A Teaching Tip

Once my students have learned most of the movements, I introduce what I call “Chi Drawing.” After a practice session I’ll produce blank paper, dozens of crayons and ask them to use color to give form to their experience. I usually give them more time, but saying “just two minutes” makes it easier for them to get started and know they don’t have to produce a masterpiece. I also give out a couple of cardboard folders for each person to lay their paper on. Usually I then like to give people the opportunity for show and tell. Often times this opens up wonderful conversations and affirmations about our inner experience of T’ai Chi Chih and who we are as Chi/energy beings. For myself, brief Chi drawings have given me many valuable insights and refined my understanding of Chi energy tremendously.