“In motion the whole body should be light, alert, and fluid, moving like a string of pearls. The chi

[energy] should be active, but the spirit should remain centered and calm.” -Writing on the principles of T’ai Chi Chuan, by Yang Lu-Ch’an, 1799-1872; attributed to the ‘father of t’ai chi, Chang San Feng

The practice of t’ai chi has added a whole new world of mindfulness I never knew I could experience. T’ai chi is meditation-movement. The deep breathing and slow moves promote staying in the present moment but, more surprisingly, the practice drives awareness deep into my physical being. I ‘see’ my center of gravity, my ridgepole, my spine. My ridgepole is as straight as it can be, given my human form. My muscles hold me erect and strong as I extend the crown of my head up to the skies. Yet, fluidity is the key to my movement. Just like earthquake structures that shake and sway so as not to ‘break’, so too must I remain open to twisting, stretching and bending as I move through space.

I love the analogy of the spine as a string of pearls. Individual calcifications brought together, side by side, move as a coordinated whole. Each ‘pearl’ supports, directs the movement of its neighbor on the string. The string of pearls expresses the ultimate in flexibility. I visualize that same flexibility throughout my whole presence through the practice of t’ai chi.

 

Pearl

Round, smooth, unique, imperfect.

The smallest irritant. Not even noticed at first.

Mother recognizes a presence.

An irritant? Build up a defense…

 

It is present.

Time and efforts to isolate, keep separate.

We now become one.

Nestled. Grown. Cherished.