The Lighter Side (May 2022)

From Sharon Sirkis, Columbia, Maryland

At the start of Around the Platter (or polish the plate, as one student calls it), an elderly lady and gentleman sitting side by side interlocked fingers, and then continued to move around the circle.

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When teaching Push Pull, one senior said, “I’d like to push away all my worries.” I asked, “What are you worried about?” Another senior piped in, “I’m worried about how much longer we’re going to be doing this; I’m tired!”

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During his last dental visit, one student found himself doing wrist circles when he realized his arms were too long for the dentist’s chair. (He said this relaxed him, and also gave him something to do.)

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I’m often amused at some of the places my students choose to practice T’ai Chi Chih (i.e., bathroom stall at work). One student told me he likes to do Pulling Taffy in the car. When he noticed my puzzled look, he explained that when he’s stopped at a red light, he’ll pull taffy with his right hand towards the passenger seat, and his left hand sails out the window.

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After emphasizing the importance of moving softly and slowly, Nell tells me she’s an AOL. “I don’t get it,” I say, “You mean America Online?” She laughs, “I mean Antsy Old Lady.”