Teacher examines her own practice

I began teaching my first class about a month ago. The incredible responsibility is balanced only by the joy I feel in sharing T’ai Chi Chih with others.

My own daily practice is often done either in front of a mirror or our sliding glass door so I can observe my movements. I want to be sure I am moving correctly, the way I tell my students to move.

One morning I did my T’ai Chi Chih practice just before I left for work. I had on a suit jacket and was in front of our full-length closet mirrors. My attention was drawn to the front of the jacket. The right side moved as I moved, the left side didn’t move at all. The movements appeared correct in the mirror but the odd way the jacket moved, only on one side, made me look lopsided and out of balance. Without thinking about it too much I allowed my awareness to go to my left side. The movements appeared the same in the mirror but the jacket began to move evenly on both sides. This subtle shift in awareness brought more balance to the intrinsic energies as they flowed through my body.

Everyday I feel a deeper sense of self, and a connection to the energies of the universe. T’ai Chi Chih is truly Joy thru Movement.

– Patricia Strand