Working With Energy Management (Ener-chi Connections)

When first learning T’ai Chi Chih Joy Thru Movement, practitioners may report a pleasant tingling sensation in their hands. Often the hands may become heavy, feel either hot or cold to the touch, or become blochy or red. The senses become awakened as one gradually becomes aware to moving out of the “spell” of automatic thinking and responses. With further practice of movement, senses awaken throughout the body with itching, hot or cold flashes, a sense of numbness, and tingling throughout the upper and lower torso. The flow of the electrical current becomes sparked and the sensation of a gentle, consistent release of soothing tingling responses occurs from head to toe. These responses vary from one individual to another. One of my students, after weekly practices for 10 years, was preparing to move out of town. She was a cancer survivor. She stated that in all the years she had been working with me, she had humored my reflections on the sensory responses as she had never felt those sensations. She reported “I practice [the] T’ai Chi Chih [form] because I feel an overall sense of peace and serenity. I also know it will keep me healthy. That is what keeps me practicing.” Grateful for her honesty, I now let students know they may not feel anything but better! There is no ‘one-stated’ outcome for how one feels when practicing this movement. Just try it and see how YOU feel. All it takes is a willingness to learn something new.

As I have grown in understanding of how the ‘chi’ or life force works through the body, the originator of T’ai Chi Chih Joy Thru Movement—Justin F. Stone—has affirmed our knowledge base with the teachings he has learned from his travels to the East. When first accrediting teachers with this form, Justin would diminish our enthusiasm as our psychic senses were enhanced. He stated that each person has gifts which will be ignited by their practice of the T’ai Chi Chih movements. The true integrity of the chi will guide the person to mindfully follow the path of expression granted ‘the face they were before they were born.’ Often my students get impatient. “Tell me more about the meridians, give me the upgrade version of this form, you can’t possibly know everything by just doing these simple movements?!” were examples of the requests and demands. If students returned to classes after years of absence, comments such as: “Why didn’t you tell me that then?” might arise. After training with Justin for years, I would know how he would respond — “Why do you have five fingers?” With his Zen training, he answers questions with questions. With my nursing training, I answer questions with what I know and state “The chi continues to teach me. When you practice, more becomes known.”

Each of us has our own truth. Our truth may change as we grow in our understanding of life and the lessons we’ve chosen to work on this life time. It is the greatest gift to speak the truth as we know it—and then accept that our truth may change! Justin is true to what he knows, I am true to what I know. Being true to the self is what counts. In this way, we can accept and acknowledge differences. Intellectual battles decrease and power struggles dissipate. Fertile ground for self-growth in relationship to another is established.

I have been acclimated and under the spell of intellectual achievements and knowledge base accomplishments. Through the years I have discovered this can occupy my time completely. Does this bring happiness?

Often one’s habit energy patterns or vashanas with “doing,” achieving or over-achieving can gobble up one’s happiness. Like the little Pac-man video game… gobble gobble gobble. Does this bring success?

Who is in command of this one precious,
priceless life?
Who is the saboteur in your life?
And just where did you place those car keys?
Is your life mind-filled or mind-ful?

Giving oneself the opportunity to experience “serenity in the midst of activity” is not just about the outer environment—it is about the inner environment in our own mind/body. T’ai Chi Chih Joy Thru Movement has been a teacher to, in, and through me since 1978. The journey is an adventure, an awakening.

The breeze at morning has secrets to tell you—
don’t go back to sleep
– J. Rumi