Conference Perspective & Grounding

This year’s T’ai Chi Chih conference may have been the best yet. Why? A gorgeous location along Boulder Creek at the base of the mountains, the 120 teachers (many at conference for the first time and others returning after years away), the practices, the well-planned program, and the spirit of unity and harmony.

If you are a teacher, set your intention now to attend next summer’s conference. Make it a priority and plan ahead to attend.

Carmen and I were asked to give our perspectives on grounding. Here’s a summary of my talk:

Grounding in TCC Practice

The purpose of coming back to rest in between the movements is to allow the Yin and YangChi (which have separated and been circulating during movement) to flow back together and to be stored in the bones and tan t’ien. Thus we become whole. Or perhaps better said, we return to our natural state of wholeness.

The Chi is like electricity, with a positive and negative element. On an electrical plug there is a grounding wire. When we come to rest in TCC, we are plugging into the earth, grounding ourselves. (In Seijaku be sure to ground a little longer between movements.) How do I know I am grounded? I wait at rest until I feel the Chi has settled and my body is ready to move again.

We not only ground at rest, but also when moving, by focusing in the soles of the feet or tan t’ien. I recommend feeling your weight shifting very slowly and graduallyfrom one foot to the other, like grains of sand falling in an hourglass. This helps to move with softness and continuity while maintaining our focus in the soles of the feet.

As a teacher, it is useful to count the number of repetitions we are doing. I count in the soles of my feet. As I shift forward I think to myself “one.” As I shift back I think “and”… ”two” (forward) … ”and” (back) …”three”… and so forth. It keeps me grounded while teaching.

Being grounded leads to gratitude. I am grateful for this beautiful earth that supports us; grateful for my TCC and Seijaku practice and teaching; grateful for all my TCC friends; grateful for my life.