The Lighter Side: Reprinted From Its March 1999 Debut

1. Sometimes I’ll equate the movements with everyday life. I taught Push Pull at a Senior Center and said, “What do you want to push away or get rid of?” Without missing a beat, one gentleman said loudly, “My wife!” (The most common answer is aches and pains, but this got a good laugh.)

2. At the end of class, I encourage students to sit still and ground the Chi. “Be aware of what’s happening in your body,” I said. After a few seconds one guy said, “The only thing I’m aware of right now is my bladder.”

3. Guest speaker Sharm Sinkis was listed in a newsletter where I was to present T’ai Chi Chih. Yes, that’s me they’re talking about.

4. After playing telephone tag, I finally spoke to a student who was interested in taking my class. He was frustrated that we couldn’t touch base sooner and said, “I decided to bag it.” So I said, “Well, can you unbag it or re-bag it?” He paused and said, “Well, I guess I could.” He took the class and it helped him a great deal.

5. During my accreditation at Carmel Retreat in Mahwah, New Jersey (July 1997), I tried to strike up a conversation with someone, unaware that he was on the last five days of a silent retreat. (He was very nice when he told me this.)

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