Retirement? From What?

How do folks in senior retirement centers perceive of T’ai Chi Chih? Here’s a sampling of comments from Edgewood Downs in Beaverton, Oregon:

“Calmness and serenity is what I perceive. We move through heavy air and the preliminaries – Rocking Motion and Bird Flaps Its Wings – loosen our wrists and get us moving from that place near our belly button, ah yes, the tan t’ien.” – Larry Gross

“I do almost half of the movements standing without my walker and when I tire, it’s seated TCC for me.” – Doris

“It’s helped my balance, which I almost lost but regained with this practice. I rarely miss a session and model for the instructor. TCC is the most important activity that I do at the retirement center all week. The real challenges are the “Taffys,” but we practice them slowly and with intention, the core of spirituality.” – Eleanor Antal

“If we were to move, I’d take TCC with me. The graceful, flowing movements and focus on serenity stir my soul. I have some anxiety issues related to pre-memory loss; the first 12 movements create calmness in me. I am suggesting a friend, Asher, join us at our next practice.” – Judy Pelitier

“With TCC I’m in better control of myself. The two “Daughter” movements, Push Pull and Pulling In The Energy assure me I’m in balance. Since I still work part-time, I’m faced with the frenzy of bus stop activity, noisy traffic and office chatter. Joy with Movement reminds me to stay calm.” – Sue Buttler

The motto on the center’s monthly newsletter masthead reminds us of Mahatma K. Gandhi’s words: “You must be the change you want to see in the world.”

Note: The program director, where standing and seated TCC have flourished, adds: “Besides the benefit of enhancing balance, our Residents have embraced the idea of how they move – from their center, learning to have loose wrists, arms, shoulders, waist. Moving meditation has been a boon to our seniors’ activity program.”

Pyramid Poems (about Freedom)

be

open

to the voice

that will whisper

wisdom from

within

you

– M.W.

past

is past

future has

yet to un fold

choose freedom

be home

now

– J.K.V.

free

living

trusting the

outcome and life

to move me

into

joy

– Mary R.

feel

the clear

transparent

cosmic rhythm

everyday

this is

joy

– D.W.

can

I find

that knowing

inside that sets

me free here

listen

here

– C.B.

free

I breathe

I breathe life

the breath of life

sets me free

to be

me

– Myrna

space

to reach

new levels

into unknown

and distant

places

free

– Merle Smith

air

does not

obey laws

but goes freely

where it wills

when it

wills

– Kay Smith

sync

connect

harmonic

convergence is

at work at

all times

swim

– L.O.

i

have the

freedom to

be grateful or

not it is

up to

me

– Brock

to

be free

is to see

everything as

it is and

to know

love

– Anon

broad

freedom

is wide and

filled with pure hope

seek the truth

to be

free

– Bo