Tai Chi in the Dark

My yesterday was crammed with screens and by the end of the day my body was screaming to do something more active than sit. I considered a walk, even just around the block, but that would have involved getting changed into pants even though it was 9:30 and dark. My new moon vow involves getting back into my tai chi practice. So that was it then. Tai chi. I slipped on my outside tai chi shoes, the ones with the orangish plastic soles that are a touch too big, even though I intended to practice inside. Tai chi only requires the space of an oxen lying down.  Surprisingly not always easy to find in our house.

I told my hubby I was going to do tai chi "in the kitchen or in the middle room or..." "Outside?" he asked jokingly. I snapped my fingers. "Hey, you know what? Great idea."

​So the cats and I ventured outside into the night.  No rain. No wind. Perfect.

Day crammed with screens/ covid development/ tai chi in the dark/ Day 74 of #100daysofsybhaiku and day 104 of #365daysofsybwriting on instagram

I used to practice tai chi regularly for the past 15 years or so but have barely practiced at all since the pandemic. No idea why not, really. I'm very aware of how it grounds me, strengthens my body, calms my mind, stimulates my memory and just generally helps me cope so much better.

The form I practice (International 8 Form) takes 10 minutes at the most to run through 3 cycles.  Even adding in my favourite qigong from the 6 Form for Health Qigong only takes several minutes more. Who can resist 'white crane spreads its wings' or 'stroking the beard'? Nothing special is needed for tai chi, not the place, not the atmosphere, not the attire. I love my tai chi shoes and have three pairs but they're not necessary and I have done tai chi barefoot in my home and in winter boots on snow at the public boat launch. My tai chi instructor always made sure that his classes were the same all the time with nothing fancy about them so we didn't get locked into thinking that certain conditions had to be fulfilled before we could practice. Likewise, I have emphasised this approach in writing workshops so I get it and appreciate it.  However, I love to practice tai chi with incense burning and soothing oriental music in the background. But none of that is necessary. Another instructor has led free practices in the summer beside Lake Superior with taped music drifting on the breeze.

Used to be I would take tai chi however, whenever and whereever I could find it.

Last night I found it again in the chill of the dark night on my back deck.

Wishing you a beautifully balanced day.

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