Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall

I wrote and presented this poem for the entertainment on Saturday night of the TCC Conference. In preparing my presentation on “Partner Practice” for the TCC Conference in St Louis, I was awakened one morning at 3 a.m. A parody of a phrase from the fairy tale about Snow White kept running through my mind. This happens to those of us who are elementary school teachers, or those who have gone to camp and have a thousand zany camp songs in our head. I got up and wrote it down, knowing that I would not recall it the next morning. It is about having someone be “a mirror” for you, a partner to help you improve your TCC form. The rhyme speaks for itself.

Mirror, mirror on the wall, is my TCC BEST of all?
Are my feet in just the right stance? Or is my movement more like a dance?
You say my weight shift is incomplete? And ask, is my attention still in my feet?
Is my form so soft and flowing, or is my EGO really showing?

Mirror, mirror, standing there, please be kind, but be sincere.
Help me see what I can’t see. Light up the “unknowing” part of me.
Do I move just like a clown? Or do I have my heels down?
Is my posture out of line? Now is not the time to whine!

Do I move with style and grace? Are both my hands in the right place?
With wrists relaxed and waist open, my form should be good, at least, I’m hopin.’
Am I flowing from Dan tien? Am I making mistakes all over again?
Mirror, mirror, please, take over. Perhaps I need an extreme makeover!

Sink down here, straighten there, I’ll continue to compare, compare.
I’m working so hard; I want improvement, so I can enjoy my Joy Thru Movement!
Spiral down left, flow to the right, I’m working hard ’til I get it right.
Let tension melt, let ego go. Ah, now I’m beginning to FEEL the flow.

Mirror, mirror, tell me please, am I soft enough in the knees?
Hold fast here, let go there, Now I’m beginning to move with flare.
Fingers relaxed and both elbows in, the river of Chi is flowing again!
Moving from center, my head in alignment, Now I’m beginning to LIKE this refinement!

Heel down first as I move to the side, My waist is turning! I’m glowing with pride!
Remember the knees must be over the toes. I wonder if that applies to my nose?
Complaining won’t get me where I want to be. I WANT refinements to the nth degree!
Today, tomorrow or now is just fine. Please remind me again to straighten my spine!

I’ll practice and practice the new things I’m learning, and keep my waist open, and turning and turning.
My TCC movements were once inferior, but lately, they’re looking much more superior!
Thank you to friends who helped me refine, and now when I move, I look just divine!