Student uses his TCC practice to prepare himself for waiting tables

Student of Sharon Sirkis

T’ai Chi Chih is definitely joy through movement for me. I have seen many changes in my behavior in the six weeks since class started. I am a very anxious person and T’ai Chi Chih is a great stress reliever and helps reduce my anxiety. I have found that it helps me out in most areas of my life, but one specific aspect that I have found is especially useful is my job.

I wait tables at Phillips Seafood in the Inner Harbor [Baltimore, MD]. To do this job I need great stamina and an ability to remember many details at one time. Doing my T’ai Chi Chih beforehand helps out a great deal with this job. Rocking Motion always relaxes me and get me focused for the long day ahead. On those long double shifts Pulling in the Energy keeps me on my feet all day. Perpetual Motion works physically and metaphorically. It keeps me focused and is also a quick move, which leaves little time to think about what you are doing. In a sense this is what you have to do while waiting tables. You must be quick in remembering orders and getting what you need.

The whole theory behind T’ai Chi Chih helps me out a great deal in my job and life as well. Softness and continuity are great skills to have when waiting tables. You must have really quick results, but at the same time take your time so that everything is right. The softness is important because you must treat each task as if it was the most important one. The continuity is important because you must keep everything moving, and more importantly, keep it moving smoothly. Balance is probably the most important aspect of T’ai Chi Chih. When working I need to balance my attention between many different people and make sure everyone gets equal service.

T’ai Chi Chih is helpful when I’m faced with a situation I’m not quite sure how to handle. It brings me out of the situation while I’m doing the exercises and doesn’t help me think of solutions, but does clear my head and help rationalize my thoughts. The move Push Pull helps when I am in that mood, to visualize the problems that I want to push away and the goals that I want to pull towards me. Physically and mentally the moves bring me down to earth and help me deal with the situation at hand.

T’ai Chi Chih is definitely a skill that I am happy to have learned. The moves are easy to do and tension free and I will be able to continue practicing them long after the class is over. The Chi is a wonderful thing to feel and I am grateful that I have the opportunity to learn T’ai Chi Chih and all that it has to offer.