Grounded

For ten years I have been practicing T’ai Chi Chih, seeing it as a profoundly healing experience. This past Fall, I began to study Seijaku under Jungmin Lee. The assurance and clarity of her instruction has allowed me to learn with confidence. Most profoundly, I have come to see that Seijaku lets softness be softer.

When first learning Seijaku, I tried to concentrate on everything I was learning and then felt tension in my back. Jungmin emphasized it would help to have my feet firmly grounded, be mindful and flow from the tan t’ien rather than forcing muscles. You might think this would be second nature for someone practicing TCC for years, but I needed to hear it one more time.

Having my feet firmly grounded allowed the tan t’ien to lead, letting each new movement have a softer beginning, letting the conclusion of each movement freely flow, all without any muscle tension. Because my feet are now grounded, I feel an evenness and stillness throughout the Seijaku practice.

My attempt to focus on being present no longer holds me back. Instead, I am becoming aware of resistance and letting go, of simultaneous softness and resistance. I no longer need to force the notion of being present.

At the end of each of class, Jungmin’s voice remains and I keep my feet firmly grounded. I feel that evenness and stillness of the practice in my everyday life.