Poetry Among Us

Retreat with Antonia Cooper near St. Louis, MO; April 20-21, 2009

By Susan Kissinger, Host, St. Louis, MO

Nine teachers and fourteen students left busy lives in April and immediately encountered yin and yang – an experience of retreat serenity within the chaos of modern times. Antonia’s voice was quiet, and yet no amplification was needed for us to understand the clarity of her words. It was such a contrast to the loud speakers in our daily lives.

We explored the details of up-and-down movements, side-to-side movements, and forward-and-back movements, effortlessly reviewing all nineteen movements and one pose. Most importantly, we were invited to feel the principles of movement, and we rested in stillness.

Resting, grounded through the soles of our feet, palms and tailbone.

Flowing from the center, the tan t’ien.

Weight shifting from the sole of one foot to the other and back again, and again.

Cycling with softness and continuity, circularity, polarity.

Form arising, abiding, changing, and disappearing.

Moving within stillness.

Still within movement.