We’re All In This Together

It’s the most common phrase out there these days. But if recent events haven’t irrevocably proven to all of us how much we’re connected, I don’t know what will.

I’ve been swamped with work since Delaware went into a state of emergency on March 12, transitioning all my classes over to the Zoom platform and trying to jump on as many potentially profound opportunities as possible (some unexpected things are starting to bubble up). Sometimes I feel more attached to my phone and computer than ever before (which is stressful), so from time to time I make the conscious decision to turn everything off and walk away. Like everyone I’m struggling with many things. But in general, I also see several amazingly bright sides to this completely unprecedented situation.

For instance, in the last two weeks I was thrilled when two of my oldest friends (who live far away) were able to enroll in my intro-level T’ai Chi Chih class. Plus, some of our wonderful teachers and two teacher trainers popped into some of my T’ai Chi for Veterans and Guided Practice classes. What a gift to spend time with some treasured friends while so much in the world seems completely topsy-turvy.

I’ve also shifted gears dramatically in my marketing: never before have I repeatedly hit home the value of TCC as clearly or as vehemently. If you are looking for language that works, here’s what I’ve been writing or saying at every possible opportunity.

I cannot overemphasize enough that the easiest yet potentially most fun way we can all stay healthy is by practicing T’ai Chi Chih. If you’re not already practicing daily here are a few compelling reasons why you “should”: 

• All T’ai Chi has repeatedly been proven to boost immunity, plus it’s instantly analgesic, elevates mood and, most importantly, just “gets you out of your head” for at least as long as you’re practicing.

• All T’ai Chi qualifies as exercise (which also boosts immunity), but TCC’s are the softest T’ai Chi movements of all so they cause no physical stress whatsoever.

• Hard science has proven that practicing any style of mindfulness also boosts immunity and TCC counts. TCC specifically has been labeled a moving mindfulness practice by Mayo Clinic, the American Medical Assn and the Arthritis Foundation. Cool, huh?!

• TCC may be the only T’ai Chi style (or “exercise,” frankly) that literally anyone can do: there are only 19 movements and one pose, no rules about doing all of them or in any particular order, and the entire practice can be performed from a chair or even mentally/intentionally. (I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to teach a quadriplegic.)

• Live T’ai Chi classes are not an option at this time, but more and more virtual options are popping up all the time (including my TCC classes). What have you got to lose – except stress?

Let’s say you want to give virtual classes a try yet the whole concept seems mysterious. No worries. Most of the time all you need to do is click on a link I’d email you once you register and answer yes to two simple questions.

You can also watch and learn the entire series broken down into chapters on my website, which also includes a complete, silent, mirrored practice by my wonderful teacher April and me. Follow along, stay healthy and do your part to flatten the curve.

Justin envisioned a time when something would propel TCC into the public eye. Last summer when the T’ai Chi for Veterans program was created I wondered if I was witnessing the very vehicle Justin foretold. But even just two months ago I wouldn’t have imagined a time when all internal Veteran’s Administration classes and activities would grind to a screeching halt. Yet several TC4V teachers switched gears to continue meeting veterans’ needs. (As of this writing only a few of us within the TC4V program are only teaching our treasured form.) Perhaps the perfect pebble has just been tossed, the ripple effect we’ve been hoping for has finally begun, and the TC4V program is simply the leading edge of what will one day become a tsunami of public health policy transformation. Can you imagine TCC being included in everyone’s definitions of “health” and “wellbeing”? I can.