The yinning and yanging, the bending of the knees and the shift of weight to the bent knee (a slow, steady shift) is all-important, but it must be done softly and evenly. To sum up: softness at all times, slow and even movements, and no effort; these comprise the ‘musts’ of TCC movements. – Justin F. Stone
Find more of Justin’s writings about moving correctly in the November issue.
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