Why Stillness?

T’ai Chi Chih is a meditative practice that alternates between movement and stillness. When learning the practice, one is usually focused on moving. We direct our attention to becoming familiar with each of the 19 movements and one pose. At first, the periods of stillness are filled with efforts to remember the movement’s order and details.

As we become more familiar with the practice, the time spent in stillness serves to help us feel the presence of Chi within the body and to integrate that Chi more fully. For me, stillness requires more focused discipline because I am more comfortable with movement than with stillness. The active person inside me has dismissed stillness as a waste of time.

As I intentionally increase the time spent in stillness, I recognize its necessity and learn that it is just as essential as the movements. Stillness invites me to connect with my body and its energy. Often, my sense of connection widens and deepens to include all of creation: past, present and future.

In a circle practice, the periods of stillness invite me to let in the Chi of the others in the circle. I sense each of us is more exposed and more vulnerable during the stillness. This exposure creates deep bonds among us. With each practice, I slowly increase my willingness to integrate periods of stillness into my daily activities. I then naturally and intuitively fall into stillness each day.