TCC Style Flash Mob, Just Because

Over the years, I’ve often said to my classes, “Wouldn’t it be cool to gather a group and break out into a T’ai Chi Chih practice in the middle of a mall during the hustle and bustle of a holiday shopping season?!” What would happen? Would people stop and watch, or pause and feel, or trample us down on the way to their next purchase?

After sharing this fantasy recently, Kathleen McAllister suggested a mall and two possible dates. We both knew the actual space within the mall would “feel right” – you know, Prajna. We set a date and emailed 20-plus teachers, asking them to share the invitation with their students (no matter their level of experience).

The first flash mob experience occurred on a Saturday morning in the King of Prussia Mall. We practiced in a circle surrounding a two-story reindeer glowing with white lights. Some shoppers thought we were worshipping the reindeer; others stopped and watched the practice; a few kids screamed with delight as they skipped past. Available flyers described TCC, referring potential practitioners to www.taichichih.org. Although the mall wasn’t nearly as busy as we envisioned, it was fun to infuse it with calm and grounded Chi.

We held an encore performance at a different mall during lunchtime on a weekday. People were once again invited to spread the word and join us. We all faced the same direction and again did the entire (six repetition) practice.

We don’t need holidays to spur a TCC flash mob. Gather your local TCC community and have a flash mob “just because.” Let’s infuse the Chi throughout our locales “just because” … and see what happens.

Below are some comments from folks who attended:

The first flash mob brought pure joy, practicing to Christmas music with kids running by excited for Santa, shoppers watching over the upper floor railing, people taking pictures. The second was very powerful, as if we created a quiet bubble and were inside, in the middle of holiday hustle and bustle. – Kathleen

I loved that people could see us from back and front, and from overhead and from the stairs. Since I was on the edge of the group I answered questions and handed out information. – Sarah

I was shocked by how calm I became when we began to move. I heard voices of passersby and watched people who stopped to watch us, but I continued to feel the soles of my feet and to feel my t’an tien calling the shots. Thank you, Justin, for this amazing practice. It was one of the greatest examples I’ve ever encountered of serenity in the midst of activity. – Jessica

When I first saw April’s Facebook post about the flash mob, my heart felt a spark of joy. I jumped at the chance to practice in a different kind of space. But as we began, the place no longer felt so different; the Chi seemed to form a loving and familiar aura around the group. I was only barely aware of shoppers who’d stopped to quietly observe us and appeared drawn in. – Lorry

What struck me was how quiet our end of the mall was and how foot traffic around us slowed and even stopped in some cases. Pauses are significant. – Jim

I thought it would be difficult to focus with music playing and people walking around. But when we started following April, I was gradually not as aware of the music or the mall. – Marion

These mall flash mobs are a fun marketing tool to share TCC with the public. One mall store clerk said that it was a great idea because of the anxiety associated with this time of year. – Marcia

I do not practice TCC but attended to take photos and videos. I felt very much in the moment, attending to my task and taking in the sights and sounds. I watched from various vantage points, capturing different poses and participants; the practice appeared effortless. The energy around me grew larger, fuller, deeper. It felt as if a gentle snowfall had started. At one point, facing the participants, the practice felt too sacred and private to capture on film. I honored that, pausing before capturing any more photos. It was really very remarkable. – Martha