TCC Dog Metaphor

During this T’ai Chi Chih class, I have learned that there can be a reason for moving slowly. Before now I would not have given serious thought to an exercise class that had slow and purposeful movements. I would like to compare TCC movements with three pets that live at my house.

Stu is a dachshund with an attitude. From the moment we open his kennel in the morning to when we coax him back in at night, he is in perpetual motion. With an around the platter style, he races to the left and to the right. He does variations as well, including carrying the ball to the side and everything else. Stu races up and down the stairs looking for the daughter on the mountaintop and in the valley. He pulls in the energy with his scraggly looking toys, then pushes and pulls them into the furniture cushions. It must all work for Stu because he continually barks with joyous breaths.

Lewie is a brilliant hunter cat. He is fascinated with birds flapping their wings to which he responds with a rocking motion. Pulling Taffy is his favorite movement using toilet paper or paper towels. On the backs of furniture, Lewie attempts the bass drum and naps during the day in creative cosmic consciousness poses.

Jujube is my four-year old Sulcata tortoise. She is the yin to the other’s yang. She will meander around for several hours like passing clouds. Jujube is well known in the Building 4 science area as she lives there during the colder months. She is known for her calmness, acceptance of everyone and her wise counsel.