Pacing With Hips

As we gathered for the first T’ai Chi Chih practice at a teacher conference several years ago, a few people had already begun moving. One individual had her back to me and was moving so gracefully. Because I was not facing her I was not concerned about whom I was watching. Her waist and hips moved so slowly and lead her in a forward movement. It crossed my mind that if this was a new teacher I was impressed.

When this person turned around, it was Sandy McAlister. I felt a little embarrassed because she had been my teacher trainer and had led a Tupelo workshop. I mustered up the courage to tell her about my experience watching her. I kidded that I was a little disappointed to discover it was she I was watching.

This experience brought me in touch with the importance of letting the waist and hips lead a movement. By doing so, the pace of the movement is better established. I became more aware of my tendency to move too fast. Watching Sandy from the back drew my attention to her waist and hips – helping me to focus on her slow pace.

The pace of the waist and hips determine the pace at which the hands and other body parts move. I keep this pace in mind during all TCC movements. This is especially helpful during Pulling Taffy and Passing Clouds.

What a strange, teachable moment it was with Sandy. I am not sure I took anything else away from the conference as important. This one moment was well worth the trip.