A Tool for Transformation

Recently one of my dear, long time, dedicated T’ai Chi Chih (TCC) students described our practice as a tool for transformation. I love that; it is so true. While we can practice simply as a way to calm down, relax, ground and center, we can also use it to work on areas of our lives that we would like to transform.

Our practice gives us the opportunity to take care of all directions — forward, backward, up, down, left side, right side. I can use a movement to drill down physically and focus on where I put my feet. Do I step out too far or not far enough? Am I holding myself back in life or perhaps trying too hard? Do I bend my knees with effort, or do I allow myself to sink into the soles of the feet so that my spine begins to tingle with an energy surge? Do I reach too far out when doing Push Pull, or do I not push out far enough? When I pull back am I rushing to go forward again, uncomfortable with giving myself love, or am I taking the time to receive that energy back into my being? When I do Passing Clouds do I move side to side with effort and stiffness in my hips, legs and waist, or can I simply let go of my ego and move fully to one side and the other as if I were a cloud being moved by the wind?

I study, focus, and concentrate to make each movement a work of art, always perfecting, always improving. I train my mind as well as my body. Some days it all comes together of its own accord, without effort. I am grateful for those moments. Those areas I worked on in my practice transform corresponding areas in my life, and I see myself change.

Thank you, Justin, for this practice which is, indeed, a life-long tool for transformation.