More Joy

The subtitle of T’ai Chi Chih (TCC) is Joy thru Movement, and we can certainly use more joy these days. If we listen to the news or read it on our cell phones, an endless stream of depressing news clamors for our attention.

In addition to practicing TCC regularly, Justin encouraged us to “Turn your thoughts to joy.” He even composed a song to help us do that and added movement to it. The words and tune are in the back of his book, Meditation for Healing. The original version has three verses, but we typically just sing the chorus. This describes what Justin showed us:

Do a faster than usual TCC weight shift forward and back while swinging the arms forward and back in time with the weight shift and singing (one syllable per weight shift):

Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy, heal-ing thru Joy. Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy, heal-ing thru Joy.

Joy in the Heart, Joy in the Mind, Joy in the Soul. Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy, heal-ing thru Joy.

After singing and swinging the arms with the left foot forward, repeat it on the right.

Recently I’ve been starting my day with this joy song. It’s an energizing, uplifting practice that cultivates joy in daily life and reminds me to turn my thoughts to joy regardless of external circumstances. I’ve recently been teaching it in my TCC and Seijaku classes.

I invite you to learn (or re-learn) the joy song and integrate it into your daily activities. It can be done anytime, including before or after TCC practice. If you are a TCC teacher, share it with your students. Remember to adapt the movements to your students’ age, balance, and abilities. For instance, it is fine to shift the weight forward and back without hopping.

Justin’s joy song is a wonderful and effective antidote to feeling down. It’s difficult to feel depressed while hopping back and forth singing Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy.