TCC Practice in the Time of COVID-19, Part 3
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.
How much more glorious the trip to inner space – and how much more vast. – Justin F. Stone, TCC Originator
From a recent issue of The Vital Force:
Being: “Recently, the world shut down in a slow-moving wave. When it reached Fort Collins, it felt like contraction, a big exhale. Waiting for the expansion/inhale to return, I feel called to rest in the pause, a sabbatical. I’m learning about letting go – of commitments, ego, anticipation, the illusion of control, judgments, thoughts and seeking (fill-in-blank) externally. I find myself experiencing heightened awareness. With nowhere to be, nothing to anticipate, I am free to be, to experience the joy of living in the present moment.” – CK, Fort Collins, CO
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Feeling: “Our lives are on hold during this pandemic…. So, I decided that practicing TCC at the same time every day would make it feel like a normal day…. TCC has helped me stay grounded and present during these uncertain times. I focus on grounding and really feeling the soles of my feet during practices. Some days I feel really grounded and connected to the earth and other days not so much. I practice without expectation and wait to see what I feel…. Sometimes it’s all wonky and sometimes it’s amazing. I keep coming back because no matter what I feel at the beginning of my practice, by the time I finish I feel good.” – NR, Portland, OR
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Embracing (at a recent TCC workshop): “’a huge take-away was embracing the ‘–ing’ of our practice: transitioning, completing the weight shift, sinking, rising, settling. Waiting to finish the weight shift fully before anticipating and initiating the returning was transforming.” – RP, Loveland, CO … “I’m now aware of the only two mistakes that can be made in TCC: Trying to do something and trying not to do something. I look forward to seeking and embracing the here-ing and now-ing…. allowing instead of trying, releasing instead of lifting. The words apply to TCC and for life in general.” – GT, Loveland, CO
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Changing: The circulation and balancing of the Chi is the great secret of life. It is a very valuable exercise that affects the inner organs as well as the muscular structure. TCC is a moving meditation with far-reaching benefits…. Most students feel the effects of the practice very quickly, so it is not necessary to accept results as a matter of faith. Students who realize that practice is absolutely necessary often experience profound changes during the eight-week beginning course. – 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 connection with the global TCC community? Want tips for a better practice? Join us:
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