Teaching Tips For T’ai Chi Chih- Footprints In The Sand

A favorite CD used in T’ai Chi Chih class, “Seaside –Solo Piano,” by Solitudes has deepened our experience of TCC.

As we begin Rocking Motion, we hear the soft ebb and flow of surf breaking on the beach, encouraging us to slow down, breathe, and relax. As we begin the soft, circular movements of TCC, the sounds of the surf soothe us and we begin to enter a deeper state of relaxation. The birdcalls of seagulls compliment our next move, Bird Flaps Its Wings, and our attention is drawn more fully into the soles of our feet.

Finding our center, we relax more deeply and settle into a gentle flow. As we move forward, letting the full weight flow smoothly into the front leg and foot, a focused awareness begins to build. Then the transition point arises, reversing the direction of weight shift and movement, with weight filling up the back leg and foot. We enter the Cosmic Rhythm together, letting go of individual preferences, becoming one.

One day in class, I experienced a kinesthetic awareness of what was happening in the soles of my feet. Perhaps you have also had this experience. Though I had on shoes and socks, I felt that I was barefoot, standing in warm sand at the beach. As I moved forward, my bare foot made an impression in the wet sand of a perfect footprint. By the time the movement had reversed, the surf had magically washed away the imprint, and only the smooth sand remained.

Each movement forward began the process again,

creating a distinct footprint in the sand,

with each toeoutlined,

only to disappear as I moved the weight back

and the surf washed awaythe footprint.

Now I use this visualization in TCC class to encourage students to make a complete weight shift forward and back. Many students find it helpful to imagine a footprint in the sand that disappears, only to be made again, each time they move forward.

This is a beautiful metaphor for life as well as TCC practice. We are here a short time. We have an opportunity to make an impression, a mark. Then it disappears. We can always make another mark; each time it becomes deeper, clearer, more ingrained in the here and now. Going with the flow, we experience the Life Force in a dynamic, supportive way that allows us to make our unique footprint in the sand during our lifetime. It is a reminder to us that we are human, that we are here now, and that we have an effect on what is going on and it is unique and beautiful.

During your TCC practice today, you are invited to enjoy the sensation of making a footprint in the sand.Listen to the inner ebb and flow of the Chi and merge with the deeper Rhythm of life. Notice the footprint in the sand; then, let it go.