January 2023: Seated TCC

During the January practice and meeting, the participants discussed seated T’ai Chi Chih (TCC). Topics included: students who practice in a wheelchair, the benefits of seated TCC, how to rock correctly while doing seated TCC, what to do with the feet, what to remember when doing the movements, and how to address students with balance issues.

Students who usually stand but do TCC seated with others who need to be seated, can find a deeper appreciation and understanding of the weight shift. Those who sit in a wheelchair can feel included if everyone else is doing seated TCC. Both types of students come away with a love of TCC practice.

Kay Rydeen shared a word of caution when doing seated TCC. The rocking motion that one does when doing seated TCC should be done with — and felt — in the sitz bones. If the rocking motion is done from the lower lumbar spine, this can be harmful.

We make changes to the feet position when doing seated TCC. For all movements, the feet stay parallel except for Bird Flaps its Wings, where they are placed in a soft “V.” If possible, the feet and heels are still raised and lowered, matching the weight shift on the sitz bones.

With seated TCC there are some adjustments and things to remember. Keeping the movements small for Around the Platter, Around the Platter Variation, and Pulling in the Energy helps prevent the body moving from side-to-side following the arms and hands around in a circular motion. Making small movements also prevents the hands from hitting the legs, with Passing Clouds for example.

When a student has balance issues, placing a chair or two nearby is helpful in case they feel unsteady. With two chairs, one chair is placed on the right side and one on the left; both chairs placed with the backs to the student. The chairs may be a little in the way for side-to-side movements, but it’s better than having a student fall. Seated TCC can be done by most people.