Love’s A Round

I’ve fallen in love again. The stiff, serious expressions of my new students have been replaced with occasional shy smiles. Their awkward self-conscious movements are changing to smoother more circular motions. We have arrived at Carry The Ball To The Side and actually move in the correct direction most of the time. Eyebrows raise and faces brighten as I mention that we now have a short practice to enjoy during the week. An earnest student, retired physician who has insightful questions and a continued thirst for knowledge, stops to clarify a comment about circularity after class. I love my new students, just as I love every new class. Justin describes teh and I wonder if T’ai Chi Chih actually attracts personalities with commitment and sincerity.

I’m in love again. At the small western Maryland psychiatric hospital where I offer weekly TCC stretches, I lead some patients in their quest for calm while others simply watch and enjoy being in a quiet space with kind companions. The movements are not well-coordinated but the facial expressions become more placid and the movements softer. Patients with schizophrenia, PTSD, developmental disabilities and bipolar disorder find a venue for self-soothing, self-expression and release. Theirs expression of gratitude is similar to my continuing education students, despite the lack of studied and steady improvement.

Falling in love yet again, I practice with a small community gathering of former and current TCC students, sensing the wind blowing through the Allegany Mountains, while geese fly overhead. Smiling faces are pink from the cool air, while the group yins and yangs, moving softly and slowly, coming to a graceful conclusion before sharing a light breakfast and hot tea together. I love the community of sincere individuals who bring and share the energy of joy through movement to one another in this rural setting.

I fall in love with the practice as I move, blissfully noting the charge of energy between my palms in Daughter In The Valley, seeing my beautiful dog gazes at me lovingly, gradually forgetting her canine rivals next door. My love spreads from my palms as Push Pull entices the mourning doves and chickadees to share their birdbaths with me on the patio. TCC is doing TCC, and I am in love with the universe.