Sept 18-19, 2023, Boston, MA

Part 2: Stand Sure, Sit Sure

By Adam Lacey, Banbury, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom

Greetings fellow T’ai Chi Chih (TCC) practitioners, from Oxfordshire, UK. It is an honor to communicate with you via The Vital Force about some of the experiences of the two-day Boston conference.

I’m writing this with feet rooted to the floor, grounding, surrendering the weight of the body into the feet, noticing the sensations in the soles of the feet. This is important because the conference was such a high that in truth I have been buoyed along throughout the following week.

It was a wonderful experience to meet fellow TCC teachers from “the other side of the pond.”

Sokie, Anita, and Jessica were so welcoming and friendly and generous. And to have our TCC practice in common, I had the feeling that we had known each other a lot longer than a couple of days. Thank you to each of you.

The conference event brought together skillful and experienced Tai Chi and Qigong (TCQ) practitioners from various schools, some of whom demonstrated with grace their skill in moving the Chi. There were a large number of researchers and scientists of various disciplines, looking at the impact of TCQ on physical and mental health and wellbeing which was truly inspiring. 

As practitioners we know for ourselves of the benefits of TCC and as teachers we are likely privileged to hear stories from some students of the many manifestations of how TCC is helping them in their day to day lives. I often find myself with a foot in two boats when it comes to practice of the art and the science of TCC. It was somehow reassuring, satisfying and also exciting to hear from so many scientists in the field of human health, that TCQ is being studied seriously in many countries, for its contribution to mind body health. And that it is already being recognized as meeting criteria for funding by state and private health insurance for some conditions.

I believe that TCC is well placed in taking the next steps in integrated mind body health care in the 21st Century. And why not? The form that Justin originated is well suited to people on the go (as so many of us are) to perhaps experience more serenity in the going. This is something that seems to begin from very early on in the learning process. 

The TCC form lends itself well as a structured and quantifiable ‘protocol’ to be offered in research. Our practice and our community were not out of place in this distinguished and influential setting. TCC was mentioned multiple times in the two days, by prominent scientist researchers who have utilized TCC (to beneficial effect) as the form of TCQ in their research trials. This stood out as there weren’t many other forms that were specifically mentioned in the large plenary talks. 

At a conference with many pleasant surprises, I was struck by how often we were approached by attendees who knew of and had experience of TCC practice and were keen to discuss this with us. Interested clinicians, researchers and practitioners approached us to ask questions and how wonderful that we could demonstrate TCC in the experiential workshop on day two, as well as refer attendees to a webpage packed with more information as well as the current research evidence. 

I was asked by many people at the conference: what is TCC and of course there are many ways to describe it to the uninitiated. Some of these include: a simplified or shorter form of TCQ, a newer version of qigong, a gentle series of movements, meditation in motion, perhaps medication in motion. 

I reflect that I feel nourished and galvanized, encouraged, and optimistic having attended the conference. How I describe TCC to my classes in the community remains the same: an easy to practice and easy to learn set of gentle, flowing movements that have the potential to improve your quality of life; you be the judge.

My sense is that this inaugural conference was a golden opportunity taken, for the international TCQ community to look inwards to one another, to look outwards at the part we have the opportunity to play in the health of the individual, the community and society and to begin the conversation in earnest and with deep sincerity.

Gratitude and appreciation to each of you and to Justin. I feel privileged to be able to share the Chi.