TCC & Chess

Stepping into a friendship circle on an early spring morning in the Portland Rose Test Garden, we begin our weekly T’ai Chi Chih practice, as we have done for six months. We smile, start Rocking Motion and gently flow into nineteen movements and the final pose. It has been a journey of discovery and learning to complete a full practice. For some it was hard to remember the movement names and how to position the body. Some move right when the group moves left, but with practice things get better. Eventually we develop a sense of order and the flow of Chi. Following Justin’s mantra of “Practice, Practice, Practice” leads us towards Justin’s goal of “Letting T’ai Chi Chih do T’ai Chi Chih.”

This quiet flow of energy and Chi has helped our chess play as well. Letting go and focusing has improved our planning and creative vision, and the spontaneity of solutions in our international correspondence chess games. It has increased our clarity of thought along with our feelings of balance between thought and action. Surprisingly and without effort a much improved chess tournament results.

move

chess pieces

hands gliding

softly thinking

carefully

skillful

joy