Why did I start Tai Chi? I heard a call inside of me for it and I just followed it. It was “a feeling” or intuition that this is exactly what I need.
How do I feel when I practise Tai Chi? Every time when I finish the Tai Chi practice, I feel joy in my heart. No matter how tired I am at the beginning of the practice, at the end the feeling inside and the state of mind is completely different, meaning better 😊 It is almost like my heart is singing by itself. I do not understand anything of Tai Chi, I do not recall the names of the movements and I honestly don’t bother much about it. I just feel it. The joy is more important than understanding or knowing with the mind, for me at least.
Aron says we write history every minute of our lives. I had the chance to realize the truth behind these words. The feelings during Tai Chi practice are different every time. Sometime intense, sometimes very smooth – almost like silk or air – sometimes very fast appearing and disappearing, and sometimes they last longer.
Today, we did the first section four times in a row. The feelings were amazing. Usually, my movements are pretty fast. In order to practise slower than usually, I decided to give time to my mind to notice every detail of the changes in my body during the movements. I was surprised. Some parts of the body were totally relaxed, while others were very active. I discovered tiny muscles that I didn’t know that I have, the way the layers of subtle muscles from the spine/back and ponytail or from the abdomen changed gradually their state from tension to relaxation and … a little more. Something for which I do not have a name yet. It was more then joy. By the time we reached the third repetition of the first section, it was like my neck and my head were like a big fire, or like a spring of water spreading joyfully endless “light” in all directions. It was like all the previous practice was a preparation for this moment.
Very precious experience!
Thank you Sifu for patiently guiding me.
21st November 2020
Report of today’s practice, 22nd Jan 2022
My right shoulder was injured today; therefore, I did not expect to do much in this lesson. However, to my surprise, I have learned quite a great deal. It will be a lesson to remember.
Firstly, I remembered a lesson learned not too long ago: how I have taken for granted what I have (the body and health, for example). More importantly, I noticed today in Tai-Chi dance how apparently tiny movements, need much more than just the one segment of the body which seems to be moving. Every movement in Tai-Chi involves the whole body. Although I felt this truth before, now I know it beyond any doubt. The shoulder impairment was a great teacher.
Secondly, I realized how some stances should be felt in the body; I mean those stances when the arm should be fully relaxed. Due to the pain, it was easy just to let the arm be and put no intention/action in it.
Thirdly, there were moments during the dance when I felt like my both arms were moving along, although I could clearly see that my right arm wasn’t moving at all. It was like I had a right arm made of energy which moved alongside with the left arm.
Thank you Sifu for the inspiring lesson!
Dance report 11th December 2021.
I felt almost immediately after the start of the dance a feeling of calm joy which filled my being. Afterwards, there were moments when my mind was caught in some thoughts, I gently left them be and returned my attention to the Dance and the movements and the feelings inside. I noticed that even if the Dance has been practised many times, sometimes it seems like doing it for the first time. I guess something changes in between the practices and the new “me” is relearning/redoing the dance again.
At some point, I felt a tingling sensation in my hands which extended in the air around the hands as well.
Thank you Sifu for the practice and the teachings. I am also grateful to the group, for our practice and learning together. This is very precious.