There is no way to describe it; all we can describe is their appearance.
They were careful as someone crossing an iced-over stream.
Alert as a warrior in enemy territory.
Courteous as a guest.
Fluid as melting ice.
Shapable as a block of wood.
Receptive as a valley.
Clear as a glass of water.
Tao Te Ching, verse 14, Stephen Mitchell trans.
Verse 14 has been on my mind recently; it’s a good description of the relaxed, balancing, and strength-building practice known as the Tai Chi walk. This foundational exercise is taught to Tai Chi students from day one. Recently, social media has dumbed it down and commodified it as way to lose weight and firm flabby derrieres--fast! This misses the point, of course. So, I decided to teach the Tai Chi walk in our classes last week, curious to see your reactions.
Tai Chi walking requires focus (alert as a warrior… as careful as someone crossing an iced over stream). Such focus has become a rare in today’s sped-up, distracting and externalized world. Tai Chi walking is done slowly, with care (courteous as a guest…fluid as melting ice): much slower than many of us are willing to move. It’s quite a challenge to maintain focus and relaxation, and alignment, and breath, all while moving as carefully and slowly as a “profound and subtle” Master!
Our fellow Qi-ster T.J. wrote to me that she practiced the Tai Chi walk this morning, outside on her deck. “After 10 minutes, my quads were talking to me! And those side glutes someone mentioned at class, oh yeah, this will keep them from atrophy!” So yes, along with developing the peaceful wisdom of a Master, you WILL build strength, especially in the hip and leg muscles that allow us to stand securely on one foot as the other moves forward to take a step. That does indeed count as derriere firming, but also as a technique to encourage reliable, natural balance among the body, mind, and spirit. So, if you find yourself growing bored or distracted by Tai Chi walking, try to remain as “receptive as a valley”. Soon it’s benefits will be as clear to you as that glass of water.
