Stand. Breathe. Relax. These are the words my tai chi teacher says to our class during the sixth lesson. Stand. Breathe. Relax. Even writing these words I can feel the tenseness in my body depart. So much noise and static that it is often hard to let the body be open to what is possible, to the divine. So, let me tell you a story. In September of this year I signed up for twelve lessons of tai chi ch’uan. I wanted to add this spiritual practice to my chanting, prayer and yoga. Chi or qi in the Mandarin dialect of Chinese literally means “air” or “breath”. The art of tai chi is said to improve the flow of Chi (Qi), the traditional Chinese concept of energy or life force. Who wouldn’t want to do that?!
Stand. Breathe. Relax.
Taking tai chi wasn’t a whim but something I had been thinking about for a long time. In 1985 during a visit with my friend Elisabeth Frolet at her parents home in Seillans, France I had my first glimpse of the practice. Her mom, Jacqueline, was taking tai chi lessons and asked me if I wanted to come along. My French wasn’t good enough to understand the instructor’s words but I could follow the movements. When I left Seillans it was with a book on tai chi and a desire to learn more. Much in life though is dependent not just on desire but on discipline and devotion. What path would this journey take?
Stand. Breathe. Relax.
Back home I searched but couldn’t find anyone teaching near me. Could it be I wasn’t ready yet? Years went by. As one of my sister-in-laws, a friend and an acquaintance began learning tai chi I was reminded it was still on my “things to do” list. In July 2011 my friend Debra Kolodny wrote about her tai chi practice on Facebook. There is something special about obtaining a teacher who has inspired someone you know. I asked who her teacher was and she told me about Mike Ward. There is an old adage, perhaps of Buddhist origin, that says “when the student is ready is the master will appear”. I felt I was getting closer.
Stand. Breathe. Relax.
It would take another year but at last I was on the path, enrolled and on my way to my first class. One last test. I thought I knew where the class was but when I showed up that turned out to not be the case. I called the instructor but got his answering machine. I emailed my friend in Portland on Facebook to no avail. I walked the streets asking anyone I saw but no luck. I decided to give up but still I kept walking. A car drove by and stopped. It was the mother of a student from six years ago and she wanted to say “hi” and wish me a happy Jewish new year. On a whim I asked if she knew where the class location of my class was. She drove me there. Luck? Fate? Kismet? In giving up had I relaxed and become open to the possible? Who can say.
I am learning now with a formal once a week lesson and
practice on my own. There are the principles of relax, body upright, separate
the weight, flexible waist and fair lady’s wrist/beautiful lady’s hand to
absorb. Each new posture taught builds on the previous one. I am learning just
like the young children I work with. After the first lesson I wanted to run
home and write a blog but I didn’t. I decided to wait. Now I have just finished
lesson ten and it is right to post some words. For me I have found tai chi is prayer that moves the body, it
is yoga dancing, it is a moving meditation and it is chanting without words. I am only beginning and yet that is enough. I have practiced at home and at my work. I have practiced in the midst of trees and leaves. I even practiced while waiting to vote in the presidential election. The week of Thanksgiving there was no class so no new posture. Instead we took a break to give thanks. Amen.
